Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in St. Charles, MO: $63,922 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in St. Charles, MO earns a median $63,922/year (≈ $30.73/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in St. Charles's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.6), that paycheck buys what $71,342 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% above the Missouri state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In St. Charles, Missouri, the projected median annual salary for a physical therapist assistant in 2026 is $63,922, representing a competitive figure in the local healthcare market. With salaries ranging from $44,502 at the 10th percentile to $81,562 at the 90th percentile, these estimates reflect local conditions based on 2025 BLS data and regional cost adjustments. Compared to the national median of $70,247, physical therapist assistant pay in St. Charles is approximately 9% lower, which impacts the market dynamics for job seekers. Understanding the visits-per-day expectations and productivity benchmarks set by employers can influence earning potential, emphasizing the need for efficiency and quality in service delivery.
About the St. Charles Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,502 | $21.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,340 | $26.61 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,922 | $30.73 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72,762 | $34.98 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81,562 | $39.21 |
Median Salary Position
9% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in St. Charles
In St. Charles, MO, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $37,060 (2026 est.). At $63,922, the local median is 9% below the national median of $70,247.
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At 40 hours/week in St. Charles: You'd be above the median
How St. Charles Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
St. Charles median: $63,922/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | St. Charles Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $63,226 | +1.10% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | -9.00% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in St. Charles, MO earn a median of $63,922 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.00% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 1.10% above the Missouri state average of $63,226.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
St. Charles 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.
St. Charles, MO has a cost-of-living index of 89.6 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $63,922 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $71,342 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.61% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,496
2025 BLS Actual
$62,223
2026 Current Est.
$63,922
2019–2027 Growth
+22.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in St. Charles (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,496 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,388 | Actual |
| 2021 | $55,671 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,118 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,310 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,361 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,223 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,922 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,667 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the St. Charles metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $53,496 (2019) to $62,223 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,667 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,171 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the St. Charles 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) | $44,502 – $55,340 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,340 – $63,922 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,922 – $72,762 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $72,762 – $81,562 |
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 St. Charles
The local job market includes 16 physical therapist assistants employed in St. Charles, showcasing a niche but steady demand for this role. With a cost-of-living index of 89.6, residents enjoy a lower cost dynamic that can enhance purchasing power despite the slightly lower salaries. Outpatient orthopedic clinics tend to offer the most lucrative pay, reflecting higher productivity expectations and potentially fewer reimbursement pressures than skilled nursing facilities, which face challenges from the Medicare cut impacting revenue. Achieving higher compensation may involve seeking roles in settings with lucrative opportunities, along with strategies such as pursuing additional certifications or specializations that enhance value. Combining weekend shifts or PRN work can also be advantageous, capitalizing on the premium wages often associated with these schedules. Understanding this landscape is crucial for maximizing earnings as a physical therapist assistant in St. Charles.
More salary data for St. Charles, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in St. Charles?
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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 $62,223 for physical therapist assistantsin the St. Charles 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 St. Charles 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