Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in State College, PA: $60,385 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in State College, PA earns a median $60,385/year (≈ $29.03/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in State College's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 96.8), that paycheck buys what $62,406 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.7% below the Pennsylvania state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, physical therapist assistants in State College, Pennsylvania, can expect a median annual salary of $60,385. The salary range for this occupation spans from $48,334 at the lowest 10th percentile to $76,400 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse demands and settings in which PTAs operate. These figures are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys. While the compensation for PTAs in State College is comparatively lower than the national average of $70,247, the local job market remains a viable option for those beginning their careers in therapy, especially with the projected growth rate of 2.73% annually, indicating steady demand for this essential health care role.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,334 | $23.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,153 | $25.55 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,385 | $29.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63,549 | $30.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $76,400 | $36.73 |
Median Salary Position
14.04% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in State College
In State College, PA, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,066 (2026 est.). At $60,385, the local median is 14.04% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in State College: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How State College Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
State College median: $60,385/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | State College Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $63,363 | -4.70% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -14.04% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in State College, PA earn a median of $60,385 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.04% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 4.70% below the Pennsylvania state average of $63,363.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
State College has a cost of living 3.24% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
State College, PA has a cost-of-living index of 96.762 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $60,385 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,406 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.35% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$60,770
2025 BLS Actual
$58,780
2026 Current Est.
$60,385
2019–2027 Growth
+2.1%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in State College (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60,770 | Actual |
| 2020 | $51,379 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,420 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,760 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,260 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,170 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,780 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,385 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,033 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the State College metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew -3.3% from $60,770 (2019) to $58,780 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,033 by 2027 — a total increase of $1,263 (2.08%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the State College 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) | $48,334 – $53,153 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,153 – $60,385 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,385 – $63,549 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $63,549 – $76,400 |
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 State College
The State College job market features approximately 50 employed physical therapist assistants, highlighting a specialized yet stable environment for prospective PTAs. With a cost of living index of 96.762, the affordability factor enhances the purchasing power of salaries here, despite lower salary numbers compared to national averages. Outpatient orthopedic clinics often offer the highest pay within the local market, partly due to the productivity expectations associated with these roles. The variance in compensation can be attributed to factors such as setting; hospital rehabilitation typically pays more than outpatient or skilled nursing facilities, where recent Medicare cuts have pressured pay rates. To maximize earnings in State College, PTAs should consider opportunities in settings like hospital inpatient rehab or explore specialized areas, potentially leveraging additional certifications or experience to negotiate higher pay rates.
More salary data for State College, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in State College, PA in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in State College?
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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 $58,780 for physical therapist assistantsin the State College 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, 6-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