Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Bend, OR: $64,196 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Bend, OR earns a median $64,196/year (≈ $30.87/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Bend's price level (4% above national, BEA RPP 103.6), that paycheck buys what $61,961 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.9% below the Oregon state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Bend, Oregon, 2026 estimates project a median annual salary of $64,196 for physical therapist assistants. This figure falls below the national median of $70,247, positioning Bend's compensation approximately 8.61% lower. Physical therapist assistants in the region can expect to earn within a salary range from $62,614 at the 10th percentile to $86,396 at the 90th percentile, according to data derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys. With 80 current PTA positions in the area, the limited workforce contributes to the dynamics of salary negotiations. As Bend's healthcare landscape continues to evolve, understanding the prevailing salary trends will be crucial for professionals entering this field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $62,614 | $30.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63,302 | $30.44 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,196 | $30.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81,259 | $39.07 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86,396 | $41.53 |
Median Salary Position
8.61% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bend
In Bend, OR, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $23,782 (2026 est.). At $64,196, the local median is 8.61% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bend: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Bend Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Bend median: $64,196/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bend Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Average | $68,954 | -6.90% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -8.61% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Bend, OR earn a median of $64,196 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.61% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 6.90% below the Oregon state average of $68,954.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bend has a cost of living 3.61% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bend, OR has a cost-of-living index of 103.607 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $64,196 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $61,961 — a 3.48% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,726
2025 BLS Actual
$62,490
2026 Current Est.
$64,196
2019–2027 Growth
+22.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Bend (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,726 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,622 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,360 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,120 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,780 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,250 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,490 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,196 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,949 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bend metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $53,726 (2019) to $62,490 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,949 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,223 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bend 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) | $62,614 – $63,302 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $63,302 – $64,196 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,196 – $81,259 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $81,259 – $86,396 |
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 Bend
The local job market for physical therapist assistants shows steady growth, with a projected annual growth rate of 2.73%. However, the cost of living in Bend stands at a relatively high index of 103.607, which impacts the overall take-home purchasing power for PTAs. To maximize earning potential in this market, PTAs may find that working in outpatient orthopedic clinics often yields higher pay compared to skilled nursing facilities and other settings. Factors such as setting, productivity expectations, and the long-term impact of the 15% Medicare cut in reimbursement for PTA services play significant roles in pay variation. For those in Bend, being strategic about hours worked, seeking continuous education, and considering PTA-to-DPT bridging programs through APTA resources can enhance career development and compensation in a competitive market.
More salary data for Bend, OR:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Bend, OR in 2026?
Is Bend, OR a good place to work as a physical therapist assistant?
Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Bend?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Bend?
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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 $62,490 for physical therapist assistantsin the Bend 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