Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in University Place, WA: $67,308 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in University Place, WA earns a median $67,308/year (≈ $32.36/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in University Place's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $62,670 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.9% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual physical therapist assistant salary in University Place, Washington, stands at $67,308, slightly below the national median of $70,247. This figure reflects local adjustments based on state-level data amid a changing market landscape. The salary range for physical therapist assistants in the area spans from $47,154 at the 10th percentile to $88,477 at the 90th percentile. Ongoing shifts in the healthcare sector, particularly related to the Medicare 15% cut affecting outpatient services and skilled nursing facilities, have created a divide in compensation structures. With outpatient clinics vying for quality talent, competition could bolster wages, especially as more PTAs look to bridge to DPT programs to enhance their qualifications.
About the University Place Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,154 | $22.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58,313 | $28.04 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $67,308 | $32.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74,630 | $35.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $88,477 | $42.54 |
Median Salary Position
4.18% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in University Place
In University Place, WA, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $41,323 (2026 est.). At $67,308, the local median is 4.18% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in University Place: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How University Place Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
University Place median: $67,308/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | University Place Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $68,611 | -1.90% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -4.18% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in University Place, WA earn a median of $67,308 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.18% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 1.90% below the Washington state average of $68,611.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
University Place has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
University Place, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $67,308 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $62,670 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$56,330
2025 BLS Actual
$65,519
2026 Current Est.
$67,308
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in University Place (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,330 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,269 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,620 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,144 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,399 | Actual |
| 2024 | $75,833 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,519 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,308 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,145 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the University Place metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $56,330 (2019) to $65,519 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,145 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,815 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the University Place 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) | $47,154 – $58,313 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $58,313 – $67,308 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $67,308 – $74,630 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $74,630 – $88,477 |
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 University Place
The local job market in University Place shows a relatively small workforce, with only six physical therapist assistants currently employed. This limited pool can create unique opportunities for those seeking positions in this area, but the cost of living index of 107.4 suggests that salaries may not stretch as far as they would in lower-cost regions. Among the different settings available, outpatient orthopedic clinics and home health agencies typically lead in compensation. Variations in salary can arise from factors such as setting, productivity expectations, and additional requirements from the supervisory role of licensed PTs in each case. As PTAs navigate this market, maximizing pay could involve pursuing specialized skills pertinent to high-paying employers, considering avenues for overtime in hospital settings, and actively engaging in continuing education to stand out in a challenging environment.
More salary data for University Place, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in University Place?
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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 $65,519 for physical therapist assistantsin the University Place 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 University Place 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