Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in New Jersey: $79,039 (2026)

Quick Answer:Across New Jersey's 61 metropolitan areas, the average median physical therapist assistant pay sits at $79,039/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-2021. Because New Jersey sits at BEA RPP 115.2 (15% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $68,610 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: East Orange ($79,861), Franklin ($79,861), Woodbridge ($79,839).

Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in New Jersey - 2025 BLS Data Infographic — New Jersey physical therapist assistant salary overview (2026)

$79,039

Avg Median Salary

$38.00

Avg Hourly Rate

944

Metro Employed

Cities

As the demand for healthcare continues to grow, physical therapist assistants (PTAs) in New Jersey are projected to earn an average median salary of $79,038 in 2026, which is 12.5% higher than the national median of $70,247. The highest paying city in the state is East Orange, where PTAs can expect salaries around $82,041, while Camden represents the lowest end with salaries of $71,738. This gap of $10,303 between the highest and lowest paying cities can be attributed to factors like cost of living, local demand for healthcare services, and variations in facility types. New Jersey has specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that can impact one’s career trajectory, making thorough knowledge of state regulations essential. The strong employment outlook for PTAs, with a growth rate of 2.73% annually, indicates a steady increase in job opportunities. Current projections estimate a total of 944 PTAs employed across 61 metro areas. The top cities for PTAs in New Jersey include Franklin at $82,041, Woodbridge at $82,019, Parsippany-Troy Hills at $81,900, and Union at $81,695. Understanding these factors can help aspiring PTAs make informed decisions about their careers in New Jersey.

New Jersey Physical Therapist Assistant Salary Range

Entry Level (10th %ile)

$54,245

avg across 61 cities

Median

$79,039

state average

Top Earners (90th %ile)

$101,600

avg across 61 cities

Overall salary range in New Jersey: $35,740 (lowest entry-level) to $112,328 (highest top earner)

New Jersey vs National Average

New Jersey

$79,039

National Median

$70,247

New Jersey physical therapist assistants earn 12.52% more than the national median (+$8,792/year difference).

New Jersey Physical Therapist Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)

Physical Therapist Assistant salaries in New Jersey range from $54,245 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $101,600 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $79,039. The New Jersey median is $8,792 above the US national median of $70,247. The average hourly rate is $38.00/hr. Approximately 944 physical therapist assistants are employed across 61 cities.

2019 BLS Actual

$66,148

2025 BLS Actual

$76,938

2026 Current Est.

$79,039

2019–2027 Growth

+22.8%

Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in New Jersey (2019–2027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected

Year	Annual Salary	Status
2019	$66,148	Actual
2020	$63,100	Actual
2021	$66,490	Actual
2022	$68,870	Actual
2023	$64,220	Actual
2024	$84,296	Actual
2025	$76,938	Actual
2026(current)	$79,039	Estimated
2027	$81,197	Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the New Jersey metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $66,148 (2019) to $76,938 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $81,197 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,049 (22.75%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the New Jersey 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 Jersey

East Orange

9 employed · $39.44/hr

$82,041

+3.80% vs avg

Franklin

15 employed · $39.44/hr

$82,041

+3.80% vs avg

Woodbridge

25 employed · $39.43/hr

$82,019

+3.77% vs avg

Parsippany-Troy Hills

8 employed · $39.38/hr

$81,900

+3.62% vs avg

Union

15 employed · $39.27/hr

$81,695

+3.36% vs avg

Lowest Paying Cities in New Jersey

City	Median Salary	vs State Avg	Hourly
Camden	$71,738	-9.24%	$34.49
Summit	$75,415	-4.59%	$36.25
Atlantic City	$75,445	-4.55%	$36.27
Rahway	$76,553	-3.15%	$36.81
Evesham	$76,892	-2.72%	$36.97

Best Value Cities for Physical Therapist Assistants in New Jersey

When adjusted for local cost of living, these New Jersey cities offer the most purchasing power for physical therapist assistants.

City	Nominal Salary	CoL Index	Adjusted Salary
Atlantic City	$75,445	98.857	$76,317
Trenton	$77,469	103.18	$75,081
East Orange	$82,041	115.2	$71,216
Franklin	$82,041	115.2	$71,216
Woodbridge	$82,019	115.2	$71,197

Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.

