Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Cranston, RI: $69,056 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Cranston, RI earns a median $69,056/year (≈ $33.20/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Cranston's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.5), that paycheck buys what $68,712 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% below the Rhode Island state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physical therapist assistants in Cranston, Rhode Island, can expect to earn a median salary of $69,056 annually, which is slightly below the national median of $70,247. The local pay for this role exhibits a broad spectrum, with earnings ranging from $49,914 at the lower tenth percentile to $92,931 at the upper ninetieth percentile. These figures are informed by estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost of living. The competitive earnings reflect not only the demand for PTAs in Cranston but also the prospects for long-term career advancement, especially for those pursuing the PTA-to-DPT bridge, which can further enhance lifetime earnings.
About the Cranston Market
Salary estimated from Rhode Island average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,914 | $24.00 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61,164 | $29.40 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $69,056 | $33.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81,497 | $39.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $92,931 | $44.68 |
Median Salary Position
1.7% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cranston
In Cranston, RI, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $43,017 (2026 est.). At $69,056, the local median is 1.7% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cranston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cranston Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Cranston median: $69,056/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cranston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island Average | $70,610 | -2.20% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -1.70% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Cranston, RI earn a median of $69,056 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.70% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 2.20% below the Rhode Island state average of $70,610.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cranston has a cost of living 0.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cranston, RI has a cost-of-living index of 100.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $69,056 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $68,712 — a 0.5% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$57,794
2025 BLS Actual
$67,221
2026 Current Est.
$69,056
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Cranston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,794 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,757 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,143 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,706 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,994 | Actual |
| 2024 | $66,847 | Actual |
| 2025 | $67,221 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69,056 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70,941 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cranston metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $57,794 (2019) to $67,221 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $70,941 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,147 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cranston 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) | $49,914 – $61,164 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $61,164 – $69,056 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $69,056 – $81,497 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $81,497 – $92,931 |
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 Cranston
The job market for physical therapist assistants in Cranston is relatively stable, with approximately 12 PTAs currently employed in the area. While the cost-of-living index sits slightly above the national average at 100.5, pay can be impacted by various factors including job setting and employer. Outpatient orthopedic clinics often provide higher compensation compared to skilled nursing facilities, especially following recent cuts in Medicare reimbursements. The gap in salaries can also be influenced by productivity expectations and supervisory requirements. For PTAs looking to maximize their earning potential in Cranston, focusing on specialized training, seeking employment in higher-paying settings, and being open to weekend or on-call shifts may provide valuable opportunities for increased compensation.
More salary data for Cranston, RI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Cranston, RI in 2026?
Is Cranston, RI a good place to work as a physical therapist assistant?
Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Cranston?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Cranston?
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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 $67,221 for physical therapist assistantsin the Cranston 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
Salary data for Cranston is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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