Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Lake Charles, LA: $66,312 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Lake Charles, LA earns a median $66,312/year (≈ $31.88/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Lake Charles's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.9), that paycheck buys what $77,240 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% below the Louisiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
The physical therapist assistant salary in Lake Charles, LA, is projected to be $66,312 in 2026, reflecting a competitive position in the broader job market. This figure is approximately 5.60% below the national median of $70,247, indicating a need for local PTAs to stay informed on productivity expectations given the nature of their work. The salary range for physical therapist assistants in the area spans from $22,005 at the lower end to $80,777 at the higher end, suggesting varying compensation based on experience, setting, and responsibilities. This data is drawn from official Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS surveys and highlights the importance of productivity, with effective case management over a typical day impacting overall compensation outcomes significantly.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22,005 | $10.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $33,778 | $16.24 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $66,312 | $31.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79,369 | $38.15 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,777 | $38.84 |
Median Salary Position
5.6% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lake Charles
In Lake Charles, LA, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $58,772 (2026 est.). At $66,312, the local median is 5.6% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lake Charles: You'd be in the upper quartile
How Lake Charles Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Lake Charles median: $66,312/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lake Charles Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Average | $66,780 | -0.70% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -5.60% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Lake Charles, LA earn a median of $66,312 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.60% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 0.70% below the Louisiana state average of $66,780.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lake Charles has a cost of living 14.15% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lake Charles, LA has a cost-of-living index of 85.852 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $66,312 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $77,240 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.48% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$43,200
2025 BLS Actual
$64,550
2026 Current Est.
$66,312
2019–2027 Growth
+57.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Lake Charles (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,200 | Actual |
| 2020 | $35,020 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,900 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,180 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,950 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,640 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,550 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,312 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,123 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lake Charles metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 49.4% from $43,200 (2019) to $64,550 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,123 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,923 (57.69%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lake Charles 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) | $22,005 – $33,778 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $33,778 – $66,312 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $66,312 – $79,369 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $79,369 – $80,777 |
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 Lake Charles
In Lake Charles, approximately 100 physical therapist assistants are employed, indicating a stable job market within the region. With a cost-of-living index remarkably lower than the national average at 85.852, PTAs may find their purchasing power stronger than suggested by the nominal salary figures. The most lucrative opportunities often lie within outpatient orthopedic clinics, specifically chains and private facilities, followed by skilled nursing facilities. Variability in pay can be influenced by workplace settings, productivity demands, and the impact of the recent Medicare reimbursement cuts, which have affected both outpatient and SNF environments. To enhance earning potential, aspiring physical therapist assistants should consider roles in higher-paying settings, pursue additional certifications, and seek opportunities for advanced education through PTA-to-DPT bridge pathways, all while staying attuned to the evolving job landscape in Lake Charles.
More salary data for Lake Charles, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Lake Charles?
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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 $64,550 for physical therapist assistantsin the Lake Charles 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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