Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Tulsa, OK: $61,546 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Tulsa, OK earns a median $61,546/year (≈ $29.59/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Tulsa's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.2), that paycheck buys what $68,987 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% below the Oklahoma state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Tulsa, Oklahoma, the average compensation for physical therapist assistants is projected to be quite competitive given local productivity expectations. With a median annual salary of $61,546, the pay structure ranges from $27,152 at the lowest end to an impressive $83,489 for those at the higher percentiles. These figures, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, indicate a local market that is gradually expanding, despite being approximately 12.39% lower than the national median of $70,247 in 2026. This salary context reflects the unique dynamics of the healthcare environment in Tulsa, where patient visit volumes play a significant role in determining income.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $27,152 | $13.06 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $59,892 | $28.80 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,546 | $29.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79,770 | $38.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83,489 | $40.14 |
Median Salary Position
12.39% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tulsa
In Tulsa, OK, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $56,337 (2026 est.). At $61,546, the local median is 12.39% below the national median of $70,247.
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At 40 hours/week in Tulsa: You'd be above the median
How Tulsa Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Tulsa median: $61,546/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tulsa Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma Average | $62,419 | -1.40% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -12.39% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Tulsa, OK earn a median of $61,546 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.39% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 1.40% below the Oklahoma state average of $62,419.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tulsa has a cost of living 10.79% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Tulsa, OK has a cost-of-living index of 89.214 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $61,546 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $68,987 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.09% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$60,320
2025 BLS Actual
$59,910
2026 Current Est.
$61,546
2019–2027 Growth
+4.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Tulsa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60,320 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,650 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,110 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,330 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,000 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,380 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,910 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,546 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,226 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tulsa metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew -0.7% from $60,320 (2019) to $59,910 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,226 by 2027 — a total increase of $2,906 (4.82%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tulsa 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) | $27,152 – $59,892 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $59,892 – $61,546 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,546 – $79,770 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $79,770 – $83,489 |
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 Tulsa
As the job market for physical therapist assistants in Tulsa includes around 680 active professionals, it offers significant opportunities for new entrants and experienced PTAs alike. The current cost of living index of 89.214 allows for a comparatively favorable purchasing power, though some pay differentials remain notable within various healthcare settings. Outpatient orthopedic clinics typically lead in compensation, while skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies have struggled after Medicare's recent cuts. Factors such as working in a hospital setting generally provide improved pay prospects, while productivity demands and weekend shifts can enhance earnings potential. For aspiring PTAs navigating the local landscape, focusing on outpatient roles can maximize income while understanding the implications of Medicare policies and payment structures will be vital for long-term career growth.
More salary data for Tulsa, OK:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Tulsa, OK in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Tulsa?
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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 $59,910 for physical therapist assistantsin the Tulsa 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, 7-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