Salary by Experience Level in New Jersey

Experience Level	Estimated Annual	Est. Hourly	Description
Entry Level (0-2 years)	$54,245	$26.08	10th percentile, new graduates
Mid Career (3-7 years)	$79,039	$38.00	50th percentile, median salary
Experienced (7+ years)	$101,600	$48.85	90th percentile, top earners

Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across New Jersey metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

All 61 Cities in New Jersey

#	City	Median Salary	Hourly	Entry (P10)	Top (P90)	Employed
1	East Orange	$82,041	$39.44	$57,463	$105,325	9
2	Franklin	$82,041	$39.44	$57,463	$105,115	15
3	Woodbridge	$82,019	$39.43	$53,675	$112,328	25
4	Parsippany-Troy Hills	$81,900	$39.38	$54,408	$104,857	8
5	Union	$81,695	$39.27	$56,321	$104,174	15
6	Elizabeth	$81,665	$39.26	$58,968	$111,124	25
7	Brick	$81,497	$39.18	$55,861	$106,491	18
8	Gloucester Township	$81,266	$39.07	$55,328	$102,756	10
9	New Brunswick	$81,234	$39.06	$55,587	$105,406	8
10	Vineland	$81,099	$38.99	$55,277	$102,208	11
11	Howell	$80,965	$38.92	$54,968	$109,656	11
12	Paterson	$80,867	$38.88	$57,478	$108,428	31
13	Plainfield	$80,772	$38.83	$54,196	$109,214	10
14	Irvington	$80,650	$38.77	$54,166	$108,547	10
15	West New York	$80,529	$38.72	$53,889	$103,074	10
16	Piscataway	$80,471	$38.69	$53,840	$108,202	14
17	Jackson	$80,426	$38.67	$53,408	$102,943	10
18	Lakewood	$80,292	$38.61	$56,183	$109,491	31
19	West Orange	$80,245	$38.58	$57,711	$102,295	11
20	Montclair	$80,126	$38.52	$57,086	$99,271	10
21	Washington Township	$80,001	$38.46	$56,785	$101,699	12
22	Old Bridge	$79,971	$38.45	$59,022	$106,328	17
23	Edison	$79,847	$38.39	$55,190	$107,790	20
24	Union City	$79,811	$38.37	$58,731	$105,999	17
25	Toms River	$79,785	$38.36	$58,671	$100,846	17
26	Bridgewater	$79,693	$38.32	$56,052	$97,880	10
27	Middletown	$79,670	$38.31	$58,403	$100,471	15
28	Clifton	$79,427	$38.18	$57,838	$107,624	14
29	South Brunswick	$79,285	$38.11	$55,419	$104,270	7
30	Berkeley	$79,279	$38.11	$55,069	$104,250	7
31	Perth Amboy	$79,266	$38.11	$57,467	$104,198	13
32	Wayne	$79,241	$38.09	$57,409	$104,114	10
33	Linden	$79,228	$38.09	$55,285	$99,007	7
34	Passaic	$79,208	$38.08	$57,334	$106,897	18
35	East Brunswick	$79,178	$38.06	$55,167	$103,724	8
36	Jersey City	$79,018	$37.99	$51,574	$105,374	42
37	Bloomfield	$79,010	$37.99	$56,876	$103,355	11
38	Princeton	$79,009	$37.99	$56,509	$97,555	6
39	Long Branch	$78,958	$37.96	$54,649	$103,204	8
40	Westfield	$78,738	$37.86	$53,801	$97,637	7
41	Hamilton	$78,657	$37.81	$55,989	$101,987	21
42	Sayreville	$78,632	$37.80	$53,883	$101,946	9
43	Cherry Hill	$78,618	$37.79	$55,659	$102,076	11
44	North Bergen	$78,478	$37.73	$55,660	$101,416	13
45	Hoboken	$78,408	$37.69	$53,132	$101,187	15
46	Kearny	$78,286	$37.64	$59,453	$100,782	11
47	Manalapan	$78,218	$37.61	$59,287	$100,609	8
48	Bayonne	$78,138	$37.57	$54,890	$103,366	16
49	Manchester	$77,960	$37.48	$58,423	$102,733	9
50	Newark	$77,799	$37.40	$49,223	$109,357	61
51	Moorestown	$77,655	$37.33	$57,355	$93,058	4
52	Hackensack	$77,653	$37.33	$58,018	$98,797	8
53	Trenton	$77,469	$37.24	$35,740	$84,465	80
54	Marlboro	$77,250	$37.14	$56,983	$97,517	9
55	Mount Laurel	$77,193	$37.12	$56,850	$97,339	11
56	Egg Harbor	$77,005	$37.02	$56,488	$96,934	8
57	Evesham	$76,892	$36.97	$56,222	$96,578	12
58	Rahway	$76,553	$36.81	$55,348	$97,981	9
59	Atlantic City	$75,445	$36.27	$64,042	$83,026	50
60	Summit	$75,415	$36.25	$58,422	$93,471	5
61	Camden	$71,738	$34.49	$50,486	$94,830	16

