Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Hagerstown, MD: $67,781 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Hagerstown, MD earns a median $67,781/year (≈ $32.59/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Hagerstown's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 94.2), that paycheck buys what $71,977 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 11.7% below the Maryland state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the projected physical therapist assistant salary in Hagerstown is set at $67,781, slightly below the national median of $70,247. This reflects a broader shift in the market following the 15% cut in Medicare reimbursement rates, particularly impacting skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and outpatient settings. The salary range for physical therapist assistants in this area spans from $49,588 at the 10th percentile to $77,777 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse spectrum of pay based on experience, setting, and productivity demands. This data is derived from official BLS OEWS surveys and highlights ongoing adjustments in the local healthcare economy.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,588 | $23.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,313 | $29.00 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $67,781 | $32.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,215 | $36.64 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77,777 | $37.39 |
Median Salary Position
3.51% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hagerstown
In Hagerstown, MD, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,189 (2026 est.). At $67,781, the local median is 3.51% below the national median of $70,247.
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How Hagerstown Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Hagerstown median: $67,781/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hagerstown Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland Average | $76,762 | -11.70% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -3.51% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Hagerstown, MD earn a median of $67,781 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.51% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 11.70% below the Maryland state average of $76,762.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hagerstown has a cost of living 5.83% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Hagerstown, MD has a cost-of-living index of 94.171 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $67,781 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $71,977 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.19% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$59,630
2025 BLS Actual
$65,980
2026 Current Est.
$67,781
2019–2027 Growth
+16.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Hagerstown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,630 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,720 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,940 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,800 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,320 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,760 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,980 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,781 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,632 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hagerstown metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 10.6% from $59,630 (2019) to $65,980 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,632 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,002 (16.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hagerstown 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) | $49,588 – $60,313 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,313 – $67,781 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $67,781 – $76,215 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,215 – $77,777 |
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 Hagerstown
The job market in Hagerstown for physical therapist assistants remains robust, with approximately 120 professionals currently employed in the area. However, the cost of living index stands at 94.171, indicating that while salaries may be lower than the national average, purchasing power is still relatively favorable. Employers in Hagerstown such as outpatient orthopedic clinics and inpatient rehabilitation hospitals tend to offer the highest salaries, while skilled nursing facilities may pay less due to the recent Medicare cuts. Factors such as weekend and PRN work premiums and supervisory obligations further contribute to salary disparities. To maximize earnings, aspiring physical therapist assistants in Hagerstown should seek opportunities in higher-paying outpatient settings or consider gaining additional certifications that may elevate their market value.
More salary data for Hagerstown, 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 $65,980 for physical therapist assistantsin the Hagerstown 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