Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Central, LA: $64,162 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Central, LA earns a median $64,162/year (≈ $30.85/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Central's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.3), that paycheck buys what $71,054 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.9% below the Louisiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
A physical therapist assistant salary in Central, LA, is projected to reach a median annual figure of $64,162 in 2026, reflecting the unique dynamics of the local healthcare market. Compensation varies across the spectrum, with entry-level positions earning around $47,786 while seasoned professionals can command salaries as high as $81,932. Such estimates are drawn from 2025 BLS data, adjusted to reflect regional economic conditions, including the local cost of living index. The productivity expectations tied to visits per day play a significant role in shaping effective compensation, as clinics strive to maximize revenue through efficient utilization of their staff.
About the Central Market
Salary estimated from Louisiana average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,786 | $22.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57,882 | $27.83 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,162 | $30.85 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73,272 | $35.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81,932 | $39.39 |
Median Salary Position
8.66% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Central
In Central, LA, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,146 (2026 est.). At $64,162, the local median is 8.66% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Central: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Central Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Central median: $64,162/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Central Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Average | $66,766 | -3.90% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -8.66% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Central, LA earn a median of $64,162 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.66% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 3.90% below the Louisiana state average of $66,766.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Central has a cost of living 9.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Central, LA has a cost-of-living index of 90.3 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $64,162 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $71,054 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.74% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,698
2025 BLS Actual
$62,457
2026 Current Est.
$64,162
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Central (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,698 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,593 | Actual |
| 2021 | $55,881 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,333 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,529 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,783 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,457 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,162 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,914 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Central metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $53,698 (2019) to $62,457 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,914 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,216 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Central metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.73% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $47,786 – $57,882 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $57,882 – $64,162 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,162 – $73,272 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $73,272 – $81,932 |
PTA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Assistant Job Market in Central
The job market for physical therapist assistants in Central is small, with only five professionals currently employed in the area. Despite its modest size, the local market is characterized by a cost of living index of 90.3, indicating lower expenses compared to the national average, which can enhance take-home purchasing power. Outpatient orthopedic clinics typically offer the highest pay among employers in Central, followed by skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehab settings. The disparity in wages can be attributed to multiple factors, including the specific work setting, productivity pressures, and the impact of the 15% CMS cut on reimbursement for PTA services. To maximize earning potential in Central, aspiring PTAs should consider employment in more lucrative settings and prioritize continuing education or pathways to transition into higher-level positions such as DPT, which can lead to greater financial rewards.
More salary data for Central, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Central, LA in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Central?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Central?
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Related Pages
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Written by Jordan Lee, DPT
Career Analyst
Jordan has 10 years of experience in outpatient physical therapy. They specialize in orthopedic rehabilitation. Jordan works in a private practice setting.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $62,457 for physical therapist assistantsin the Central metropolitan area. A 2.73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Central is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.73%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physical therapist assistants (SOC 31-2021).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, DPT, a licensed physical therapist assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov