Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Columbus, MS: $56,610 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Columbus, MS earns a median $56,610/year (≈ $27.21/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Columbus's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.7), that paycheck buys what $66,056 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.0% below the Mississippi state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physical therapist assistants in Columbus, Mississippi, can expect a median annual salary of $56,610, which is notably lower than the national median of $70,247. The salary spectrum in Columbus ranges from $39,900 at the lower 10th percentile to $67,601 at the upper 90th percentile. These figures are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local cost of living, which is significantly below the national average. As demand for physical therapy services continues to rise, the job market is expected to grow, offering opportunities that could enhance productivity and compensation potential for PTAs in the Columbus area.
About the Columbus Market
Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,900 | $19.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,579 | $25.28 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $56,610 | $27.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62,291 | $29.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $67,601 | $32.50 |
Median Salary Position
19.41% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Columbus
In Columbus, MS, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,701 (2026 est.). At $56,610, the local median is 19.41% below the national median of $70,247.
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At 40 hours/week in Columbus: You'd be above the median
How Columbus Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Columbus median: $56,610/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Columbus Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Average | $60,224 | -6.00% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -19.41% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Columbus, MS earn a median of $56,610 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.41% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 6.00% below the Mississippi state average of $60,224.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Columbus has a cost of living 14.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Columbus, MS has a cost-of-living index of 85.7 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $56,610 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $66,056 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.69% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$47,378
2025 BLS Actual
$55,106
2026 Current Est.
$56,610
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Columbus (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,378 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,167 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,304 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,585 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,641 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,352 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,106 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,610 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,156 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Columbus metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $47,378 (2019) to $55,106 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,156 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,778 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Columbus 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) | $39,900 – $52,579 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,579 – $56,610 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $56,610 – $62,291 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $62,291 – $67,601 |
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 Columbus
Currently, only six physical therapist assistants are employed in Columbus, indicating a tight-knit job market that may offer unique local opportunities despite the modest average pay. With a cost-of-living index at 85.7, PTAs in Columbus can find their take-home pay more manageable, even though it tends to lag behind the national scale. In terms of local employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics and skilled nursing facilities typically offer the most competitive wages, largely influenced by productivity expectations and varying service settings. Factors such as the ongoing Medicare cuts and supervision requirements by physical therapists can impact overall compensation rates. For those looking to maximize their earning potential, specializing in high-demand areas, such as pediatric or home health services, may provide advantageous pathways while contributing to the overall growth of the physical therapy workforce in Columbus, MS.
More salary data for Columbus, MS:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Columbus, MS in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Columbus?
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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 $55,106 for physical therapist assistantsin the Columbus 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 Columbus 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