Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Puerto Rico: $30,859 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Puerto Rico's 4 metropolitan areas, the average median physical therapist assistant pay sits at $30,859/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-2021. Because Puerto Rico sits at BEA RPP 75.0 (25% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $41,145 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Mayaguez ($30,950), San Juan ($30,330), Aguadilla ($29,120).

In 2026, the average median salary for physical therapist assistants in Puerto Rico is projected to be $30,859, significantly lower than the national median of $70,247, resulting in a gap of -56.1%. Mayaguez offers the highest pay at $31,795, whereas Ponce has the lowest at $29,124, creating a salary difference of $1,671. This variation can be attributed to factors like local demand for physical therapy services, variations in cost of living, and the availability of healthcare facilities. In Puerto Rico, physical therapist assistants must navigate state-specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that dictate their responsibilities and interactions with patients. The demand is expected to grow steadily at a rate of 2.73% annually, reflecting a consistent need for rehabilitative services across the island. The total employment for this role stands at 790, suggesting a stable job market, though the significant disparity between local salaries and national averages may impact the attraction and retention of talent in the field. Cities like San Juan and Aguadilla exhibit slightly better salaries at $31,158 and $29,915 respectively, but still fall short of national benchmarks. Overall, while the demand for services is present, prospective assistants should consider the economic context when evaluating career opportunities in Puerto Rico.
Puerto Rico Physical Therapist Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in Puerto Rico: $22,436 (lowest entry-level) to $68,942 (highest top earner)
Puerto Rico vs National Average
Puerto Rico physical therapist assistants earn 56.07% less than the national median ($-39,388/year difference).
Puerto Rico Physical Therapist Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Physical Therapist Assistant salaries in Puerto Rico range from $23,143 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $68,436 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $30,859. The Puerto Rico median is $39,388 below the US national median of $70,247. The average hourly rate is $14.83/hr. Approximately 790 physical therapist assistants are employed across 4 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$21,693
2025 BLS Actual
$30,039
2026 Current Est.
$30,859
2019–2027 Growth
+46.1%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Puerto Rico (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21,693 | Actual |
| 2020 | $22,215 | Actual |
| 2021 | $22,385 | Actual |
| 2022 | $23,959 | Actual |
| 2023 | $25,293 | Actual |
| 2024 | $24,779 | Actual |
| 2025 | $30,039 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30,859 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31,701 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Puerto Rico metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 38.5% from $21,693 (2019) to $30,039 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $31,701 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,008 (46.13%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Puerto Rico 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.
Top 4 Highest Paying Cities in Puerto Rico
Salary by Experience Level in Puerto Rico
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $23,143 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $30,859 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $68,436 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Puerto Rico metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 4 Cities in Puerto Rico
More Puerto Rico Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore physical therapist assistant hourly pay in Puerto Rico cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced physical therapist assistants.
Explore More Physical Therapist Assistant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Puerto Rico in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for physical therapist assistants in Puerto Rico?
How does Puerto Rico physical therapist assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level physical therapist assistant salary in Puerto Rico?
How many physical therapist assistants are employed in Puerto Rico?
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
Statewide 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. A 2.73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 physical therapist assistant compensation across Puerto Rico. State averages are employment-weighted across 4 metro areas — larger metro areas with more physical therapist assistantscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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