Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in University City, MO: $62,321 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in University City, MO earns a median $62,321/year (≈ $29.97/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in University City's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.6), that paycheck buys what $69,555 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% below the Missouri state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physical therapist assistants in University City, Missouri can expect to earn a median annual salary of $62,321, which reflects the impact of recent changes in the healthcare landscape, particularly following Medicare cuts affecting outpatient services and skilled nursing facilities. Salaries within this role span from $44,145 at the lowest end of the pay spectrum to $76,487 for those who advance to higher-paying positions. These figures are derived from BLS state-level data and regional price adjustments, highlighting the unique economic environment of the area. Despite the local median being notably less than the national average of $70,247, the job market in University City offers an essential avenue for individuals pursuing a career as a physical therapist assistant, particularly in clinics that adapt well to evolving reimbursement structures.
About the University City Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,145 | $21.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,400 | $26.16 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,321 | $29.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70,769 | $34.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $76,487 | $36.78 |
Median Salary Position
11.28% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in University City
In University City, MO, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $32,342 (2026 est.). At $62,321, the local median is 11.28% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in University City: You'd be above the median
How University City Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
University City median: $62,321/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | University City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $63,206 | -1.40% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -11.28% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in University City, MO earn a median of $62,321 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.28% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 1.40% below the Missouri state average of $63,206.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
University City 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.
University City, MO has a cost-of-living index of 89.6 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $62,321 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,555 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.61% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$52,157
2025 BLS Actual
$60,665
2026 Current Est.
$62,321
2019–2027 Growth
+22.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in University City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,157 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,026 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,277 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,688 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,850 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,000 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,665 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,321 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,023 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the University City metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $52,157 (2019) to $60,665 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,023 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,866 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the University City 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) | $44,145 – $54,400 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,400 – $62,321 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,321 – $70,769 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $70,769 – $76,487 |
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 University City
The local job market for physical therapist assistants is somewhat limited, with only six professionals currently employed in University City. However, the cost-of-living index, peaking at 89.6, suggests a favorable purchasing power for PTAs earning their salaries in this area. Most competitive compensation packages can be found in outpatient orthopedic clinics and hospital inpatient rehab settings, while skilled nursing facilities are still recovering from the adverse impacts of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut that hampered earnings. The disparity in pay stems from varying productivity expectations and supervisory requirements, leading to significantly different pay scales depending on the work environment. For those in pursuit of maximizing their earnings in University City, focusing on outpatient settings or pursuing advanced credentials, like bridge pathways to DPT, can provide greater financial incentives in this evolving landscape.
More salary data for University City, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in University City, MO in 2026?
Is University City, MO a good place to work as a physical therapist assistant?
Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in University City?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in University City?
How much does a physical therapist assistant make per hour in University City?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Missouri
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 $60,665 for physical therapist assistantsin the University City 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 University City 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