Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Altoona, PA: $63,354 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Altoona, PA earns a median $63,354/year (≈ $30.46/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Altoona's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.5), that paycheck buys what $70,781 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Pennsylvania state average.
Official BLS data · View source
As the outpatient versus skilled nursing facility (SNF) dynamics shift in the wake of recent Medicare cuts, the median physical therapist assistant salary in Altoona, PA, is projected to be $63,354 in 2026. This figure falls below the national median of $70,247, reflecting a 9.81% disparity that underscores local market conditions. The salary range for physical therapist assistants in this area stretches from $49,660 at the 10th percentile to $75,445 at the 90th percentile, with many professionals navigating this landscape under the evolving demands of both settings. These projections, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, point to a sector adjusting to significant regulatory changes affecting compensation structures and job responsibilities in the region.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,660 | $23.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58,227 | $27.99 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,354 | $30.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67,853 | $32.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $75,445 | $36.27 |
Median Salary Position
9.81% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Altoona
In Altoona, PA, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $25,785 (2026 est.). At $63,354, the local median is 9.81% below the national median of $70,247.
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At 40 hours/week in Altoona: You'd be above the median
How Altoona Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Altoona median: $63,354/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Altoona Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $70,247 | -9.81% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Altoona, PA earn a median of $63,354 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.81% lower than the national median of $70,247.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Altoona has a cost of living 10.49% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Altoona, PA has a cost-of-living index of 89.507 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $63,354 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $70,781 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.72% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$58,480
2025 BLS Actual
$61,670
2026 Current Est.
$63,354
2019–2027 Growth
+11.3%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Altoona (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,480 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,120 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,980 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,440 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,150 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,460 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,670 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,354 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,083 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Altoona metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 5.5% from $58,480 (2019) to $61,670 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,083 by 2027 — a total increase of $6,603 (11.29%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Altoona 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) | $49,660 – $58,227 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $58,227 – $63,354 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,354 – $67,853 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $67,853 – $75,445 |
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 Altoona
With a local workforce of approximately 80 physical therapist assistants, the job market in Altoona is relatively stable even amid these changes. The cost of living index at 89.507 indicates that salaries in this area may stretch further than in regions with higher costs, which is an important consideration for take-home purchasing power. Employers that typically offer the highest compensation often reside within outpatient orthopedic clinics or hospital inpatient rehab programs, where productivity expectations are typically greater, accompanied by the benefits of additional premiums for weekend or PRN work. The ongoing impact of the 15% cut to Medicare reimbursement for PTA services places added pressure on pay, particularly in SNFs. To maximize earning potential, physical therapist assistants should explore outpatient roles, seek continuing education opportunities, and consider pathways to bridge into Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) programs, as these can enhance both skills and marketability in Altoona's evolving job landscape.
More salary data for Altoona, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Altoona?
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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 $61,670 for physical therapist assistantsin the Altoona 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