Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Clifton, NJ: $79,427 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Clifton, NJ earns a median $79,427/year (≈ $38.18/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Clifton's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $68,947 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.9% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Physical therapist assistants in Clifton, NJ, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $79,427 in 2026, reflecting a robust local job market. This figure, which is notably 13.07% higher than the national median of $70,247, encompasses a salary range from $57,838 at the 10th percentile to $107,624 at the 90th percentile. The estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional price levels, providing insight into local earning potential as demands for physical therapy services continue to grow. With 14 physical therapist assistants employed in Clifton, there is a solid foundation for those entering the profession, as productivity expectations around visits per day heavily influence earnings.
About the Clifton Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($76,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $57,838 | $27.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $70,670 | $33.97 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $79,427 | $38.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $89,168 | $42.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $107,624 | $51.75 |
Median Salary Position
13.07% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Clifton
In Clifton, NJ, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $49,786 (2026 est.). At $79,427, the local median is 13.07% above the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Clifton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Clifton Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Clifton median: $79,427/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Clifton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $80,965 | -1.90% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | +13.07% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Clifton, NJ earn a median of $79,427 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.07% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 1.90% below the New Jersey state average of $80,965.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Clifton has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Clifton, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $79,427 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $68,947 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$66,473
2025 BLS Actual
$77,316
2026 Current Est.
$79,427
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Clifton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66,473 | Actual |
| 2020 | $67,581 | Actual |
| 2021 | $69,175 | Actual |
| 2022 | $70,973 | Actual |
| 2023 | $72,454 | Actual |
| 2024 | $85,931 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,316 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,427 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,595 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Clifton metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $66,473 (2019) to $77,316 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $81,595 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,122 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Clifton 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) | $57,838 – $70,670 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $70,670 – $79,427 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $79,427 – $89,168 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $89,168 – $107,624 |
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 Clifton
Given the cost-of-living index of 115.2 in Clifton, professionals need to consider how local expenses impact their take-home pay. Outpatient orthopedic clinics tend to offer the highest compensation in the area, driven by demand and patient volumes, while skilled nursing facilities often lag due to recent Medicare cuts affecting reimbursement rates. The disparity in salaries can be attributed to several factors such as work settings, productivity expectations, and weekend or PRN shifts that may command premiums. For those looking to maximize their physical therapist assistant pay in Clifton, pursuing opportunities in higher-paying facilities and continuously enhancing skills through continuing education can yield better financial outcomes, especially in light of current economic pressures facing healthcare reimbursement.
More salary data for Clifton, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Clifton, NJ in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Clifton?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Clifton?
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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 $77,316 for physical therapist assistantsin the Clifton 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 Clifton 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