Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Maine: $67,468 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Maine's 10 metropolitan areas, the average median physical therapist assistant pay sits at $67,468/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-2021. Because Maine sits at BEA RPP 99.6 (0% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $67,739 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Lewiston ($68,190), Auburn ($68,171), Portland ($67,140).
If you're considering a career as a physical therapist assistant in Maine, the projected average median salary for 2026 is $67,469, which is about 4.0% lower than the national median of $70,247. The salary landscape varies significantly across the state; Lewiston offers the highest average salary at $70,052, while Bangor has the lowest at $62,758, creating a salary gap of $7,294. This difference is primarily driven by local demand, cost of living variations, and the concentration of healthcare facilities. Maine's licensing requirements and scope of practice laws are essential to understand, as they impact job responsibilities and eligibility. The job market for physical therapist assistants in the state is expected to grow at an annual rate of 2.73%, indicating steady demand for these professionals. Currently, the total number employed in this role stands at 275. Top cities for employment opportunities, besides Lewiston, include Auburn at $70,032, Portland at $68,973, South Portland at $68,678, and Scarborough at $66,754. Understanding these dynamics will help you make informed career decisions in the field of physical therapy assistance in Maine.
Maine Physical Therapist Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in Maine: $38,596 (lowest entry-level) to $88,413 (highest top earner)
Maine vs National Average
Maine physical therapist assistants earn 3.96% less than the national median ($-2,779/year difference).
Maine Physical Therapist Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Physical Therapist Assistant salaries in Maine range from $54,594 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $79,587 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $67,468. The Maine median is $2,779 below the US national median of $70,247. The average hourly rate is $32.44/hr. Approximately 275 physical therapist assistants are employed across 10 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$54,750
2025 BLS Actual
$65,676
2026 Current Est.
$67,468
2019–2027 Growth
+26.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Maine (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,750 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,174 | Actual |
| 2021 | $52,601 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,672 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,322 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,133 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,676 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,468 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,310 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Maine metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 20.0% from $54,750 (2019) to $65,676 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,310 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,560 (26.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Maine 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Maine
Lowest Paying Cities in Maine
Best Value Cities for Physical Therapist Assistants in Maine
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Maine cities offer the most purchasing power for physical therapist assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lewiston | $70,052 | 94.736 | $73,944 |
| Auburn | $70,032 | 99.6 | $70,313 |
| South Portland | $68,678 | 99.6 | $68,954 |
| Portland | $68,973 | 101.858 | $67,715 |
| Scarborough | $66,754 | 99.6 | $67,022 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Maine
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $54,594 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $67,468 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $79,587 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Maine metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 10 Cities in Maine
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lewiston | $70,052 |
| 2 | Auburn | $70,032 |
| 3 | Portland | $68,973 |
| 4 | South Portland | $68,678 |
| 5 | Scarborough | $66,754 |
| 6 | Biddeford | $66,196 |
| 7 | Augusta | $65,975 |
| 8 | Sanford | $65,360 |
| 9 | Brunswick | $64,744 |
| 10 | Bangor | $62,758 |
More Maine Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore physical therapist assistant hourly pay in Maine cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced physical therapist assistants.
Explore More Physical Therapist Assistant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Maine in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for physical therapist assistants in Maine?
How does Maine physical therapist assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level physical therapist assistant salary in Maine?
How many physical therapist assistants are employed in Maine?
Which Maine city offers the best value for physical therapist assistants?
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
Statewide 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. A 2.73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 physical therapist assistant compensation across Maine. State averages are employment-weighted across 10 metro areas — larger metro areas with more physical therapist assistantscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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