Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Vancouver, WA: $77,223 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Vancouver, WA earns a median $77,223/year (≈ $37.13/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Vancouver's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $71,902 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 12.5% above the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physical therapist assistants in Vancouver, Washington, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $77,223, surpassing the national average of $70,247 by nearly 10%. This local compensation reflects a salary range from $50,896 for the lowest earners (P10) to $106,227 for the top earners (P90). These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price variations, indicate a robust market for PTA professionals in Vancouver. As productivity expectations shape compensation in this field, those who can maximize patient visits per day are likely to see the greatest financial rewards.
About the Vancouver Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,896 | $24.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $67,738 | $32.57 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $77,223 | $37.13 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $91,937 | $44.20 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $106,227 | $51.07 |
Median Salary Position
9.93% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Vancouver
In Vancouver, WA, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $55,331 (2026 est.). At $77,223, the local median is 9.93% above the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Vancouver: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Vancouver Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Vancouver median: $77,223/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Vancouver Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $68,643 | +12.50% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | +9.93% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Vancouver, WA earn a median of $77,223 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.93% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 12.50% above the Washington state average of $68,643.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Vancouver has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Vancouver, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $77,223 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $71,902 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$64,629
2025 BLS Actual
$75,171
2026 Current Est.
$77,223
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Vancouver (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,629 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,706 | Actual |
| 2021 | $67,256 | Actual |
| 2022 | $69,004 | Actual |
| 2023 | $70,444 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,604 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,171 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,223 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,331 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Vancouver metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $64,629 (2019) to $75,171 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $79,331 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,702 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Vancouver 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) | $50,896 – $67,738 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $67,738 – $77,223 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $77,223 – $91,937 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $91,937 – $106,227 |
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 Vancouver
The employment landscape for physical therapist assistants in Vancouver features a relatively small workforce, with 37 individuals currently in the role. The cost of living index of 107.4 suggests that housing and day-to-day expenses are somewhat elevated compared to national averages, impacting how far salaries stretch for take-home pay. Among the various settings, outpatient orthopedic clinics, particularly the more prominent chains, tend to offer higher pay than skilled nursing facilities, which have been significantly affected by the Medicare 15% reimbursement cut for PTA services introduced in 2022. To capitalize on earning potential, aspiring and current PTAs should focus on maximizing patient throughput in high-demand environments like outpatient settings or pursue additional qualifications that may lead to supervisory roles, particularly as the field increasingly values productivity and efficiency alongside patient care.
More salary data for Vancouver, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Vancouver, WA in 2026?
Is Vancouver, WA a good place to work as a physical therapist assistant?
Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Vancouver?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Vancouver?
How much does a physical therapist assistant make per hour in Vancouver?
Related Pages
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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 $75,171 for physical therapist assistantsin the Vancouver 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 Vancouver 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