Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Great Falls, MT: $63,590 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Great Falls, MT earns a median $63,590/year (≈ $30.57/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Great Falls's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 96.8), that paycheck buys what $65,662 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.9% below the Montana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for a physical therapist assistant in Great Falls, Montana, is $63,590, which is notably lower than the national median of $70,247. Salaries range from $49,855 at the 10th percentile to $79,215 at the 90th percentile, highlighting the variance in pay that can depend on factors like experience, setting, and specialization. This data derives from comprehensive surveys conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics and reflects a growing field expected to see an annual growth rate of 2.73% over the next five years. Additionally, as physical therapist assistants consider pathways to transition into Doctor of Physical Therapy programs, bridging into DPT roles could enhance future earning potential, making the decision to advance even more financially beneficial in the long run.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,855 | $23.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,796 | $26.34 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,590 | $30.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63,785 | $30.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79,215 | $38.08 |
Median Salary Position
9.48% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Great Falls
In Great Falls, MT, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $29,360 (2026 est.). At $63,590, the local median is 9.48% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Great Falls: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Great Falls Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Great Falls median: $63,590/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Great Falls Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Montana Average | $67,577 | -5.90% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -9.48% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Great Falls, MT earn a median of $63,590 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.48% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 5.90% below the Montana state average of $67,577.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Great Falls has a cost of living 3.16% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Great Falls, MT has a cost-of-living index of 96.845 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $63,590 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $65,662 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.26% 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
$50,290
2025 BLS Actual
$61,900
2026 Current Est.
$63,590
2019–2027 Growth
+29.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Great Falls (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 | $54,106 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,580 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,280 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,910 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,120 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,900 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,590 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,326 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Great Falls metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 23.1% from $50,290 (2019) to $61,900 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,326 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,036 (29.90%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Great Falls 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) | $49,855 – $54,796 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,796 – $63,590 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,590 – $63,785 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $63,785 – $79,215 |
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 Great Falls
Focusing on the local job market, Great Falls employs around 30 physical therapist assistants, which indicates a relatively tight-knit community. With a cost of living index of 96.845, the lower expenses in Great Falls can enhance the purchasing power of the salary compared to higher-cost areas. Employers in Great Falls, especially outpatient orthopedic clinics and skilled nursing facilities, tend to offer the most competitive pay. Factors influencing the salary spread include various settings, where hospitals generally pay more than outpatient clinics, and challenges like Medicare’s 15% cut affecting PTA-provided services in skilled nursing environments. To maximize pay, physical therapist assistants in Great Falls should consider focusing on outpatient roles or pursuing specialty certifications while remaining aware of the supervision demands and productivity expectations that can heavily influence earnings.
More salary data for Great Falls, MT:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Great Falls, MT in 2026?
Is Great Falls, MT a good place to work as a physical therapist assistant?
Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Great Falls?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Great Falls?
How much does a physical therapist assistant make per hour in Great Falls?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Montana
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 $61,900 for physical therapist assistantsin the Great Falls 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-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