Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in San Juan, PR: $31,158 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in San Juan, PR earns a median $31,158/year (≈ $14.98/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Puerto Rico's price level (25% below national, BEA RPP 75.0), that paycheck buys what $41,544 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 40.9% below the Puerto Rico state average.
Official BLS data · View source

In 2026, the physical therapist assistant salary in San Juan, PR is projected to reach a median annual figure of $31,158, a significant disparity when compared to the national median of $70,247. Full salaries for physical therapist assistants in this area range from $23,073 at the 10th percentile to as high as $68,942 at the 90th percentile. These insights are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, which predict a modest growth rate of 2.73% per year in this field. As many physical therapist assistants consider bridging to Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degrees, it’s important to recognize that pursuing this educational pathway can greatly enhance lifetime earning potential and job opportunities within the San Juan market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23,073 | $11.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26,206 | $12.60 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $31,158 | $14.98 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37,024 | $17.80 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $68,942 | $33.14 |
Median Salary Position
55.65% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Juan
In San Juan, PR, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $45,869 (2026 est.). At $31,158, the local median is 55.65% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in San Juan: You'd be in the entry-level range
How San Juan Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
San Juan median: $31,158/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Juan Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Puerto Rico Average | $52,721 | -40.90% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -55.65% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in San Juan, PR earn a median of $31,158 per year (2026 est.), which is 55.65% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 40.90% below the Puerto Rico state average of $52,721.
2019 BLS Actual
$22,040
2025 BLS Actual
$30,330
2026 Current Est.
$31,158
2019–2027 Growth
+45.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in San Juan (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22,040 | Actual |
| 2020 | $22,210 | Actual |
| 2021 | $23,160 | Actual |
| 2022 | $23,730 | Actual |
| 2023 | $25,650 | Actual |
| 2024 | $24,760 | Actual |
| 2025 | $30,330 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31,158 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32,009 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Juan metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 37.6% from $22,040 (2019) to $30,330 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $32,009 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,969 (45.23%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Juan 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) | $23,073 – $26,206 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $26,206 – $31,158 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $31,158 – $37,024 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $37,024 – $68,942 |
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 San Juan
With approximately 560 physical therapist assistants employed in San Juan, the local job market demonstrates stability amidst varying salary expectations. However, the cost of living in the region inevitably influences the real earnings power for these professionals. Employers within outpatient orthopedic clinics and skilled nursing facilities generally offer the most competitive pay, reflecting differences in productivity expectations, job responsibilities, and reimbursement rates, particularly following the 15% Medicare cut. While hospital inpatient rehabilitation positions often yield higher salaries, outpatient and skilled nursing settings may provide varied compensation depending on the setting's reliance on Medicare. To maximize their pay in San Juan, physical therapist assistants are encouraged to seek employment in high-demand outpatient settings or pursue additional certifications that align with employers’ needs, positioning themselves effectively to navigate a competitive field.
More salary data for San Juan, PR:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in San Juan, PR in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in San Juan?
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How much does a physical therapist assistant make per hour in San Juan?
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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 $30,330 for physical therapist assistantsin the San Juan 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