Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Columbia, MO: $65,275 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Columbia, MO earns a median $65,275/year (≈ $31.38/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Columbia's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.4), that paycheck buys what $72,984 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% above the Missouri state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, physical therapist assistants in Columbia, MO, can expect a median annual salary of $65,275, reflecting the impact of recent changes in the industry due to Medicare cuts. Following a significant 15% reduction in reimbursement for PTA services, particularly affecting skilled nursing facilities and outpatient settings, salaries have adjusted accordingly. The salary range spans from $51,160 at the 10th percentile to $76,637 at the 90th percentile, indicating a healthy wage disparity that aligns with experience, setting, and productivity expectations. These salary insights are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, which highlight how shifts in healthcare policy can affect compensation in the physical therapy field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,160 | $24.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61,556 | $29.60 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,275 | $31.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,133 | $36.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $76,637 | $36.85 |
Median Salary Position
7.08% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Columbia
In Columbia, MO, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $25,477 (2026 est.). At $65,275, the local median is 7.08% below the national median of $70,247.
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At 40 hours/week in Columbia: You'd be above the median
How Columbia Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Columbia median: $65,275/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Columbia Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $63,189 | +3.30% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | -7.08% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Columbia, MO earn a median of $65,275 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.08% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 3.30% above the Missouri state average of $63,189.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Columbia has a cost of living 10.56% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Columbia, MO has a cost-of-living index of 89.438 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $65,275 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $72,984 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.81% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$54,629
2025 BLS Actual
$63,540
2026 Current Est.
$65,275
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Columbia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,629 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,750 | Actual |
| 2021 | $55,100 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,830 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,140 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,700 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,540 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,275 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,057 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Columbia metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $54,629 (2019) to $63,540 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,057 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,428 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Columbia 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) | $51,160 – $61,556 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $61,556 – $65,275 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,275 – $76,133 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,133 – $76,637 |
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 Columbia
The local job market remains robust, with approximately 110 physical therapist assistants currently employed in the area. However, the cost of living in Columbia, with a CoL index of 89.438, suggests that take-home purchasing power might be comparatively better, allowing PTAs to manage expenses effectively despite lower pay relative to national figures. Among employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics and hospital inpatient rehabilitation typically offer the highest compensation, driven by productivity demands and potential weekend or PRN premiums. The disparities in pay can largely be attributed to the post-Medicare cut landscape, where outpatient settings often provide more stable funding compared to skilled nursing facilities that have faced challenges. PTAs aiming to maximize their earnings in Columbia should consider seeking employment in higher-paying environments, pursuing specialization or advancements through PTA-to-DPT bridge programs, and networking within the local healthcare community for potential opportunities.
More salary data for Columbia, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Columbia, MO in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Columbia?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Columbia?
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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 $63,540 for physical therapist assistantsin the Columbia 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, 6-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