Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Cambridge, MA: $80,652 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Cambridge, MA earns a median $80,652/year (≈ $38.77/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Cambridge's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $74,334 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.4% above the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physical therapist assistants in Cambridge, Massachusetts, can expect a median annual salary of $80,652, significantly outpacing the national benchmark of $70,247 by 14.81%. This figure reflects a salary range from $53,338 at the 10th percentile to $105,955 at the 90th percentile, indicating a healthy wage structure influenced by various healthcare settings. Local estimates draw from 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional cost of living to account for Cambridge's unique market conditions. As the outpatient landscape evolves post-Medicare cuts, the job landscape demonstrates an adaptive shift, creating diverse opportunities for physical therapist assistants.
About the Cambridge Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,338 | $25.64 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $67,841 | $32.62 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $80,652 | $38.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $93,056 | $44.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $105,955 | $50.94 |
Median Salary Position
14.81% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cambridge
In Cambridge, MA, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $52,617 (2026 est.). At $80,652, the local median is 14.81% above the national median of $70,247.
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At 40 hours/week in Cambridge: You'd be above the median
How Cambridge Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Cambridge median: $80,652/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cambridge Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $78,762 | +2.40% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | +14.81% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Cambridge, MA earn a median of $80,652 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.81% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 2.40% above the Massachusetts state average of $78,762.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cambridge has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cambridge, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $80,652 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $74,334 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$67,498
2025 BLS Actual
$78,509
2026 Current Est.
$80,652
2019–2027 Growth
+22.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Cambridge (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $67,498 | Actual |
| 2020 | $68,624 | Actual |
| 2021 | $70,242 | Actual |
| 2022 | $72,068 | Actual |
| 2023 | $73,572 | Actual |
| 2024 | $77,017 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,509 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80,652 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $82,854 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cambridge metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $67,498 (2019) to $78,509 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $82,854 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,356 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cambridge 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) | $53,338 – $67,841 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $67,841 – $80,652 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $80,652 – $93,056 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $93,056 – $105,955 |
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 Cambridge
Currently, Cambridge employs 22 physical therapist assistants, reflecting a competitive job market amid the reality of a cost-of-living index of 108.5, which suggests that salaries need to keep pace with higher living expenses. To maximize earning potential, PTAs should consider employment in outpatient orthopedic clinics, which typically offer the most competitive pay, and explore positions in hospital inpatient rehab or home health settings that may provide additional compensation during weekends or PRN work. The 15% Medicare reimbursement cut has particularly pressured salaries in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), pushing wages for PTAs in those settings to the lower end of the spectrum. Understanding the regional dynamics and leveraging opportunities for supervision and productivity bonuses can help satisfy the higher cost of living while advancing a career in this thriving sector within Cambridge, MA.
More salary data for Cambridge, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Cambridge, MA in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Cambridge?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Cambridge?
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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 $78,509 for physical therapist assistantsin the Cambridge 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 Cambridge 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