Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Perth Amboy, NJ: $79,266 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Perth Amboy, NJ earns a median $79,266/year (≈ $38.11/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Perth Amboy's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $68,807 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, the physical therapist assistant salary in Perth Amboy, NJ, is projected to reach a median annual figure of $79,266, reflecting a notable 12.84% increase compared to the national average of $70,247. The salary range for this profession within the city spans from $57,467 at the 10th percentile to $104,198 at the 90th percentile, providing a robust spectrum for earning potential. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and account for regional price parities, painting a clear picture of the income dynamics faced by PTAs post-Medicare cuts. The local market has evolved significantly, particularly with the structural divide between outpatient services and skilled nursing facilities, leading to shifts in compensation structures that merit attention from both potential job seekers and employers alike.
About the Perth Amboy Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($76,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $57,467 | $27.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $70,337 | $33.82 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $79,266 | $38.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $91,819 | $44.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $104,198 | $50.09 |
Median Salary Position
12.84% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Perth Amboy
In Perth Amboy, NJ, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $46,731 (2026 est.). At $79,266, the local median is 12.84% above the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Perth Amboy: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Perth Amboy Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Perth Amboy median: $79,266/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Perth Amboy Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $80,884 | -2.00% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | +12.84% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Perth Amboy, NJ earn a median of $79,266 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.84% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 2.00% below the New Jersey state average of $80,884.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Perth Amboy has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Perth Amboy, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $79,266 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $68,807 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$66,339
2025 BLS Actual
$77,160
2026 Current Est.
$79,266
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Perth Amboy (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66,339 | Actual |
| 2020 | $67,444 | Actual |
| 2021 | $69,036 | Actual |
| 2022 | $70,830 | Actual |
| 2023 | $72,308 | Actual |
| 2024 | $85,758 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,160 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,266 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,430 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Perth Amboy metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $66,339 (2019) to $77,160 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $81,430 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,091 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Perth Amboy 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) | $57,467 – $70,337 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $70,337 – $79,266 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $79,266 – $91,819 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $91,819 – $104,198 |
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 Perth Amboy
In Perth Amboy, there are currently 13 physical therapist assistants employed, highlighting a somewhat limited but focused job market. The cost of living in this area, reflected by a cost-of-living index of 115.2, indicates that living expenses are higher than the national average, which affects take-home pay and purchasing power for PTAs. Employers that tend to offer competitive salaries often include outpatient orthopedic clinics and hospital inpatient rehab facilities, which are typically more lucrative than skilled nursing facilities due to the pressures of the 15% Medicare cut impacting reimbursement rates. The disparity in pay is also driven by factors such as productivity expectations and weekend or PRN premiums. For physical therapist assistants in Perth Amboy, strategies like seeking opportunities in higher-paying settings, pursuing additional certifications, or considering PTA-to-DPT bridge pathways could provide avenues to maximize their earning potential in a challenging market.
More salary data for Perth Amboy, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Perth Amboy, NJ in 2026?
Is Perth Amboy, NJ a good place to work as a physical therapist assistant?
Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Perth Amboy?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Perth Amboy?
How much does a physical therapist assistant make per hour in Perth Amboy?
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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 $77,160 for physical therapist assistantsin the Perth Amboy 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 Perth Amboy 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