Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Montana: $64,797 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Montana's 7 metropolitan areas, the average median physical therapist assistant pay sits at $64,797/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-2021. Because Montana sits at BEA RPP 96.2 (4% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $67,357 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Bozeman ($64,731), Missoula ($64,330), Butte ($63,929).
In 2026, physical therapist assistants (PTAs) in Montana can expect an average median salary of $64,798, which is 7.8% lower than the national median of $70,247. Salaries vary significantly across the state, with Bozeman offering the highest average at $66,498, while Great Falls provides the lowest at $63,590—a difference of $908. Factors contributing to this disparity include local demand for healthcare services, cost of living, and the concentration of clinical settings. Montana’s PTA job market is bolstered by a growth rate of 2.73% annually, indicating steady demand for qualified professionals. The state's licensing requirements necessitate passing the National Physical Therapy Exam and completing continuing education courses, which ensures that PTAs maintain current practices and knowledge. The scope of practice laws in Montana support PTAs in various clinical settings, reflecting an increasing recognition of their role in patient care. With 138 employed PTAs statewide projected for 2026, cities such as Missoula ($66,086), Butte ($65,674), Helena ($64,714), and Billings ($64,586) present additional opportunities. Candidates entering the field should consider these factors when evaluating potential career paths and salary expectations in Montana.
Montana Physical Therapist Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in Montana: $45,021 (lowest entry-level) to $90,276 (highest top earner)
Montana vs National Average
Montana physical therapist assistants earn 7.76% less than the national median ($-5,450/year difference).
Montana Physical Therapist Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Physical Therapist Assistant salaries in Montana range from $49,152 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $84,057 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $64,797. The Montana median is $5,450 below the US national median of $70,247. The average hourly rate is $31.16/hr. Approximately 138 physical therapist assistants are employed across 7 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$50,290
2025 BLS Actual
$63,076
2026 Current Est.
$64,797
2019–2027 Growth
+32.4%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Montana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,290 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,200 | Actual |
| 2021 | $53,553 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,607 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,632 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,476 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,076 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,797 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,566 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Montana metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 25.4% from $50,290 (2019) to $63,076 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,566 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,276 (32.36%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Montana 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 Montana
Lowest Paying Cities in Montana
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Great Falls | $63,590 |
| Kalispell | $64,527 |
| Billings | $64,586 |
| Helena | $64,714 |
| Butte | $65,674 |
Best Value Cities for Physical Therapist Assistants in Montana
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Montana cities offer the most purchasing power for physical therapist assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bozeman | $66,498 | 96.2 | $69,125 |
| Billings | $64,586 | 93.526 | $69,057 |
| Missoula | $66,086 | 96.2 | $68,696 |
| Butte | $65,674 | 96.2 | $68,268 |
| Helena | $64,714 | 96.2 | $67,270 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Montana
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $49,152 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $64,797 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $84,057 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Montana metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 7 Cities in Montana
More Montana Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore physical therapist assistant hourly pay in Montana cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced physical therapist assistants.
Explore More Physical Therapist Assistant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Montana in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for physical therapist assistants in Montana?
How does Montana physical therapist assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level physical therapist assistant salary in Montana?
How many physical therapist assistants are employed in Montana?
Which Montana 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 Montana. State averages are employment-weighted across 7 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