Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Trenton, NJ: $77,469 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Trenton, NJ earns a median $77,469/year (≈ $37.24/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Trenton's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $75,081 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.3% below the New Jersey state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the physical therapist assistant salary in Trenton, NJ is projected to reach a median of $77,469, notably higher than the national median of $70,247, reflecting a robust market in the area. The salary range is quite expansive, with entry-level positions starting at $35,740 (P10) and experienced professionals earning up to $84,465 (P90). This information is derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, and it reveals a local job market that has been significantly influenced by structural changes in healthcare, particularly the impact of Medicare cuts on reimbursement rates. Post-cut, outpatient settings have remained relatively more favorable compared to skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), driving a competitive landscape for physical therapist assistants looking to maximize their earning potential in Trenton.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,740 | $17.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,995 | $24.51 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $77,469 | $37.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81,403 | $39.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $84,465 | $40.61 |
Median Salary Position
10.28% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Trenton
In Trenton, NJ, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $48,725 (2026 est.). At $77,469, the local median is 10.28% above the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Trenton: You'd be in the upper quartile
How Trenton Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Trenton median: $77,469/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Trenton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $80,950 | -4.30% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | +10.28% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Trenton, NJ earn a median of $77,469 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.28% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 4.30% below the New Jersey state average of $80,950.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Trenton has a cost of living 3.18% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Trenton, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 103.18 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $77,469 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $75,081 — a 3.08% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$64,834
2025 BLS Actual
$75,410
2026 Current Est.
$77,469
2019–2027 Growth
+22.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Trenton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,834 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,915 | Actual |
| 2021 | $66,490 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,870 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,220 | Actual |
| 2024 | $67,130 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,410 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,469 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,584 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Trenton metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $64,834 (2019) to $75,410 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $79,584 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,750 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Trenton 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) | $35,740 – $50,995 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,995 – $77,469 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $77,469 – $81,403 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $81,403 – $84,465 |
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 Trenton
As of 2026, there are approximately 80 physical therapist assistants employed in Trenton, reflecting steady demand for this profession. However, the cost of living index in the area stands at 103.18, indicating that salaries need to accommodate slightly higher living expenses than the national average. Among local employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics tend to offer the most competitive pay, followed closely by hospital inpatient rehab settings, while SNFs have generally lagged due to the residual effects of the Medicare 15% reimbursement cut. Factors influencing pay disparities include the productivity expectations placed on PTAs, weekend and PRN premiums, and supervisory duties mandated by laws and Medicare. To enhance their earning potential, PTAs in Trenton should consider pursuing niche specialties, gaining experience in high-demand settings, or exploring bridge programs to transition into higher-paying roles within the industry.
More salary data for Trenton, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Trenton?
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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 $75,410 for physical therapist assistantsin the Trenton 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-year dataset (–). 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