Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Blacksburg, VA: $74,993 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Blacksburg, VA earns a median $74,993/year (≈ $36.06/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Blacksburg's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.7), that paycheck buys what $80,890 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% below the Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In the evolving market for physical therapist assistants, the 2026 annual median salary in Blacksburg is projected at $74,993, which reflects a 6.76% increase over the national median of $70,247. This salary is influenced by structural changes in the healthcare industry, particularly the impact of Medicare cuts. The salary range for this role varies considerably from $53,584 at the lower end (P10) to $104,004 at the upper end (P90). These figures derive from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys, illustrating the competitive landscape for PTAs in Blacksburg, VA. As the job market adjusts, the definitions of compensation are reshaping, particularly between outpatient and skilled nursing facilities.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,584 | $25.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62,059 | $29.83 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $74,993 | $36.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80,006 | $38.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $104,004 | $50.01 |
Median Salary Position
6.76% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Blacksburg
In Blacksburg, VA, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,420 (2026 est.). At $74,993, the local median is 6.76% above the national median of $70,247.
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At 40 hours/week in Blacksburg: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Blacksburg Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Blacksburg median: $74,993/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Blacksburg Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $75,598 | -0.80% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | +6.76% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Blacksburg, VA earn a median of $74,993 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.76% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 0.80% below the Virginia state average of $75,598.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Blacksburg has a cost of living 7.29% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Blacksburg, VA has a cost-of-living index of 92.71 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $74,993 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $80,890 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.86% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$60,150
2025 BLS Actual
$73,000
2026 Current Est.
$74,993
2019–2027 Growth
+28.1%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Blacksburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60,150 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,810 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,960 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,790 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,200 | Actual |
| 2024 | $71,010 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,000 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74,993 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $77,040 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Blacksburg metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 21.4% from $60,150 (2019) to $73,000 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $77,040 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,890 (28.08%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Blacksburg 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) | $53,584 – $62,059 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $62,059 – $74,993 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $74,993 – $80,006 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $80,006 – $104,004 |
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 Blacksburg
The local job market for physical therapist assistants in Blacksburg includes about 50 individuals currently employed in this field, showing a steady demand despite the ongoing effects of Medicare reimbursements. The cost of living index in Blacksburg stands at 92.71, which is below the national average, enhancing the purchasing power for those earning salaries in this range. Outpatient orthopedic clinics typically offer the highest pay, with skilled nursing facilities following, although the latter has faced significant challenges due to the 15% cuts in Medicare coverage affecting PTA services. Factors influencing the disparity in pay include obligations for productivity, weekend shifts, and supervisory responsibilities required under state law. For PTAs looking to maximize their earnings in Blacksburg, seeking employment in outpatient settings where reimbursement rates are generally higher and developing relationships with management for advancement opportunities can be key strategies to consider.
More salary data for Blacksburg, VA:
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 $73,000 for physical therapist assistantsin the Blacksburg 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