Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Staunton, VA: $81,763 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Staunton, VA earns a median $81,763/year (≈ $39.30/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Staunton's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.1), that paycheck buys what $89,723 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.1% above the Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the median annual salary for a physical therapist assistant in Staunton, Virginia, is projected at $81,763. This figure represents a significant 16.39% increase compared to the national median salary of $70,247, highlighting the competitive nature of the local job market. The salary range for these professionals varies widely, from $61,956 at the 10th percentile to $90,690 at the 90th percentile, revealing differing pay scales depending on factors such as workplace setting and experience level. These insights are derived from BLS OEWS surveys, reflecting a new economic context shaped by changes in reimbursement rates, particularly following the Medicare cuts that have affected outpatient versus skilled nursing facility (SNF) dynamics. As such, Staunton’s market may require aspiring physical therapist assistants to strategically navigate their employment choices to maximize their earning potential.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $61,956 | $29.78 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64,915 | $31.21 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $81,763 | $39.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82,502 | $39.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $90,690 | $43.60 |
Median Salary Position
16.39% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Staunton
In Staunton, VA, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,734 (2026 est.). At $81,763, the local median is 16.39% above the national median of $70,247.
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How Staunton Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Staunton median: $81,763/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Staunton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $75,636 | +8.10% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | +16.39% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Staunton, VA earn a median of $81,763 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.39% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 8.10% above the Virginia state average of $75,636.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Staunton has a cost of living 8.87% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Staunton, VA has a cost-of-living index of 91.128 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $81,763 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $89,723 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.74% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$68,428
2025 BLS Actual
$79,590
2026 Current Est.
$81,763
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Staunton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $68,428 | Actual |
| 2020 | $69,569 | Actual |
| 2021 | $71,210 | Actual |
| 2022 | $73,060 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,585 | Actual |
| 2024 | $71,230 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,590 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,763 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83,995 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Staunton metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $68,428 (2019) to $79,590 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $83,995 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,567 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Staunton 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) | $61,956 – $64,915 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $64,915 – $81,763 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $81,763 – $82,502 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $82,502 – $90,690 |
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 Staunton
The local job market for physical therapist assistants is relatively stable, with about 50 professionals currently employed in Staunton, VA. Despite the cost of living index being below the national average at 91.128, which can help stretch take-home earnings, the differences in salary across various settings can significantly impact financial comfort. For instance, outpatient orthopedic clinics typically offer more favorable compensation compared to skilled nursing facility rehabilitation settings, struggling with the residual effects of the Medicare 15% reimbursement cut. The disparity in pay can also stem from factors such as productivity expectations and weekend or PRN shifts that carry a premium. To maximize physical therapist assistant pay in Staunton, individuals may consider seeking positions in higher-paying outpatient environments or leveraging additional certifications that can provide deeper supervisory roles under existing PT regulations.
More salary data for Staunton, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Staunton, VA in 2026?
Is Staunton, VA a good place to work as a physical therapist assistant?
Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Staunton?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Staunton?
How much does a physical therapist assistant make per hour in Staunton?
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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 $79,590 for physical therapist assistantsin the Staunton 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, 2-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