Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Highland, UT: $59,283 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Highland, UT earns a median $59,283/year (≈ $28.50/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Highland's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 98.1), that paycheck buys what $60,431 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.9% below the Utah state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Highland, Utah, the 2026 median annual salary for physical therapist assistants is projected to be $59,283, significantly lower than the national median of $70,247. The pay in this city ranges from $41,865 at the 10th percentile to $71,024 at the 90th percentile, highlighting a broad spectrum of income potential within the field. These figures are derived from state-level BLS data, adjusted for regional cost factors, making them relevant to the local market. Recent changes following Medicare cuts have influenced salary dynamics, particularly affecting outpatient services and skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). The resulting shifts have created both challenges and opportunities for PTAs in Highland, altering employer expectations and pay structures across different practice settings.
About the Highland Market
Salary estimated from Utah average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,865 | $20.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,121 | $26.50 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,283 | $28.50 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65,200 | $31.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $71,024 | $34.15 |
Median Salary Position
15.61% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Highland
In Highland, UT, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $29,159 (2026 est.). At $59,283, the local median is 15.61% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Highland: You'd be above the median
How Highland Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Highland median: $59,283/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Highland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Utah Average | $63,000 | -5.90% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -15.61% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Highland, UT earn a median of $59,283 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.61% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 5.90% below the Utah state average of $63,000.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Highland has a cost of living 1.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Highland, UT has a cost-of-living index of 98.1 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $59,283 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $60,431 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.94% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$49,615
2025 BLS Actual
$57,708
2026 Current Est.
$59,283
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Highland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,615 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,442 | Actual |
| 2021 | $51,632 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,974 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,079 | Actual |
| 2024 | $55,393 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,708 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,283 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,902 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Highland metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $49,615 (2019) to $57,708 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,902 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,287 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Highland 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) | $41,865 – $55,121 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,121 – $59,283 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,283 – $65,200 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $65,200 – $71,024 |
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 Highland
Demand for physical therapist assistants in Highland remains stable, but with only four professionals currently employed in the area, the job market for PTAs is notably narrow. The local cost of living index at 98.1 indicates that residents experience slightly lower living costs compared to the national average, which could enhance purchasing power despite the lower salaries. Employers such as outpatient orthopedic clinics tend to offer higher wages than SNFs, where the impact of a 15% Medicare cut still lingers. Differences in pay can also arise from the productivity expectations inherent in various settings, as well as additional factors like weekend and PRN premiums. To maximize earnings, aspiring PTAs in Highland can focus on gaining experience in high-demand areas like outpatient clinics or consider pursuing DPT pathways, as these can open up better remuneration opportunities while navigating the Medicare reimbursement landscape.
More salary data for Highland, UT:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Highland?
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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 $57,708 for physical therapist assistantsin the Highland 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 Highland 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