Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Wheaton, MD: $76,769 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Wheaton, MD earns a median $76,769/year (≈ $36.91/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Wheaton's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 109.3), that paycheck buys what $70,237 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Maryland state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physical therapist assistants in Wheaton, Maryland, can expect a median annual salary of $76,769, reflecting a competitive increase over national figures. The salary range spans from $52,041 at the 10th percentile to $99,195 at the 90th percentile, highlighting a diverse earning potential based on experience and job setting. These estimates, derived from state-level BLS data and adjusted for local cost of living, provide a compelling picture of what this profession can offer. With the area employing 11 physical therapist assistants, the local market reflects a respectable demand for these professionals, which can be influenced by productivity expectations and visit volumes per day.
About the Wheaton Market
Salary estimated from Maryland average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,041 | $25.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65,408 | $31.45 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $76,769 | $36.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $87,894 | $42.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $99,195 | $47.69 |
Median Salary Position
9.28% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wheaton
In Wheaton, MD, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,154 (2026 est.). At $76,769, the local median is 9.28% above the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wheaton: You'd be above the median
How Wheaton Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Wheaton median: $76,769/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wheaton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $70,247 | +9.28% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Wheaton, MD earn a median of $76,769 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.28% higher than the national median of $70,247.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wheaton has a cost of living 9.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wheaton, MD has a cost-of-living index of 109.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $76,769 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $70,237 — a 8.51% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$64,249
2025 BLS Actual
$74,729
2026 Current Est.
$76,769
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Wheaton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,249 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,320 | Actual |
| 2021 | $66,860 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,598 | Actual |
| 2023 | $70,030 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,314 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,729 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,769 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78,865 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wheaton metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $64,249 (2019) to $74,729 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $78,865 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,616 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wheaton 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) | $52,041 – $65,408 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $65,408 – $76,769 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $76,769 – $87,894 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $87,894 – $99,195 |
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 Wheaton
The cost of living in Wheaton, MD, is indexed at 109.3, indicating a higher-than-average expense that can affect take-home pay for practitioners. Various employers, particularly outpatient orthopedic clinics, tend to offer more competitive salaries compared to settings like skilled nursing facilities, which have faced challenges due to the CMS 15% cut impacting Medicare reimbursements. This disparity in pay is often influenced by factors such as work setting, productivity expectations, and the premium for weekend or PRN roles. To maximize earnings in this specific market, physical therapist assistants should consider pursuing opportunities with outpatient clinics or enhancing skills through continuing education, potentially bridging to a DPT program for further advancement within the field. Understanding local demand and payment structures can empower these professionals to make informed career choices in Wheaton.
More salary data for Wheaton, 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 $74,729 for physical therapist assistantsin the Wheaton 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
Salary data for Wheaton is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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