Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Portsmouth, VA: $73,166 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Portsmouth, VA earns a median $73,166/year (≈ $35.17/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Portsmouth's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $70,897 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.2% below the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physical therapist assistants in Portsmouth, Virginia, can expect a median annual salary of $73,166, which compares favorably to the national median of $70,247. The salary range for this position spans from $51,565 at the 10th percentile to $94,189 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the variations driven by experience, setting, and employer. These figures are local estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost factors. The job market in Portsmouth offers solid opportunities, particularly as the pathway from PTA to Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) continues to enhance lifetime earning potential, incentivizing current professionals to consider further education.
About the Portsmouth Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,565 | $24.79 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63,870 | $30.71 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $73,166 | $35.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $83,727 | $40.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $94,189 | $45.28 |
Median Salary Position
4.16% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Portsmouth
In Portsmouth, VA, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $42,624 (2026 est.). At $73,166, the local median is 4.16% above the national median of $70,247.
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At 40 hours/week in Portsmouth: You'd be above the median
How Portsmouth Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Portsmouth median: $73,166/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Portsmouth Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $75,585 | -3.20% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | +4.16% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Portsmouth, VA earn a median of $73,166 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.16% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 3.20% below the Virginia state average of $75,585.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Portsmouth has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Portsmouth, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $73,166 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $70,897 — a 3.1% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$61,233
2025 BLS Actual
$71,222
2026 Current Est.
$73,166
2019–2027 Growth
+22.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Portsmouth (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,233 | Actual |
| 2020 | $62,254 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,723 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,379 | Actual |
| 2023 | $66,743 | Actual |
| 2024 | $65,907 | Actual |
| 2025 | $71,222 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $73,166 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $75,164 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Portsmouth metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $61,233 (2019) to $71,222 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $75,164 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,931 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Portsmouth 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) | $51,565 – $63,870 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $63,870 – $73,166 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $73,166 – $83,727 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $83,727 – $94,189 |
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 Portsmouth
With 17 physical therapist assistants currently employed in Portsmouth, the job market reveals a competitive landscape. The area's cost-of-living index sits at 103.2, slightly above the national average, which may impact overall take-home purchasing power. Among employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics and home health agencies tend to offer the most lucrative opportunities, often outpacing skilled nursing facilities due to different reimbursement structures and productivity expectations. Factors such as weekend and PRN premiums contribute to pay disparities within the profession. Given the ongoing adjustments from the Medicare 15% reimbursement cut for PTA services, PTAs in Portsmouth should consider focusing on outpatient settings or pursuing further education to leverage better salary opportunities and mitigate the pay compression seen in Medicare-reliant environments.
More salary data for Portsmouth, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Portsmouth?
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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 $71,222 for physical therapist assistantsin the Portsmouth 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 Portsmouth 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