Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Maryland: $78,371 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Maryland's 28 metropolitan areas, the average median physical therapist assistant pay sits at $78,371/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-2021. Because Maryland sits at BEA RPP 109.3 (9% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $71,703 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Columbia ($80,680), Baltimore ($79,250), Towson ($78,943).
In 2026, the average median salary for physical therapist assistants in Maryland is projected to be $78,371, which is 11.6% higher than the national median of $70,247. The highest paying city in Maryland is Columbia, where salaries can reach $82,883, while Hagerstown offers the lowest average at $67,781, resulting in a salary gap of $15,102. This difference can be attributed to various factors, including cost of living, local demand for healthcare services, and the concentration of medical facilities in metropolitan areas. Maryland has specific licensing requirements and laws that govern the scope of practice for physical therapist assistants, which can affect job opportunities and earnings potential. There is a steady demand for these professionals, reflected in a projected growth rate of 2.73% annually for this occupation. With 1,113 physical therapist assistants currently employed in the state, the job market is expected to remain stable, particularly in metropolitan areas like Baltimore, which has a projected average salary of $81,414, and Towson at $81,098. This consistent growth and competitive salaries make Maryland a significant market for physical therapist assistants.
Maryland Physical Therapist Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in Maryland: $35,863 (lowest entry-level) to $110,386 (highest top earner)
Maryland vs National Average
Maryland physical therapist assistants earn 11.56% more than the national median (+$8,124/year difference).
Maryland Physical Therapist Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Physical Therapist Assistant salaries in Maryland range from $43,253 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $92,464 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $78,371. The Maryland median is $8,124 above the US national median of $70,247. The average hourly rate is $37.68/hr. Approximately 1,113 physical therapist assistants are employed across 28 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$56,068
2025 BLS Actual
$76,288
2026 Current Est.
$78,371
2019–2027 Growth
+43.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Maryland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,068 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,204 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,924 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,123 | Actual |
| 2023 | $70,856 | Actual |
| 2024 | $65,446 | Actual |
| 2025 | $76,288 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78,371 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80,510 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Maryland metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 36.1% from $56,068 (2019) to $76,288 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $80,510 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,442 (43.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Maryland 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 Maryland
Lowest Paying Cities in Maryland
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Hagerstown | $67,781 |
| Cumberland | $71,067 |
| Greenbelt | $72,695 |
| Laurel | $72,936 |
| Catonsville | $73,305 |
Best Value Cities for Physical Therapist Assistants in Maryland
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Maryland cities offer the most purchasing power for physical therapist assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salisbury | $77,428 | 95.617 | $80,977 |
| Lexington Park | $78,619 | 100.76 | $78,026 |
| Baltimore | $81,414 | 104.487 | $77,918 |
| Columbia | $82,883 | 109.3 | $75,831 |
| Towson | $81,098 | 109.3 | $74,198 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Maryland
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $43,253 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $78,371 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $92,464 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Maryland metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 28 Cities in Maryland
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Columbia | $82,883 |
| 2 | Baltimore | $81,414 |
| 3 | Towson | $81,098 |
| 4 | Lexington Park | $78,619 |
| 5 | Aspen Hill | $77,845 |
| 6 | Salisbury | $77,428 |
| 7 | Gaithersburg | $77,340 |
| 8 | Germantown | $77,286 |
| 9 | Ellicott City | $77,109 |
| 10 | Waldorf | $77,030 |
| 11 | Wheaton | $76,769 |
| 12 | Bowie | $76,403 |
| 13 | Glen Burnie | $76,167 |
| 14 | Frederick | $75,115 |
| 15 | Annapolis | $75,099 |
| 16 | Severn | $75,097 |
| 17 | College Park | $74,950 |
| 18 | Rockville | $74,853 |
| 19 | Silver Spring | $74,816 |
| 20 | Potomac | $74,461 |
| 21 | Bethesda | $74,160 |
| 22 | Dundalk | $74,160 |
| 23 | Odenton | $73,907 |
| 24 | Catonsville | $73,305 |
| 25 | Laurel | $72,936 |
| 26 | Greenbelt | $72,695 |
| 27 | Cumberland | $71,067 |
| 28 | Hagerstown | $67,781 |
More Maryland Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore physical therapist assistant hourly pay in Maryland 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 Maryland in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for physical therapist assistants in Maryland?
How does Maryland physical therapist assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level physical therapist assistant salary in Maryland?
How many physical therapist assistants are employed in Maryland?
Which Maryland 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 Maryland. State averages are employment-weighted across 28 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