Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in East Orange, NJ: $82,041 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in East Orange, NJ earns a median $82,041/year (≈ $39.44/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in East Orange's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $71,216 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% above the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physical therapist assistants in East Orange, NJ, can expect a median annual salary of $82,041, reflecting a notable increase over previous years. This figure positions the local salary significantly above the national median of $70,247, highlighting a premium for the role within the state. The projected salary range for this profession varies from $57,463 at the 10th percentile to $105,325 at the 90th percentile, indicating a broad spectrum of earning potential influenced by experience, setting, and additional qualifications. Notably, the data available is sourced from 2025 BLS estimates, adjusted to reflect regional price variances, providing a comprehensive view of the salary landscape for physical therapist assistants in East Orange.
About the East Orange Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($76,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $57,463 | $27.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $69,491 | $33.41 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $82,041 | $39.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $93,521 | $44.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $105,325 | $50.64 |
Median Salary Position
16.79% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in East Orange
In East Orange, NJ, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,862 (2026 est.). At $82,041, the local median is 16.79% above the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in East Orange: You'd be above the median
How East Orange Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
East Orange median: $82,041/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | East Orange Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $80,908 | +1.40% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | +16.79% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in East Orange, NJ earn a median of $82,041 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.79% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 1.40% above the New Jersey state average of $80,908.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
East Orange has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
East Orange, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $82,041 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $71,216 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$68,661
2025 BLS Actual
$79,861
2026 Current Est.
$82,041
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in East Orange (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $68,661 | Actual |
| 2020 | $69,805 | Actual |
| 2021 | $71,452 | Actual |
| 2022 | $73,309 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,839 | Actual |
| 2024 | $88,760 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,861 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82,041 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84,281 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the East Orange metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $68,661 (2019) to $79,861 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $84,281 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,620 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the East Orange 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) | $57,463 – $69,491 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $69,491 – $82,041 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $82,041 – $93,521 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $93,521 – $105,325 |
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 East Orange
As of now, only nine physical therapist assistants are employed in East Orange, a small yet focused job market. With a cost-of-living index of 115.2, the financial realities of living in this area emphasize the need for a competitive salary to maintain purchasing power. In East Orange, those working in skilled nursing facilities or outpatient orthopedic clinics often see the highest wages, benefiting from the demand for rehabilitation services in both individual patient care settings and institutional environments. Several factors contribute to the disparity between lower and higher pay, including the expectations around productivity and supervisory requirements mandated by state law, as well as challenges resulting from the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut for PTA services that began affecting payer reimbursements in 2022. To maximize earning potential in this specific market, pursuing specialization or additional certifications, such as the PTA-to-DPT bridge pathway, may offer long-term benefits as career advancement opportunities arise.
More salary data for East Orange, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in East Orange, NJ in 2026?
Is East Orange, NJ a good place to work as a physical therapist assistant?
Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in East Orange?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in East Orange?
How much does a physical therapist assistant make per hour in East Orange?
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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 $79,861 for physical therapist assistantsin the East Orange 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 East Orange 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