Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Shawnee, OK: $60,690 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Shawnee, OK earns a median $60,690/year (≈ $29.18/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Shawnee's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 88.9), that paycheck buys what $68,268 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.8% below the Oklahoma state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for physical therapist assistants in Shawnee, Oklahoma, is estimated at $60,690, reflecting a notable disparity compared to the national median of $70,247. The salary range indicates varying levels of compensation in the field, with the lowest 10% earning approximately $41,605 and the top 90% making up to $78,704. This data, derived from 2025 BLS state-level information and adjusted for regional price differences, highlights the financial realities for PTAs in Shawnee. As the demand for physical therapist assistants continues to grow in the region, understanding the projected compensation can be advantageous for those considering entering this healthcare profession.
About the Shawnee Market
Salary estimated from Oklahoma average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,605 | $20.00 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,602 | $26.73 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,690 | $29.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67,947 | $32.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78,704 | $37.84 |
Median Salary Position
13.6% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Shawnee
In Shawnee, OK, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $37,099 (2026 est.). At $60,690, the local median is 13.6% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Shawnee: You'd be above the median
How Shawnee Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Shawnee median: $60,690/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Shawnee Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma Average | $62,438 | -2.80% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -13.60% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Shawnee, OK earn a median of $60,690 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.60% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 2.80% below the Oklahoma state average of $62,438.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Shawnee has a cost of living 11.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Shawnee, OK has a cost-of-living index of 88.9 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $60,690 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $68,268 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.49% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$50,792
2025 BLS Actual
$59,077
2026 Current Est.
$60,690
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Shawnee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,792 | Actual |
| 2020 | $51,638 | Actual |
| 2021 | $52,857 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,230 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,362 | Actual |
| 2024 | $55,293 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,077 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,690 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,347 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Shawnee metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $50,792 (2019) to $59,077 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,347 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,555 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Shawnee 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) | $41,605 – $55,602 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,602 – $60,690 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,690 – $67,947 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $67,947 – $78,704 |
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 Shawnee
Currently, there are only seven physical therapist assistants employed in Shawnee, which speaks to a relatively niche job market within this profession. The cost of living index stands at 88.9, indicating that the living expenses are below the national average. This lower cost of living can enhance the purchasing power for PTAs when evaluating their take-home earnings. Among local employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics tend to offer the most competitive salaries. Factors influencing the salary range include the setting in which PTAs work, with hospital-based positions generally offering higher pay than outpatient or skilled nursing facilities, especially after the Medicare cuts that reduced reimbursement for PTA services. Professionals aiming to maximize their earnings may consider seeking supervisory roles, pursuing further education to transition to a DPT, or considering roles that offer weekend or PRN positions, which often come with premium rates.
More salary data for Shawnee, OK:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Shawnee, OK in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Shawnee?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Shawnee?
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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 $59,077 for physical therapist assistantsin the Shawnee 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 Shawnee 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