Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Reno, NV: $79,308 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Reno, NV earns a median $79,308/year (≈ $38.13/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Reno's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 101.0), that paycheck buys what $78,512 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 14.9% above the Nevada state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Reno, Nevada, physical therapist assistants (PTAs) can expect a median annual salary of $79,308 in 2026, reflecting a significant 12.90% increase over the national median of $70,247. The salary range for PTAs in the area spans from $58,289 at the 10th percentile to $83,119 at the 90th percentile, indicating a varied earning potential based on experience and workplace settings. This data, derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, highlights the competitive market for physical therapist assistant pay in Reno NV, which, alongside the prospect of transitioning from a PTA to a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), can substantially elevate lifetime earnings for dedicated professionals.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $58,289 | $28.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $66,682 | $32.06 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $79,308 | $38.13 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82,163 | $39.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83,119 | $39.96 |
Median Salary Position
12.90% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Reno
In Reno, NV, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $24,830 (2026 est.). At $79,308, the local median is 12.9% above the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Reno: You'd be in the upper quartile
How Reno Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Reno median: $79,308/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Reno Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nevada Average | $69,023 | +14.90% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | +12.90% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Reno, NV earn a median of $79,308 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.90% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 14.90% above the Nevada state average of $69,023.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Reno has a cost of living 1.01% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Reno, NV has a cost-of-living index of 101.014 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $79,308 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $78,512 — a 1% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$66,373
2025 BLS Actual
$77,200
2026 Current Est.
$79,308
2019–2027 Growth
+22.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Reno (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66,373 | Actual |
| 2020 | $31,590 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,630 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,720 | Actual |
| 2023 | $72,210 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,560 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,200 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,308 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,473 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Reno metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $66,373 (2019) to $77,200 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $81,473 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,100 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Reno 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) | $58,289 – $66,682 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $66,682 – $79,308 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $79,308 – $82,163 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $82,163 – $83,119 |
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 Reno
Across Reno, there are around 70 physical therapist assistants currently employed, suggesting a steady demand for these skilled practitioners in the local healthcare environment. The cost-of-living index for Reno stands at 101.014, just above the national average, indicating that while salaries are relatively competitive, purchasing power may be constrained. Among various employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics typically offer the highest wages, while skilled nursing facilities may see compressed earnings largely due to the 15% Medicare cut that took effect in 2022, affecting PTA reimbursements. Pay disparities also arise from factors such as productivity expectations, supervisory roles, and work settings; for instance, hospital environments may yield higher pay compared to outpatient or SNF settings. For PTAs looking to maximize their physical therapist assistant salary in Reno, enhancing skills through continuing education and considering employment in in-demand settings like outpatient services could lead to better compensation outcomes.
More salary data for Reno, NV:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Reno, NV in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Reno?
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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 $77,200 for physical therapist assistantsin the Reno 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