Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Allentown, PA: $67,298 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Allentown, PA earns a median $67,298/year (≈ $32.35/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Allentown's price level (0% above national, BEA RPP 100.0), that paycheck buys what $67,320 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.2% above the Pennsylvania state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, physical therapist assistants in Allentown, Pennsylvania, can expect a median annual salary of $67,298, slightly below the national average of $70,247. The salary range for this profession also reflects varying levels of experience and work environments, with earnings projected to span from $59,162 at the 10th percentile to $80,551 at the 90th percentile. This compensation data is derived from official BLS OEWS surveys and highlights the impact of recent structural shifts within the market, particularly the divisions that emerged following Medicare cuts to reimbursement rates. Professionals working in outpatient settings might find themselves earning differently as compared to those positioned in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), illustrating the need for adaptability in both roles and expectations within the evolving landscape of healthcare in Allentown.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $59,162 | $28.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62,203 | $29.90 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $67,298 | $32.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,715 | $37.36 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,551 | $38.73 |
Median Salary Position
4.2% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Allentown
In Allentown, PA, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $21,389 (2026 est.). At $67,298, the local median is 4.2% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Allentown: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Allentown Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Allentown median: $67,298/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Allentown Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $63,370 | +6.20% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | -4.20% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Allentown, PA earn a median of $67,298 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.20% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 6.20% above the Pennsylvania state average of $63,370.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Allentown has a cost of living 0.03% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Allentown, PA has a cost-of-living index of 99.968 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $67,298 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $67,320 in an average-cost city — an effective 0.03% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$56,280
2025 BLS Actual
$65,510
2026 Current Est.
$67,298
2019–2027 Growth
+22.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Allentown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,280 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,930 | Actual |
| 2021 | $55,040 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,320 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,820 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,080 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,510 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,298 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,136 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Allentown metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.4% from $56,280 (2019) to $65,510 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,136 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,856 (22.84%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Allentown 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) | $59,162 – $62,203 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $62,203 – $67,298 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $67,298 – $77,715 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,715 – $80,551 |
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 Allentown
As of 2026, Allentown is home to approximately 250 physical therapist assistants, providing a steady job market for those in the field. The cost of living index, resting at 99.968, suggests a slightly lower-than-average financial environment, which may allow for an extended dollar to stretch further for local PTAs. Outpatient orthopedic clinics and home health agencies tend to offer some of the highest pay among local employers, influenced by demand and the complexity of care provided. Variations in pay often arise from factors such as practice setting—hospital environments typically afford higher salaries than SNFs, particularly since the advent of the Medicare 15% reimbursement cut has impacted the latter. To maximize earnings, aspiring PTAs should consider targeting outpatient facilities or home health agencies and be open to obtaining additional certifications that may elevate their marketability in a competitive arena.
More salary data for Allentown, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $65,510 for physical therapist assistantsin the Allentown 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