Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Reading, PA: $71,428 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Reading, PA earns a median $71,428/year (≈ $34.34/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Reading's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $73,592 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 12.7% above the Pennsylvania state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Reading, Pennsylvania, physical therapist assistants can expect to earn a median annual salary of $71,428 in 2026. This figure not only reflects the competitive nature of the local job market but also positions it slightly above the national median, which is estimated at $70,247 for the same year. Salaries in Reading operate within a range from $53,471 at the 10th percentile to $80,458 at the 90th percentile. This data is derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, indicating a growing demand for PTAs in the area. The expected productivity levels, particularly in settings that require higher visit frequencies, can significantly impact compensation and opportunities for advancement.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,471 | $25.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61,361 | $29.50 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $71,428 | $34.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79,123 | $38.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,458 | $38.69 |
Median Salary Position
1.68% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Reading
In Reading, PA, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $26,987 (2026 est.). At $71,428, the local median is 1.68% above the national median of $70,247.
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At 40 hours/week in Reading: You'd be above the median
How Reading Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Reading median: $71,428/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Reading Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $63,379 | +12.70% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | +1.68% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Reading, PA earn a median of $71,428 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.68% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 12.70% above the Pennsylvania state average of $63,379.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Reading has a cost of living 2.94% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Reading, PA has a cost-of-living index of 97.06 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $71,428 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $73,592 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.03% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$57,820
2025 BLS Actual
$69,530
2026 Current Est.
$71,428
2019–2027 Growth
+26.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Reading (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,820 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,750 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,920 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,710 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,630 | Actual |
| 2024 | $67,470 | Actual |
| 2025 | $69,530 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $71,428 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $73,378 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Reading metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 20.3% from $57,820 (2019) to $69,530 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $73,378 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,558 (26.91%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Reading 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) | $53,471 – $61,361 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $61,361 – $71,428 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $71,428 – $79,123 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $79,123 – $80,458 |
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 Reading
With 90 physical therapist assistants currently employed in Reading, the job market for this profession is relatively stable, particularly considering the cost-of-living index for the area is 97.06, suggesting that living expenses are slightly below the national average. This affordability can provide decent take-home purchasing power for PTAs. Employers in Reading that tend to offer higher pay include outpatient orthopedic clinics and skilled nursing facilities, while roles in home health services and pediatric clinics may present different compensation levels due to varying productivity expectations and supervision requirements. Factors contributing to salary disparities include the work setting, weekend or as-needed premiums, and the ongoing impact of the 15% Medicare cut on services reliant on federal funding. Aspiring PTAs in Reading may enhance their earnings by pursuing additional certifications or specializing in high-demand areas, positioning themselves for the best opportunities in this evolving landscape.
More salary data for Reading, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Reading, PA in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Reading?
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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 $69,530 for physical therapist assistantsin the Reading 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