Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in New Hampshire: $73,049 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across New Hampshire's 16 metropolitan areas, the average median physical therapist assistant pay sits at $73,049/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-2021. Because New Hampshire sits at BEA RPP 107.3 (7% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $68,079 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Nashua ($71,946), Salem ($71,601), Merrimack ($71,510).
In New Hampshire, the average median salary for physical therapist assistants in 2026 is projected to be $73,049, which is 4.0% higher than the national median of $70,247. The salary variations between cities reflect local demand and cost of living. Nashua offers the highest average salary at $73,910, while Bedford has the lowest at $70,992, creating a salary gap of $2,918 between these two locations. Factors influencing this difference include the concentration of healthcare facilities, population demographics, and local economies. New Hampshire requires physical therapist assistants to be licensed, which involves passing the National Physical Therapy Examination. The scope of practice laws in the state align with national standards, allowing physical therapist assistants to perform various therapeutic functions under the supervision of licensed physical therapists. The job market for physical therapist assistants shows a positive outlook, with a projected annual growth rate of 2.73%. This growth is driven by an aging population and increased demand for rehabilitation services, indicating a steady need for trained professionals in the field. With 215 physical therapist assistants currently employed, cities like Salem, Merrimack, Manchester, and Dover also reflect strong local job markets with competitive salaries.
New Hampshire Physical Therapist Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in New Hampshire: $49,762 (lowest entry-level) to $98,272 (highest top earner)
New Hampshire vs National Average
New Hampshire physical therapist assistants earn 3.99% more than the national median (+$2,802/year difference).
New Hampshire Physical Therapist Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Physical Therapist Assistant salaries in New Hampshire range from $57,367 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $94,934 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $73,049. The New Hampshire median is $2,802 above the US national median of $70,247. The average hourly rate is $35.12/hr. Approximately 215 physical therapist assistants are employed across 16 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$61,079
2025 BLS Actual
$71,108
2026 Current Est.
$73,049
2019–2027 Growth
+22.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in New Hampshire (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,079 | Actual |
| 2020 | $62,553 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,766 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,445 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,585 | Actual |
| 2024 | $68,142 | Actual |
| 2025 | $71,108 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $73,049 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $75,044 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the New Hampshire metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.4% from $61,079 (2019) to $71,108 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $75,044 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,965 (22.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire
Lowest Paying Cities in New Hampshire
Best Value Cities for Physical Therapist Assistants in New Hampshire
When adjusted for local cost of living, these New Hampshire cities offer the most purchasing power for physical therapist assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manchester | $73,390 | 105.657 | $69,461 |
| Nashua | $73,910 | 107.3 | $68,882 |
| Salem | $73,556 | 107.3 | $68,552 |
| Merrimack | $73,462 | 107.3 | $68,464 |
| Dover | $72,883 | 107.3 | $67,925 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in New Hampshire
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $57,367 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $73,049 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $94,934 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across New Hampshire metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 16 Cities in New Hampshire
More New Hampshire Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore physical therapist assistant hourly pay in New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for physical therapist assistants in New Hampshire?
How does New Hampshire physical therapist assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level physical therapist assistant salary in New Hampshire?
How many physical therapist assistants are employed in New Hampshire?
Which New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire. State averages are employment-weighted across 16 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