Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Mississippi: $62,292 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Mississippi's 20 metropolitan areas, the average median physical therapist assistant pay sits at $62,292/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-2021. Because Mississippi sits at BEA RPP 85.7 (14% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $72,686 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Biloxi ($62,549), Jackson ($62,100), Gulfport ($61,820).
In 2026, the average median salary for physical therapist assistants in Mississippi is projected to be $62,292, which is 11.3% lower than the national median of $70,247. The highest paying city, Biloxi, offers salaries around $64,257, while Clinton, the lowest paying city, has a median of $55,352, resulting in a salary gap of $8,905. This disparity may be influenced by local cost of living, healthcare demand, and the concentration of job opportunities in different regions. Mississippi requires physical therapist assistants to hold state licensure, which involves passing the National Physical Therapy Exam and meeting educational requirements. The scope of practice laws in the state allow assistants to work under licensed physical therapists, facilitating efficient patient care. The demand for this role is driven by an aging population and an increasing focus on rehabilitation services, contributing to a projected annual growth rate of 2.73% in the field. The job market for physical therapist assistants in Mississippi is stable, with a total of 650 positions reported. Key cities for employment in 2026 include Jackson at $63,795, Gulfport at $63,508, Hattiesburg at $60,210, and Pearl at $59,632, reflecting a healthy demand within the state's healthcare sector.
Mississippi Physical Therapist Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in Mississippi: $32,196 (lowest entry-level) to $80,766 (highest top earner)
Mississippi vs National Average
Mississippi physical therapist assistants earn 11.32% less than the national median ($-7,955/year difference).
Mississippi Physical Therapist Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Physical Therapist Assistant salaries in Mississippi range from $46,346 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $76,996 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $62,292. The Mississippi median is $7,955 below the US national median of $70,247. The average hourly rate is $29.95/hr. Approximately 650 physical therapist assistants are employed across 20 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$49,714
2025 BLS Actual
$60,637
2026 Current Est.
$62,292
2019–2027 Growth
+28.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Mississippi (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,714 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,524 | Actual |
| 2021 | $52,391 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,585 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,875 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,578 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,637 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,292 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,993 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Mississippi metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 22.0% from $49,714 (2019) to $60,637 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,993 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,279 (28.72%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mississippi 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Mississippi
Lowest Paying Cities in Mississippi
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Clinton | $55,352 |
| Laurel | $55,678 |
| Columbus | $56,610 |
| Hernando | $56,673 |
| Olive Branch | $56,960 |
Best Value Cities for Physical Therapist Assistants in Mississippi
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Mississippi cities offer the most purchasing power for physical therapist assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biloxi | $64,257 | 85.7 | $74,979 |
| Jackson | $63,795 | 89.048 | $71,641 |
| Gulfport | $63,508 | 90.006 | $70,560 |
| Pearl | $59,632 | 85.7 | $69,582 |
| Tupelo | $59,617 | 85.7 | $69,565 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Mississippi
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $46,346 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $62,292 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $76,996 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Mississippi metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 20 Cities in Mississippi
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Biloxi | $64,257 |
| 2 | Jackson | $63,795 |
| 3 | Gulfport | $63,508 |
| 4 | Hattiesburg | $60,210 |
| 5 | Pearl | $59,632 |
| 6 | Tupelo | $59,617 |
| 7 | Madison | $59,379 |
| 8 | Southaven | $59,221 |
| 9 | Horn Lake | $58,977 |
| 10 | Starkville | $58,543 |
| 11 | Ridgeland | $57,801 |
| 12 | Vicksburg | $57,801 |
| 13 | Oxford | $57,435 |
| 14 | Brandon | $57,375 |
| 15 | Meridian | $57,072 |
| 16 | Olive Branch | $56,960 |
| 17 | Hernando | $56,673 |
| 18 | Columbus | $56,610 |
| 19 | Laurel | $55,678 |
| 20 | Clinton | $55,352 |
More Mississippi Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore physical therapist assistant hourly pay in Mississippi cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced physical therapist assistants.
Explore More Physical Therapist Assistant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Mississippi in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for physical therapist assistants in Mississippi?
How does Mississippi physical therapist assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level physical therapist assistant salary in Mississippi?
How many physical therapist assistants are employed in Mississippi?
Which Mississippi city offers the best value for physical therapist assistants?
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
Statewide 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. A 2.73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 physical therapist assistant compensation across Mississippi. State averages are employment-weighted across 20 metro areas — larger metro areas with more physical therapist assistantscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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