Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Erie, PA: $60,734 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Erie, PA earns a median $60,734/year (≈ $29.20/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Erie's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.0), that paycheck buys what $66,777 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.1% below the Pennsylvania state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Erie, Pennsylvania, the projected median annual salary for a physical therapist assistant is $60,734 for the year 2026, which highlights both the opportunities and challenges present in this sector. This figure sits below the national median of $70,247, illustrating a 13.54% difference that local professionals should consider when evaluating their career paths. Physical therapist assistants in this area can expect to earn between $46,948 at the lower end of the spectrum to $73,092 at the higher end. This salary data is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. For those considering further education, such as a bridge to a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program, the enhancement in earning potential can significantly impact lifetime income, making this an appealing option for many in the profession.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,948 | $22.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,002 | $26.44 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,734 | $29.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65,870 | $31.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $73,092 | $35.14 |
Median Salary Position
13.54% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Erie
In Erie, PA, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $26,144 (2026 est.). At $60,734, the local median is 13.54% below the national median of $70,247.
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At 40 hours/week in Erie: You'd be above the median
How Erie Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Erie median: $60,734/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Erie Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $63,331 | -4.10% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -13.54% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Erie, PA earn a median of $60,734 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.54% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 4.10% below the Pennsylvania state average of $63,331.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Erie has a cost of living 9.05% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Erie, PA has a cost-of-living index of 90.95 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $60,734 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $66,777 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.95% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$54,070
2025 BLS Actual
$59,120
2026 Current Est.
$60,734
2019–2027 Growth
+15.4%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Erie (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,070 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,810 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,340 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,540 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,930 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,350 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,120 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,734 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,392 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Erie metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 9.3% from $54,070 (2019) to $59,120 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,392 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,322 (15.39%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Erie 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) | $46,948 – $55,002 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,002 – $60,734 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,734 – $65,870 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $65,870 – $73,092 |
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 Erie
With 110 physical therapist assistants currently employed in the region, the local job market for this occupation is relatively stable, though the cost of living index in Erie is at 90.95, which is below the national average. This relatively low cost of living can benefit take-home pay, allowing for a better purchasing power compared to other areas. Outpatient orthopedic clinics and hospital inpatient rehabilitation settings tend to offer higher wages compared to skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies, influenced by factors such as setting, productivity expectations, and supervision requirements. The recent Medicare 15% cut to PTA services has also created a disparity in pay, particularly in settings reliant on Medicare reimbursements. Professionals seeking to maximize their pay in Erie should consider specializing in outpatient services or obtaining additional certifications to enhance their skill set and marketability, as these paths often lead to greater financial rewards in the current job market.
More salary data for Erie, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Erie, PA in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Erie?
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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 $59,120 for physical therapist assistantsin the Erie 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