Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Providence, RI: $74,120 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Providence, RI earns a median $74,120/year (≈ $35.64/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Providence's price level (2% above national, BEA RPP 101.8), that paycheck buys what $72,829 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.0% above the Rhode Island state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, physical therapist assistants in Providence, Rhode Island, earn a median annual salary of $74,120, exceeding the national figure of $70,247 by 5.51%. Salaries in the local workforce range from $59,974 at the 10th percentile to $81,085 at the 90th percentile, showcasing a varied earning potential based on experience, workplace setting, and productivity expectations. The data presented is derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, projected to 2026, thereby providing a reliable framework for understanding the compensation landscape for physical therapist assistants in this locale. With an acute focus on patient visits, productivity can influence compensation significantly, highlighting a competitive environment for those entering the profession.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $59,974 | $28.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64,792 | $31.15 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $74,120 | $35.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,212 | $37.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81,085 | $38.99 |
Median Salary Position
5.51% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Providence
In Providence, RI, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $21,111 (2026 est.). At $74,120, the local median is 5.51% above the national median of $70,247.
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At 40 hours/week in Providence: You'd be above the median
How Providence Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Providence median: $74,120/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Providence Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island Average | $70,590 | +5.00% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | +5.51% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Providence, RI earn a median of $74,120 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.51% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 5.00% above the Rhode Island state average of $70,590.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Providence has a cost of living 1.77% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Providence, RI has a cost-of-living index of 101.773 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $74,120 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $72,829 — a 1.74% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$65,140
2025 BLS Actual
$72,150
2026 Current Est.
$74,120
2019–2027 Growth
+16.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Providence (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $65,140 | Actual |
| 2020 | $66,170 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,150 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,420 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,820 | Actual |
| 2024 | $67,210 | Actual |
| 2025 | $72,150 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74,120 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $76,143 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Providence metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 10.8% from $65,140 (2019) to $72,150 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $76,143 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,003 (16.89%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Providence 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) | $59,974 – $64,792 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $64,792 – $74,120 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $74,120 – $77,212 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,212 – $81,085 |
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 Providence
The job market for physical therapist assistants in Providence shows solid employment stability, with approximately 630 professionals in the field. The cost of living index stands at 101.773, indicating that while salaries are slightly above the national average, purchasing power may feel constrained. Outpatient orthopedic clinics typically offer the highest pay among local employers, with skilled nursing facilities also providing competitive salaries. The disparity in wages can often be traced back to setting dynamics—hospital roles tend to offer higher compensation compared to outpatient or skilled nursing environments, particularly after recent changes including the 15% Medicare cut affecting many Medicare-reliant settings. To maximize earnings, physical therapist assistants in Providence should consider diversifying their skill sets and seeking environments that reward high productivity, while also considering the benefits of supervising students or pursuing further education pathways like PTA-to-DPT.
More salary data for Providence, RI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Providence?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Providence?
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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 $72,150 for physical therapist assistantsin the Providence 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