Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Middletown, NJ: $79,670 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Middletown, NJ earns a median $79,670/year (≈ $38.31/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Middletown's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $69,158 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physical therapist assistants in Middletown, New Jersey, can expect a median salary of $79,670, which is notably higher than the national median of $70,247, indicating a 13.41% premium for local professionals. The salary range for this role varies significantly, from $58,403 at the 10th percentile to $100,471 at the 90th percentile. These figures are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price variations. With 15 physical therapist assistants actively employed in the area, competition for quality positions remains stable, driven by the area's healthcare demands and the inherent productivity expectations that influence salary structures.
About the Middletown Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($76,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $58,403 | $28.08 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $71,176 | $34.22 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $79,670 | $38.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $89,732 | $43.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $100,471 | $48.30 |
Median Salary Position
13.41% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Middletown
In Middletown, NJ, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $42,068 (2026 est.). At $79,670, the local median is 13.41% above the national median of $70,247.
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At 40 hours/week in Middletown: You'd be above the median
How Middletown Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Middletown median: $79,670/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Middletown Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $80,966 | -1.60% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | +13.41% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Middletown, NJ earn a median of $79,670 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.41% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 1.60% below the New Jersey state average of $80,966.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Middletown has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Middletown, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $79,670 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $69,158 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$66,677
2025 BLS Actual
$77,553
2026 Current Est.
$79,670
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Middletown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66,677 | Actual |
| 2020 | $67,788 | Actual |
| 2021 | $69,387 | Actual |
| 2022 | $71,190 | Actual |
| 2023 | $72,676 | Actual |
| 2024 | $86,195 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,553 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,670 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,845 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Middletown metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $66,677 (2019) to $77,553 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $81,845 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,168 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Middletown 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) | $58,403 – $71,176 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $71,176 – $79,670 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $79,670 – $89,732 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $89,732 – $100,471 |
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 Middletown
Middletown's cost of living index sits at 115.2, suggesting that while salaries may be higher than average, so too are the expenses associated with living here. Employers that typically offer the most competitive pay include outpatient orthopedic clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and hospital inpatient rehab settings. Pay disparities can often be attributed to setting; those in hospital inpatient roles generally earn more than outpatient or skilled nursing positions, particularly following the 15% Medicare cut that impacted reimbursement for PTA services. Physical therapist assistants aiming to maximize their pay should seek positions in high-demand environments, possibly consider specializing in certain areas of rehabilitation, and benefit from additional certifications that could improve their marketability. By understanding local dynamics, PTAs can secure higher compensation in the evolving landscape of physical therapy in Middletown, NJ.
More salary data for Middletown, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Middletown?
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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 $77,553 for physical therapist assistantsin the Middletown 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 Middletown 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