Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Watertown, SD: $62,683 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Watertown, SD earns a median $62,683/year (≈ $30.14/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Watertown's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.8), that paycheck buys what $67,546 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% below the South Dakota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Watertown, SD, the projected median salary for a physical therapist assistant stands at $62,683 in 2026, reflecting the local economic conditions and the impact of Medicare cuts on the rehabilitation industry. The salary range for these positions varies significantly, from $46,587 at the 10th percentile to $77,662 at the 90th percentile. This estimate, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost differences, indicates that while the local salary is competitive, it is notably below the national median of $70,247. The structural changes in the market due to a 15% reduction in Medicare reimbursements for PTA services have particularly affected the pay levels, especially in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), contrasting with settings like outpatient orthopedic clinics that may offer better compensation.
About the Watertown Market
Salary estimated from South Dakota average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,587 | $22.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56,091 | $26.97 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,683 | $30.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70,525 | $33.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77,662 | $37.34 |
Median Salary Position
10.77% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Watertown
In Watertown, SD, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $31,075 (2026 est.). At $62,683, the local median is 10.77% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Watertown: You'd be above the median
How Watertown Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Watertown median: $62,683/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Watertown Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota Average | $65,159 | -3.80% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -10.77% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Watertown, SD earn a median of $62,683 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.77% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 3.80% below the South Dakota state average of $65,159.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Watertown has a cost of living 7.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Watertown, SD has a cost-of-living index of 92.8 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $62,683 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $67,546 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.76% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,460
2025 BLS Actual
$61,017
2026 Current Est.
$62,683
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Watertown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,460 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,334 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,592 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,011 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,180 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,539 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,017 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,683 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,394 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Watertown metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $52,460 (2019) to $61,017 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,394 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,934 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Watertown 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) | $46,587 – $56,091 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $56,091 – $62,683 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,683 – $70,525 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $70,525 – $77,662 |
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 Watertown
Currently, Watertown has a workforce of just six physical therapist assistants, which highlights the local job market's limited size and potential employee competition. The cost of living index in Watertown is set at 92.8, suggesting that purchasing power may be better than in higher-cost areas, yet it still impacts the take-home earnings of PTAs. Among local employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics generally pay the most, while skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies offer compensation influenced by Medicare cuts. These factors contribute to the pay scale variations, with settings that traditionally depend more on Medicare reimbursements facing greater wage constraints. For physical therapist assistants looking to maximize their pay in Watertown, it's advisable to explore positions in outpatient settings where productivity expectations can lead to higher income opportunities, as well as considering flexible roles such as weekend or PRN assignments that may come with a pay premium.
More salary data for Watertown, SD:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $61,017 for physical therapist assistantsin the Watertown 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 Watertown 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