Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Dartmouth, MA: $76,691 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Dartmouth, MA earns a median $76,691/year (≈ $36.87/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Dartmouth's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $70,683 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.6% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physical therapist assistants in Dartmouth, Massachusetts can expect to earn a median annual salary of $76,691. This figure is notably higher than the national median of $70,247, reflecting a positive trend in local compensation for this profession. The salary range for this role in the area spans from $52,867 at the 10th percentile to $99,800 at the 90th percentile, indicating diverse earning potentials based on experience, setting, and productivity levels. These estimates are derived from BLS state-level data and regional price adjustments, reinforcing the competitive nature of the physical therapist assistant pay in Dartmouth, MA, particularly as the job market continues to strengthen.
About the Dartmouth Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,867 | $25.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65,807 | $31.64 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $76,691 | $36.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $88,951 | $42.77 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $99,800 | $47.99 |
Median Salary Position
9.17% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dartmouth
In Dartmouth, MA, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $46,933 (2026 est.). At $76,691, the local median is 9.17% above the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Dartmouth: You'd be above the median
How Dartmouth Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Dartmouth median: $76,691/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Dartmouth Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $78,738 | -2.60% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | +9.17% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Dartmouth, MA earn a median of $76,691 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.17% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 2.60% below the Massachusetts state average of $78,738.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Dartmouth has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Dartmouth, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $76,691 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $70,683 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$64,183
2025 BLS Actual
$74,653
2026 Current Est.
$76,691
2019–2027 Growth
+22.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Dartmouth (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,183 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,253 | Actual |
| 2021 | $66,792 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,528 | Actual |
| 2023 | $69,959 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,095 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,653 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,691 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78,785 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Dartmouth metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $64,183 (2019) to $74,653 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $78,785 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,602 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dartmouth 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) | $52,867 – $65,807 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $65,807 – $76,691 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $76,691 – $88,951 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $88,951 – $99,800 |
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 Dartmouth
Currently, there are five physical therapist assistants employed in Dartmouth, suggesting a niche but stable job market within the region. The cost of living index in this area stands at 108.5, which is slightly above the national average, impacting purchasing power for local practitioners. Areas of highest compensation typically include outpatient orthopedic clinics and hospital inpatient rehab, where productivity demands and patient volume drive pay rates. Disparities in compensation can be attributed to various factors including the work setting, weekend or PRN pay differentials, and the recent Medicare cuts that have affected reimbursement rates in skilled nursing facilities and outpatient settings. To maximize earning potential in Dartmouth, aspiring physical therapist assistants should consider pursuing roles in higher-paying settings, gaining additional certification, or exploring PTA-to-DPT bridge pathways for greater advancement opportunities.
More salary data for Dartmouth, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Dartmouth?
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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 $74,653 for physical therapist assistantsin the Dartmouth 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 Dartmouth 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