Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Southaven, MS: $59,221 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Southaven, MS earns a median $59,221/year (≈ $28.47/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Southaven's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.7), that paycheck buys what $69,103 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% below the Mississippi state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, a physical therapist assistant in Southaven, MS, can expect a median annual salary of $59,221. This figure represents a notable 15.70% lower pay compared to the national median of $70,247. The salary range for this profession locally stretches from $43,337 at the 10th percentile to $74,588 at the 90th percentile. These projections are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and regional price adjustments. As the job market continues evolving, understanding the potential earnings and pathways for advancement, particularly through earning a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree, can significantly impact lifetime earnings and professional growth for physical therapist assistants in Southaven.
About the Southaven Market
Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,337 | $20.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,850 | $25.41 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,221 | $28.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66,643 | $32.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $74,588 | $35.86 |
Median Salary Position
15.7% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Southaven
In Southaven, MS, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $31,251 (2026 est.). At $59,221, the local median is 15.7% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Southaven: You'd be above the median
How Southaven Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Southaven median: $59,221/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Southaven Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Average | $60,184 | -1.60% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -15.70% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Southaven, MS earn a median of $59,221 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.70% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 1.60% below the Mississippi state average of $60,184.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Southaven 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.
Southaven, MS has a cost-of-living index of 85.7 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $59,221 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,103 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.69% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$49,562
2025 BLS Actual
$57,647
2026 Current Est.
$59,221
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Southaven (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,562 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,388 | Actual |
| 2021 | $51,577 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,918 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,022 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,582 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,647 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,221 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,837 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Southaven metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $49,562 (2019) to $57,647 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,837 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,275 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Southaven 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) | $43,337 – $52,850 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,850 – $59,221 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,221 – $66,643 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $66,643 – $74,588 |
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 Southaven
The job market for physical therapist assistants in Southaven features 14 professionals actively employed, offering a rather stable but somewhat limited local employment landscape. With a cost-of-living index of 85.7, your earnings here stretch further, allowing for reasonable purchasing power. Outpatient orthopedic clinics typically offer the highest wages for physical therapist assistant pay in Southaven, benefiting from lower operating costs and fewer regulatory constraints compared to skilled nursing facilities. The disparity in salaries often reflects differing expectations in productivity, the presence of weekend or PRN premium opportunities, and the lasting effects of the 15% cut in Medicare reimbursements that have impacted compensation, particularly in Medicare-reliant environments like skilled nursing. For those looking to maximize pay in this specific market, gaining experience in high-demand settings or expanding skills to utilize advanced clinical education can provide a considerable advantage.
More salary data for Southaven, MS:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Southaven?
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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 $57,647 for physical therapist assistantsin the Southaven 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 Southaven 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