Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Butte, MT: $65,674 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Butte, MT earns a median $65,674/year (≈ $31.58/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Butte's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.2), that paycheck buys what $68,268 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.8% below the Montana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Butte, Montana, the 2026 median annual salary for physical therapist assistants is projected at $65,674. This figure represents a moderate gap when compared to the national median of $70,247, reflecting local economic conditions influenced by recent structural shifts in the healthcare landscape. Following the Medicare cuts that reduced reimbursement rates, the pay for PTAs has seen adjustments alongside evolving job roles, particularly between outpatient settings and skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). With a salary range spanning from $45,021 at the 10th percentile to $85,331 at the 90th percentile, these projections indicate that the job market for physical therapist assistants in Butte is competitive, but it is heavily influenced by the settings in which they work.
About the Butte Market
Salary estimated from Montana average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,021 | $21.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58,709 | $28.23 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,674 | $31.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $75,893 | $36.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85,331 | $41.02 |
Median Salary Position
6.51% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Butte
In Butte, MT, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $40,310 (2026 est.). At $65,674, the local median is 6.51% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Butte: You'd be above the median
How Butte Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Butte median: $65,674/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Butte Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Montana Average | $67,566 | -2.80% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -6.51% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Butte, MT earn a median of $65,674 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.51% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 2.80% below the Montana state average of $67,566.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Butte has a cost of living 3.80% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Butte, MT has a cost-of-living index of 96.2 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $65,674 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $68,268 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.95% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$54,963
2025 BLS Actual
$63,929
2026 Current Est.
$65,674
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Butte (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,963 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,879 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,198 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,684 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,909 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,963 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,929 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,674 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,467 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Butte metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $54,963 (2019) to $63,929 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,467 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,504 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Butte 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) | $45,021 – $58,709 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $58,709 – $65,674 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,674 – $75,893 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $75,893 – $85,331 |
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 Butte
There are currently seven physical therapist assistants employed in Butte, MT. The cost of living index stands at 96.2, meaning that while salaries may seem lower compared to national averages, the purchasing power remains relatively stable for local residents. Outpatient orthopedic clinics generally offer the highest pay, followed closely by hospital inpatient rehabilitation and home health agencies. The disparity in earnings can largely be attributed to the impact of the 15% Medicare cuts on PTA-reliant settings like SNFs. Factors such as productivity expectations, weekend or PRN premium pay, and supervisory requirements further affect overall compensation. To maximize earning potential in this market, PTAs in Butte should consider seeking employment in higher-paying outpatient settings, as well as explore opportunities for additional certifications or education that could position them for advancement in the field.
More salary data for Butte, MT:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Butte, MT in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Butte?
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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 $63,929 for physical therapist assistantsin the Butte 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 Butte 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