Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Pennsylvania: $66,984 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Pennsylvania's 24 metropolitan areas, the average median physical therapist assistant pay sits at $66,984/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-2021. Because Pennsylvania sits at BEA RPP 97.4 (3% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $68,772 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Philadelphia ($71,540), Reading ($69,530), Chambersburg ($67,190).
In Pennsylvania, physical therapist assistants are projected to earn an average median salary of $66,984 in 2026, which is about 4.6% lower than the national median of $70,247. The salary range across the state varies significantly, with Philadelphia offering the highest salaries at $73,493, while Pittsburgh has the lowest at $57,549, highlighting a gap of $15,944. This difference can be attributed to factors such as cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and competition among employers in metropolitan areas. Employment for physical therapist assistants in Pennsylvania stands at approximately 3,910, with a steady growth rate of 2.73% anticipated annually. Key factors influencing job demand include an aging population, increased awareness of physical rehabilitation, and evolving healthcare practices. Additionally, Pennsylvania’s licensing requirements and scope of practice laws shape the profession's landscape. The top five projected cities for salaries in 2026 are Philadelphia at $73,493, Reading at $71,428, Chambersburg at $69,024, Bethlehem at $68,938, and Allentown at $67,298. Understanding these regional dynamics is crucial for aspiring physical therapist assistants seeking to maximize their career potential in Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania Physical Therapist Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in Pennsylvania: $41,660 (lowest entry-level) to $88,547 (highest top earner)
Pennsylvania vs National Average
Pennsylvania physical therapist assistants earn 4.65% less than the national median ($-3,263/year difference).
Pennsylvania Physical Therapist Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Physical Therapist Assistant salaries in Pennsylvania range from $55,411 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $80,002 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $66,984. The Pennsylvania median is $3,263 below the US national median of $70,247. The average hourly rate is $32.21/hr. Approximately 3,910 physical therapist assistants are employed across 24 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$57,603
2025 BLS Actual
$65,204
2026 Current Est.
$66,984
2019–2027 Growth
+19.5%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Pennsylvania (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,603 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,721 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,629 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,157 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,649 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,316 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,204 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,984 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,813 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pennsylvania metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 13.2% from $57,603 (2019) to $65,204 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,813 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,210 (19.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pennsylvania 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Pennsylvania
Lowest Paying Cities in Pennsylvania
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Pittsburgh | $57,549 |
| West Chester | $59,312 |
| Johnstown | $59,666 |
| Pottstown | $59,750 |
| State College | $60,385 |
Best Value Cities for Physical Therapist Assistants in Pennsylvania
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Pennsylvania cities offer the most purchasing power for physical therapist assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading | $71,428 | 97.06 | $73,592 |
| Chambersburg | $69,024 | 94.642 | $72,932 |
| Philadelphia | $73,493 | 102.554 | $71,663 |
| Altoona | $63,354 | 89.507 | $70,781 |
| Bethlehem | $68,938 | 97.4 | $70,778 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Pennsylvania
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $55,411 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $66,984 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $80,002 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Pennsylvania metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 24 Cities in Pennsylvania
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Philadelphia | $73,493 |
| 2 | Reading | $71,428 |
| 3 | Chambersburg | $69,024 |
| 4 | Bethlehem | $68,938 |
| 5 | Allentown | $67,298 |
| 6 | Easton | $66,144 |
| 7 | York | $64,104 |
| 8 | Harrisburg | $64,032 |
| 9 | Lancaster | $63,641 |
| 10 | Altoona | $63,354 |
| 11 | Wilkes-Barre | $62,345 |
| 12 | Scranton | $62,172 |
| 13 | Williamsport | $62,131 |
| 14 | Lebanon | $61,823 |
| 15 | Hazleton | $61,480 |
| 16 | Norristown | $61,362 |
| 17 | Chester | $61,220 |
| 18 | Erie | $60,734 |
| 19 | New Castle | $60,613 |
| 20 | State College | $60,385 |
| 21 | Pottstown | $59,750 |
| 22 | Johnstown | $59,666 |
| 23 | West Chester | $59,312 |
| 24 | Pittsburgh | $57,549 |
More Pennsylvania Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore physical therapist assistant hourly pay in Pennsylvania cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new physical therapist assistants.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced physical therapist assistants.
Compare Cities in Pennsylvania
View all comparisons →Explore More Physical Therapist Assistant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Pennsylvania in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for physical therapist assistants in Pennsylvania?
How does Pennsylvania physical therapist assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level physical therapist assistant salary in Pennsylvania?
How many physical therapist assistants are employed in Pennsylvania?
Which Pennsylvania city offers the best value for physical therapist assistants?
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
Statewide 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. A 2.73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 physical therapist assistant compensation across Pennsylvania. State averages are employment-weighted across 24 metro areas — larger metro areas with more physical therapist assistantscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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