Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Lake Stevens, WA: $66,380 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Lake Stevens, WA earns a median $66,380/year (≈ $31.92/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Lake Stevens's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $61,806 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the physical therapist assistant salary in Lake Stevens, WA, reaches a median annual figure of $66,380, reflecting local productivity expectations and the need for efficiency in patient visits per day. This salary sits below the national median of $70,247, indicating a local market where compensation is slightly compressed despite the rising demand for PTAs. The salary range for this profession in Lake Stevens spans from $50,174 at the 10th percentile to $81,540 at the 90th percentile, allowing for some variation based on experience and specific employment settings. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data adjusted for local economic conditions, emphasize the competitive yet nuanced landscape of physical therapy in the region.
About the Lake Stevens Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,174 | $24.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,427 | $29.05 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $66,380 | $31.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73,840 | $35.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81,540 | $39.20 |
Median Salary Position
5.5% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lake Stevens
In Lake Stevens, WA, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $31,366 (2026 est.). At $66,380, the local median is 5.5% below the national median of $70,247.
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At 40 hours/week in Lake Stevens: You'd be above the median
How Lake Stevens Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Lake Stevens median: $66,380/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lake Stevens Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $68,645 | -3.30% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -5.50% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Lake Stevens, WA earn a median of $66,380 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.50% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 3.30% below the Washington state average of $68,645.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lake Stevens has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lake Stevens, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $66,380 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $61,806 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$55,554
2025 BLS Actual
$64,616
2026 Current Est.
$66,380
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Lake Stevens (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,554 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,480 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,812 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,315 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,553 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,789 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,616 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,380 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,192 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lake Stevens metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $55,554 (2019) to $64,616 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,192 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,638 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lake Stevens 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) | $50,174 – $60,427 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,427 – $66,380 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $66,380 – $73,840 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $73,840 – $81,540 |
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 Lake Stevens
With only nine physical therapist assistants currently practicing in Lake Stevens, competition for positions can be moderate, but this market also benefits from a relatively favorable cost of living index at 107.4. This figure suggests that while salary offerings are slightly lower than the national average, the cost of living adjustments must be factored in when evaluating purchasing power. Employers such as outpatient orthopedic clinics and skilled nursing facilities tend to offer the highest salaries, especially considering the increasing demand for rehabilitation services. The disparity in pay between settings often stems from factors like productivity demands, supervision levels required by state laws, and the impact of the Medicare 15% reimbursement cut on PTA roles in outpatient and SNF environments. For those seeking to maximize their earnings in Lake Stevens, exploring opportunities in higher-paying facilities and considering specialties in demand can be advantageous, along with pursuing evolving education pathways such as PTA-to-DPT bridge programs supported by the APTA.
More salary data for Lake Stevens, WA:
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 $64,616 for physical therapist assistantsin the Lake Stevens 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 Lake Stevens 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