Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Lawrence, MA: $76,782 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Lawrence, MA earns a median $76,782/year (≈ $36.91/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Lawrence's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $70,767 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.5% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the physical therapist assistant salary in Lawrence, Massachusetts is projected to reach a median of $76,782, surpassing the national median by 9.30%. The local pay range extends from $55,136 at the 10th percentile to $100,270 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, take into account regional price adjustments within the cost of living index, which currently stands at 108.5, indicating a higher-than-average expense of living in Lawrence. Such figures are reflective of the competitive nature of the local job market, which requires physical therapist assistants to manage productivity expectations that often drive compensation levels.
About the Lawrence Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $55,136 | $26.50 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $67,734 | $32.57 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $76,782 | $36.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $90,224 | $43.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $100,270 | $48.21 |
Median Salary Position
9.30% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lawrence
In Lawrence, MA, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $45,134 (2026 est.). At $76,782, the local median is 9.3% above the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lawrence: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lawrence Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Lawrence median: $76,782/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lawrence Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $78,751 | -2.50% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | +9.30% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Lawrence, MA earn a median of $76,782 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.30% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 2.50% below the Massachusetts state average of $78,751.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lawrence has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lawrence, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $76,782 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $70,767 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$64,260
2025 BLS Actual
$74,742
2026 Current Est.
$76,782
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Lawrence (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,260 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,331 | Actual |
| 2021 | $66,872 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,610 | Actual |
| 2023 | $70,042 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,185 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,742 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,782 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78,879 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lawrence metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $64,260 (2019) to $74,742 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $78,879 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,619 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lawrence 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) | $55,136 – $67,734 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $67,734 – $76,782 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $76,782 – $90,224 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $90,224 – $100,270 |
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 Lawrence
With only 16 physical therapist assistants currently employed in Lawrence, the local job market remains tight. The cost of living affects take-home pay, as those earning in the lower spectrum of the scale may find their real earnings diminished. Outpatient orthopedic clinics typically offer higher wages compared to skilled nursing facilities, which have seen compressed budgets due to the 15% Medicare cut in outpatient and SNF settings. Factors like weekend shifts or PRN work can further boost compensation and are increasingly sought after by employers. To maximize earnings in this specific market, PTAs should consider diversifying their skill sets to include specialties that are in demand and pursue opportunities in settings that prioritize productivity and reimbursement rates, such as outpatient care, while maintaining compliance with required supervisory standards as established by the APTA.
More salary data for Lawrence, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Lawrence?
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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 $74,742 for physical therapist assistantsin the Lawrence 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 Lawrence 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