Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Baltimore, MD: $81,414 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Baltimore, MD earns a median $81,414/year (≈ $39.14/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Baltimore's price level (4% above national, BEA RPP 104.5), that paycheck buys what $77,918 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.0% above the Maryland state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Baltimore, Maryland, the median annual salary for a physical therapist assistant is projected to be $81,414 in 2026, which is notably higher than the national median of $70,247. The salary range for this profession varies significantly, with entry-level positions earning approximately $38,329, while experienced practitioners can make as much as $92,919. These figures stem from data based on 2025 BLS OEWS projections, reflecting the effectiveness and productivity expectations tied to visits-per-day in outpatient settings. Given the dynamic healthcare landscape in Baltimore, there are numerous career opportunities for physical therapist assistants, especially for those who can meet high productivity standards and engage in varied treatment settings.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,329 | $18.43 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63,549 | $30.55 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $81,414 | $39.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $85,667 | $41.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $92,919 | $44.68 |
Median Salary Position
15.90% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Baltimore
In Baltimore, MD, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $54,590 (2026 est.). At $81,414, the local median is 15.9% above the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Baltimore: You'd be in the upper quartile
How Baltimore Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Baltimore median: $81,414/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Baltimore Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland Average | $76,805 | +6.00% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | +15.90% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Baltimore, MD earn a median of $81,414 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.90% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 6.00% above the Maryland state average of $76,805.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Baltimore has a cost of living 4.49% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Baltimore, MD has a cost-of-living index of 104.487 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $81,414 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $77,918 — a 4.29% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,480
2025 BLS Actual
$79,250
2026 Current Est.
$81,414
2019–2027 Growth
+56.4%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Baltimore (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,480 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,130 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,350 | Actual |
| 2022 | $67,060 | Actual |
| 2023 | $73,610 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,960 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,250 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,414 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83,636 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Baltimore metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 48.2% from $53,480 (2019) to $79,250 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $83,636 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,156 (56.39%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Baltimore 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) | $38,329 – $63,549 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $63,549 – $81,414 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $81,414 – $85,667 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $85,667 – $92,919 |
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 Baltimore
With around 620 physical therapist assistants employed in the Baltimore area, the local job market shows promising opportunities albeit against a backdrop of a higher cost of living, represented by a cost-of-living index of 104.487. This means take-home pay should be carefully calculated against living expenses, especially in London where housing and transportation can be substantial. Outpatient orthopedic clinics tend to offer the highest salaries among local employers, followed by skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehab settings. The pay disparity often hinges on factors such as the setting of employment, productivity requirements, and the supervision structure mandated by state law. The 15% Medicare cut affecting PTA services has placed additional pressure on pay rates, particularly in Medicare-dependent facilities. To maximize earning potential in Baltimore, practical strategies include seeking employment in outpatient settings, pursuing further education such as a DPT, and remaining flexible with job roles that adapt to market demand.
More salary data for Baltimore, MD:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $79,250 for physical therapist assistantsin the Baltimore 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