Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Moses Lake, WA: $66,211 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Moses Lake, WA earns a median $66,211/year (≈ $31.84/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Moses Lake's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $61,649 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.5% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physical therapist assistants in Moses Lake, Washington, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $66,211, which falls slightly below the national median of $70,247. The local salary range spans from $49,976 at the 10th percentile to $84,918 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the various settings and experience levels among practitioners. These figures, derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost factors, indicate that while salaries are competitive, they are still influenced by market conditions. This is particularly relevant in Moses Lake, where the demand for PTAs can be affected by factors such as local healthcare networks and patient demographics.
About the Moses Lake Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,976 | $24.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,066 | $28.88 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $66,211 | $31.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $75,987 | $36.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $84,918 | $40.82 |
Median Salary Position
5.75% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Moses Lake
In Moses Lake, WA, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,942 (2026 est.). At $66,211, the local median is 5.75% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Moses Lake: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Moses Lake Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Moses Lake median: $66,211/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Moses Lake Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $68,612 | -3.50% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -5.75% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Moses Lake, WA earn a median of $66,211 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.75% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 3.50% below the Washington state average of $68,612.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Moses Lake has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Moses Lake, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $66,211 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $61,649 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$55,412
2025 BLS Actual
$64,451
2026 Current Est.
$66,211
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Moses Lake (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,412 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,336 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,665 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,163 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,398 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,597 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,451 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,211 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,018 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Moses Lake metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $55,412 (2019) to $64,451 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,018 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,606 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Moses Lake 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) | $49,976 – $60,066 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,066 – $66,211 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $66,211 – $75,987 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $75,987 – $84,918 |
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 Moses Lake
With only four physical therapist assistants currently employed in Moses Lake, the job market is rather niche, emphasizing the importance of strategic positioning for higher pay. The area's cost-of-living index stands at 107.4, suggesting that while salaries may be somewhat lower than the national average, local purchasing power is still viable for residents. Among the employers providing the best compensation are outpatient orthopedic clinics and hospital inpatient rehabilitation facilities, compared to skilled nursing facilities, which have been impacted by the Medicare 15% cut to PTA services. Since reimbursement was reduced, these settings often offer lower salaries. Maximizing pay in Moses Lake often involves seeking roles in higher-paying environments, being open to weekend shifts or PRN positions, and maintaining strong productivity metrics to align with the compensation structure that rewards efficiency and patient throughput.
More salary data for Moses Lake, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Moses Lake?
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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 $64,451 for physical therapist assistantsin the Moses Lake 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 Moses Lake 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