Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Lee's Summit, MO: $62,659 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Lee's Summit, MO earns a median $62,659/year (≈ $30.12/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Lee's Summit's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.6), that paycheck buys what $69,932 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Missouri state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for physical therapist assistants in Lee's Summit, Missouri, is estimated at $62,659, which is notably lower than the national median of $70,247. The salary range for this occupation spans from $43,751 at the 10th percentile to $85,323 at the 90th percentile. These figures reflect local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and are adjusted based on regional price parity, taking into account the local cost of living. The job market for physical therapist assistants in Lee's Summit is characterized by a structural divide influenced by recent Medicare cuts, particularly affecting the settings in which PTAs operate, such as outpatient clinics and skilled nursing facilities (SNFs).
About the Lee's Summit Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,751 | $21.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,457 | $26.19 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,659 | $30.12 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74,082 | $35.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85,323 | $41.02 |
Median Salary Position
10.8% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lee's Summit
In Lee's Summit, MO, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $41,572 (2026 est.). At $62,659, the local median is 10.8% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lee's Summit: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lee's Summit Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Lee's Summit median: $62,659/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lee's Summit Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $63,228 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -10.80% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Lee's Summit, MO earn a median of $62,659 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.80% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 0.90% below the Missouri state average of $63,228.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lee's Summit has a cost of living 10.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lee's Summit, MO has a cost-of-living index of 89.6 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $62,659 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,932 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.61% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,440
2025 BLS Actual
$60,994
2026 Current Est.
$62,659
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Lee's Summit (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,440 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,314 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,572 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,990 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,158 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,288 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,994 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,659 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,370 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lee's Summit metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $52,440 (2019) to $60,994 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,370 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,930 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lee's Summit 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) | $43,751 – $54,457 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,457 – $62,659 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,659 – $74,082 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $74,082 – $85,323 |
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 Lee's Summit
The local job market features 20 physical therapist assistants working across various healthcare settings, with compensation structures differing significantly based on employment type. Given Lee's Summit's cost of living index of 89.6, the purchasing power for residents is slightly below the national average, impacting how much do physical therapist assistants make in Lee's Summit in practical terms. Outpatient orthopedic clinics typically pay the highest salaries, followed by hospital inpatient rehab facilities, while SNFs have become less lucrative due to the aftermath of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut. Factors contributing to the pay disparities include setting type, working hours, and varying productivity expectations. To maximize earnings in this competitive environment, PTAs should consider seeking positions in higher-paying settings or pursuing additional certifications that can enhance marketability within the Lee's Summit MO job market.
More salary data for Lee's Summit, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Lee's Summit, MO in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Lee's Summit?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Lee's Summit?
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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 $60,994 for physical therapist assistantsin the Lee's Summit 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 Lee's Summit 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