Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Gulfport, MS: $63,508 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Gulfport, MS earns a median $63,508/year (≈ $30.53/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Gulfport's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.0), that paycheck buys what $70,560 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.5% above the Mississippi state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, physical therapist assistants in Gulfport, Mississippi, can expect a median annual salary of $63,508, reflecting a notable gap compared to the national median of $70,247. This compensation range spans from a reported $32,196 at the lower 10th percentile to $78,558 at the 90th percentile, demonstrating significant variability based on factors such as employer type and service setting. Data derived from 2025 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) shows how the structure of rehab services has shifted, particularly following the Medicare cuts, which have affected pay scales in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and outpatient clinics. Understanding these nuances is essential for current students and practicing physical therapist assistants alike as they navigate the Gulfport job market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32,196 | $15.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62,039 | $29.83 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,508 | $30.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74,787 | $35.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78,558 | $37.76 |
Median Salary Position
9.59% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Gulfport
In Gulfport, MS, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $46,362 (2026 est.). At $63,508, the local median is 9.59% below the national median of $70,247.
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At 40 hours/week in Gulfport: You'd be above the median
How Gulfport Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Gulfport median: $63,508/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Gulfport Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Average | $60,197 | +5.50% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | -9.59% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Gulfport, MS earn a median of $63,508 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.59% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 5.50% above the Mississippi state average of $60,197.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Gulfport has a cost of living 9.99% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Gulfport, MS has a cost-of-living index of 90.006 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $63,508 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $70,560 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.1% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$55,030
2025 BLS Actual
$61,820
2026 Current Est.
$63,508
2019–2027 Growth
+18.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Gulfport (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,030 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,720 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,780 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,620 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,500 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,080 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,820 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,508 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,241 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Gulfport metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 12.3% from $55,030 (2019) to $61,820 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,241 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,211 (18.56%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gulfport 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) | $32,196 – $62,039 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $62,039 – $63,508 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,508 – $74,787 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $74,787 – $78,558 |
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 Gulfport
Looking beyond median figures, Gulfport’s local job market reveals employment for around 190 physical therapist assistants, offering a range of opportunities across various settings. With a cost-of-living index of 90.006, salaries can stretch further in Gulfport compared to many cities with higher living costs, making the financial landscape conducive for new graduates. Employers that tend to pay the most include outpatient orthopedic clinics and hospital inpatient rehabilitation settings, where the productivity expectations often drive compensation higher due to the nature of private and chain operations. The spread in earnings is influenced by several elements, including weekend shifts, supervisory responsibilities, and the implications of the 15% Medicare cut, which greatly impacted SNF margins. Strategies for maximizing pay in the Gulfport MS market may involve gaining experience in high-demand specialties or pursuing advanced education pathways, such as PTA-to-DPT programs, enabling higher salary potential in the long run.
More salary data for Gulfport, MS:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $61,820 for physical therapist assistantsin the Gulfport 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
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