Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Missouri: $66,177 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Missouri's 33 metropolitan areas, the average median physical therapist assistant pay sits at $66,177/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-2021. Because Missouri sits at BEA RPP 89.6 (10% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $73,858 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: St. Louis ($65,820), Kansas City ($65,580), Columbia ($63,540).
In Missouri, the projected average median salary for physical therapist assistants in 2026 is $66,177, which is approximately 5.8% lower than the national median of $70,247. The highest paying city is St. Louis, with salaries reaching $67,617, while Hannibal offers the lowest at $58,331. This almost $9,300 salary gap can primarily be attributed to regional demand for healthcare professionals and the cost of living variations across different cities. State-specific factors influencing salaries include licensing requirements and scope of practice laws, which may vary across locations within Missouri. The demand for physical therapist assistants is fueled by an aging population and an increased focus on rehabilitation and preventive care. With a projected annual growth rate of 2.73%, the job market for this profession appears steady, with a total of 2,772 physical therapist assistants employed statewide. Top projected cities for employment in 2026 include Kansas City at $67,370, Columbia at $65,275, Independence at $64,513, and St. Peters at $64,042. Understanding these factors can help prospective physical therapist assistants make informed career decisions in Missouri.
Missouri Physical Therapist Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in Missouri: $42,034 (lowest entry-level) to $92,149 (highest top earner)
Missouri vs National Average
Missouri physical therapist assistants earn 5.79% less than the national median ($-4,070/year difference).
Missouri Physical Therapist Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Physical Therapist Assistant salaries in Missouri range from $52,618 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $81,692 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $66,177. The Missouri median is $4,070 below the US national median of $70,247. The average hourly rate is $31.82/hr. Approximately 2,772 physical therapist assistants are employed across 33 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$53,933
2025 BLS Actual
$64,418
2026 Current Est.
$66,177
2019–2027 Growth
+26.1%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Missouri (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,933 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,400 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,164 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,204 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,934 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,371 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,418 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,177 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,983 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Missouri metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 19.4% from $53,933 (2019) to $64,418 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,983 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,050 (26.05%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Missouri 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 Missouri
Lowest Paying Cities in Missouri
Best Value Cities for Physical Therapist Assistants in Missouri
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Missouri cities offer the most purchasing power for physical therapist assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Girardeau | $63,241 | 86.078 | $73,469 |
| St. Joseph | $63,189 | 86.382 | $73,151 |
| Columbia | $65,275 | 89.438 | $72,984 |
| Kansas City | $67,370 | 92.543 | $72,799 |
| Independence | $64,513 | 89.6 | $72,001 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Missouri
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $52,618 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $66,177 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $81,692 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Missouri metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 33 Cities in Missouri
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | St. Louis | $67,617 |
| 2 | Kansas City | $67,370 |
| 3 | Columbia | $65,275 |
| 4 | Independence | $64,513 |
| 5 | St. Peters | $64,042 |
| 6 | St. Charles | $63,922 |
| 7 | Cape Girardeau | $63,241 |
| 8 | St. Joseph | $63,189 |
| 9 | O'Fallon | $63,181 |
| 10 | Springfield | $63,097 |
| 11 | Jefferson City | $62,922 |
| 12 | Florissant | $62,850 |
| 13 | Wildwood | $62,713 |
| 14 | Kirkwood | $62,694 |
| 15 | Lee's Summit | $62,659 |
| 16 | Chesterfield | $62,650 |
| 17 | University City | $62,321 |
| 18 | Liberty | $62,298 |
| 19 | Grandview | $62,190 |
| 20 | Maryland Heights | $62,086 |
| 21 | Blue Springs | $61,383 |
| 22 | Raytown | $61,016 |
| 23 | Webster Groves | $60,712 |
| 24 | Sedalia | $60,694 |
| 25 | Ballwin | $60,585 |
| 26 | Nixa | $60,580 |
| 27 | Gladstone | $60,419 |
| 28 | Wentzville | $60,276 |
| 29 | Joplin | $59,830 |
| 30 | Belton | $59,766 |
| 31 | Branson | $58,744 |
| 32 | Raymore | $58,521 |
| 33 | Hannibal | $58,331 |
More Missouri Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore physical therapist assistant hourly pay in Missouri cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new physical therapist assistants.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced physical therapist assistants.
Compare Cities in Missouri
View all comparisons →Explore More Physical Therapist Assistant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Missouri in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for physical therapist assistants in Missouri?
How does Missouri physical therapist assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level physical therapist assistant salary in Missouri?
How many physical therapist assistants are employed in Missouri?
Which Missouri 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 Missouri. State averages are employment-weighted across 33 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