More New Jersey Salary Data

Hourly Rates

Explore physical therapist assistant hourly pay in New Jersey cities.

East Orange →Franklin →Woodbridge →

Entry Level

Starting salaries for new physical therapist assistants.

East Orange →Franklin →Woodbridge →

Senior / Experienced

Top earner salaries for experienced physical therapist assistants.

East Orange →Franklin →Woodbridge →

Explore More Physical Therapist Assistant Salary Data

National OverviewMedian salary & full US data Entry-Level SalariesStarting pay & new grad earnings Hourly Pay RatesPer-hour rates & part-time income Highest Paying StatesTop states ranked by salary

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do physical therapist assistants make in New Jersey in 2026?

The average median physical therapist assistant salary in New Jersey is $79,039/year across 61 metro areas, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Salaries range from $71,738 in Camden to $82,041 in East Orange. This makes New Jersey one of the higher-paying states, at 12.52% above the national median of $70,247. The state employs approximately 944 physical therapist assistants.

What is the highest paying city for physical therapist assistants in New Jersey?

East Orange offers the highest physical therapist assistant salary in New Jersey at $82,041/year ($39.44/hr), based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). The top 3 highest-paying cities are East Orange ($82,041), Franklin ($82,041), Woodbridge ($82,019). Higher pay in these metros is typically driven by cost of living, demand for physical therapy services, and competition among employers for licensed physical therapist assistants.

How does New Jersey physical therapist assistant pay compare to the national average?

New Jersey's average physical therapist assistant salary of $79,039 is 12.52% above the national median of $70,247 in 2026. The state employs approximately 944 physical therapist assistants across 61 metropolitan areas. When comparing salaries, consider cost-of-living differences — a lower nominal salary in an affordable area may provide better purchasing power than a higher salary in an expensive metro.

What is the entry-level physical therapist assistant salary in New Jersey?

Entry-level physical therapist assistants (10th percentile) in New Jersey earn approximately $54,245/year on average, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Starting salaries range from $35,740 in lower-paying areas to $64,042 in the highest-paying metros. New graduates should expect salaries at the lower end and can typically reach the area median within 3–5 years of clinical experience.

How many physical therapist assistants are employed in New Jersey?

New Jersey employs approximately 944 physical therapist assistants across 61 metropolitan areas, based on the latest BLS data. The smaller workforce means positions may be less competitive but also fewer in number. Demand continues to grow as the physical therapy field expands and the population ages.

Which New Jersey city offers the best value for physical therapist assistants?

When adjusted for cost of living, Atlantic City offers the highest purchasing power for physical therapist assistants in New Jersey, with an adjusted salary of $76,317 (nominal: $75,445, CoL index: 98.857). This means your dollar goes 1% further compared to the national average, making it an attractive option for maximizing real income.

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.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gonzalez, PTAData verified by Ahmed Khan, DPT

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 Jersey. State averages are employment-weighted across 61 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, 6-year dataset (2020–2025). 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

Last verified: June 10, 2026

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