Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Jackson, MS: $63,795 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Jackson, MS earns a median $63,795/year (≈ $30.68/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Jackson's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.0), that paycheck buys what $71,641 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.0% above the Mississippi state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Jackson, Mississippi, the projected median salary for a physical therapist assistant in 2026 is $63,795. This figure, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, illustrates a competitive pay structure when considering the full salary range from $57,673 at the 10th percentile to $78,691 at the 90th percentile. When compared nationally, the physical therapist assistant pay in Jackson MS is about 9.18% lower than the national median of $70,247, highlighting a regional wage gap. For those in the profession, pursuing the PTA-to-DPT bridge could significantly enhance lifetime earnings, making it a valuable consideration for career progression in this growing field. The job market for physical therapist assistants in Jackson shows promise, especially as healthcare needs rise.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $57,673 | $27.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62,727 | $30.16 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,795 | $30.68 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72,866 | $35.03 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78,691 | $37.84 |
Median Salary Position
9.18% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Jackson
In Jackson, MS, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $21,018 (2026 est.). At $63,795, the local median is 9.18% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Jackson: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Jackson Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Jackson median: $63,795/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Jackson Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Average | $60,184 | +6.00% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | -9.18% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Jackson, MS earn a median of $63,795 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.18% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 6.00% above the Mississippi state average of $60,184.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Jackson has a cost of living 10.95% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Jackson, MS has a cost-of-living index of 89.048 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $63,795 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $71,641 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.3% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,760
2025 BLS Actual
$62,100
2026 Current Est.
$63,795
2019–2027 Growth
+40.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Jackson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,760 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,390 | Actual |
| 2021 | $50,050 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,020 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,230 | Actual |
| 2024 | $66,810 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,100 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,795 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,537 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Jackson metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 32.8% from $46,760 (2019) to $62,100 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,537 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,777 (40.16%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Jackson 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) | $57,673 – $62,727 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $62,727 – $63,795 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,795 – $72,866 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $72,866 – $78,691 |
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 Jackson
A closer look at the local job market reveals there are currently 260 physical therapist assistants employed in Jackson. With a cost-of-living index of 89.048, the affordability of living in Jackson can positively impact take-home pay compared to other regions. Among various employers in the area, outpatient orthopedic clinics typically offer the highest salaries, followed by skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation services. The range of salaries is influenced by factors such as setting differences, productivity expectations, and compensation structure, particularly following the 15% Medicare cut that affects service reimbursement from federal programs. For those looking to maximize their pay in Jackson, it's advisable to seek positions in higher-paying settings or specialize in a niche area while considering educational advancement capabilities like the PTA-to-DPT transition.
More salary data for Jackson, 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 $62,100 for physical therapist assistantsin the Jackson 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