Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Lynchburg, VA: $77,479 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Lynchburg, VA earns a median $77,479/year (≈ $37.25/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Lynchburg's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.4), that paycheck buys what $86,701 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.5% above the Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source

In Lynchburg, Virginia, physical therapist assistants are projected to earn a median annual salary of $77,479 in 2026, surpassing the national median of $70,247 by approximately 10.30%. The salary range for these professionals spans from $58,412 at the 10th percentile to $102,566 at the 90th percentile, according to estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. High productivity expectations in Lynchburg's healthcare facilities often influence compensation, as the number of patient visits per day significantly shapes effective earnings. With an anticipated growth rate of 2.73% annually, job market opportunities appear stable for aspiring physical therapist assistants navigating their career paths in the region.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $58,412 | $28.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65,285 | $31.39 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $77,479 | $37.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82,328 | $39.58 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $102,566 | $49.31 |
Median Salary Position
10.30% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lynchburg
In Lynchburg, VA, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $44,154 (2026 est.). At $77,479, the local median is 10.3% above the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lynchburg: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lynchburg Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Lynchburg median: $77,479/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lynchburg Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $75,589 | +2.50% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | +10.30% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Lynchburg, VA earn a median of $77,479 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.30% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 2.50% above the Virginia state average of $75,589.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lynchburg has a cost of living 10.64% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lynchburg, VA has a cost-of-living index of 89.363 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $77,479 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $86,701 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.9% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$70,240
2025 BLS Actual
$75,420
2026 Current Est.
$77,479
2019–2027 Growth
+13.3%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Lynchburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $70,240 | Actual |
| 2020 | $66,500 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,960 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,700 | Actual |
| 2023 | $66,410 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,000 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,420 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,479 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,594 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lynchburg metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 7.4% from $70,240 (2019) to $75,420 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $79,594 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,354 (13.32%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lynchburg 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) | $58,412 – $65,285 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $65,285 – $77,479 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $77,479 – $82,328 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $82,328 – $102,566 |
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 Lynchburg
The local job market reflects healthy employment levels, with around 150 physical therapist assistants currently working in Lynchburg, VA. The cost of living index in Lynchburg sits at 89.363, suggesting that while salaries are competitive, take-home pay may stretch further compared to regions with higher costs. Among employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics typically offer the most competitive pay, attracting many PTAs in the area. The disparity in salaries can be attributed to various factors, including the setting in which PTAs work, productivity expectations, and adjustments stemming from the Medicare 15% reimbursement cut impacting skilled nursing facilities and outpatient environments. To maximize earning potential, PTAs should consider employment in higher-paying outpatient clinics, explore specializations within pediatric care or home health agencies, and seek opportunities for weekend or PRN work, which often includes premium pay rates.
More salary data for Lynchburg, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Lynchburg, VA in 2026?
Is Lynchburg, VA a good place to work as a physical therapist assistant?
Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Lynchburg?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Lynchburg?
How much does a physical therapist assistant make per hour in Lynchburg?
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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 $75,420 for physical therapist assistantsin the Lynchburg 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