Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Portland, OR: $76,729 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Portland, OR earns a median $76,729/year (≈ $36.89/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Portland's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.4), that paycheck buys what $72,783 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 11.3% above the Oregon state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, physical therapist assistants in Portland, Oregon, can expect a median annual salary of $76,729, which is notably higher than the national median of $70,247. The projected salary range for this profession varies significantly, with entry-level positions earning as little as $57,632 and experienced professionals potentially making up to $93,238. These statistics derive from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) occupational employment and wage statistics for the area. The healthcare landscape in Portland shows promising growth, indicating that the demand for physical therapist assistants is likely to remain strong amid increasing healthcare needs.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $57,632 | $27.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65,285 | $31.38 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $76,729 | $36.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $85,132 | $40.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $93,238 | $44.82 |
Median Salary Position
9.23% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Portland
In Portland, OR, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $35,606 (2026 est.). At $76,729, the local median is 9.23% above the national median of $70,247.
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At 40 hours/week in Portland: You'd be above the median
How Portland Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Portland median: $76,729/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Portland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Average | $68,939 | +11.30% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | +9.23% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Portland, OR earn a median of $76,729 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.23% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 11.30% above the Oregon state average of $68,939.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Portland has a cost of living 5.42% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Portland, OR has a cost-of-living index of 105.421 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $76,729 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $72,783 — a 5.14% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$61,560
2025 BLS Actual
$74,690
2026 Current Est.
$76,729
2019–2027 Growth
+28.0%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Portland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,560 | Actual |
| 2020 | $62,570 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,560 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,890 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,590 | Actual |
| 2024 | $70,880 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,690 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,729 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78,824 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Portland metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 21.3% from $61,560 (2019) to $74,690 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $78,824 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,264 (28.04%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Portland 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) | $57,632 – $65,285 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $65,285 – $76,729 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $76,729 – $85,132 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $85,132 – $93,238 |
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 Portland
The job market for physical therapist assistants in Portland is robust, with approximately 470 practitioners currently employed in the area. However, the local cost of living, evidenced by a cost-of-living index of 105.421, can impact take-home pay and overall financial flexibility. Typically, outpatient orthopedic clinics offer higher compensation relative to skilled nursing facilities, which have faced added pressures from reimbursement cuts, particularly after the 15% Medicare reduction affecting certain settings. Factors contributing to the wage disparity include expectations around productivity, varying work settings, and specific supervisory requirements. For those entering or currently working in Portland's PTA market, aligning with high-demand employers and considering settings with more favorable reimbursement rates can be advantageous strategies to maximize physical therapist assistant pay in Portland OR.
More salary data for Portland, OR:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Portland, OR in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Portland?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Portland?
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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 $74,690 for physical therapist assistantsin the Portland 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