Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Walla Walla, WA: $65,150 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Walla Walla, WA earns a median $65,150/year (≈ $31.32/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Walla Walla's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $60,661 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.1% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for physical therapist assistants in Walla Walla, Washington, is set at $65,150, reflecting a market adjusting to changes following the 15% Medicare cut implemented in 2022. This salary sits below the national median of $70,247, with local estimates indicating a range from $47,533 at the lower tenth percentile to $81,546 at the upper ninetieth percentile. These figures are derived from the 2025 BLS data and are adjusted for the regional cost of living, which has a cost-of-living index of 107.4, suggesting that Walla Walla's residents face higher living expenses than in many other parts of the country. Employment stability for physical therapist assistants in the region is notable, particularly as the structural divide between outpatient services and skilled nursing facilities shifts.
About the Walla Walla Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,533 | $22.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57,841 | $27.81 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,150 | $31.32 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73,594 | $35.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81,546 | $39.20 |
Median Salary Position
7.26% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Walla Walla
In Walla Walla, WA, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,013 (2026 est.). At $65,150, the local median is 7.26% below the national median of $70,247.
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At 40 hours/week in Walla Walla: You'd be above the median
How Walla Walla Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Walla Walla median: $65,150/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Walla Walla Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $68,652 | -5.10% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -7.26% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Walla Walla, WA earn a median of $65,150 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.26% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 5.10% below the Washington state average of $68,652.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Walla Walla has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Walla Walla, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $65,150 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $60,661 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$54,525
2025 BLS Actual
$63,419
2026 Current Est.
$65,150
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Walla Walla (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,525 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,434 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,741 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,216 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,431 | Actual |
| 2024 | $73,403 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,419 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,150 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,929 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Walla Walla metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $54,525 (2019) to $63,419 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,929 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,404 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Walla Walla 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) | $47,533 – $57,841 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $57,841 – $65,150 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,150 – $73,594 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $73,594 – $81,546 |
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 Walla Walla
The job market in Walla Walla reveals that only six physical therapist assistants are currently employed in the area, indicating a tight-knit market with potential for growth, albeit under the constraints of a higher cost of living. Those seeking physical therapist assistant positions may find higher compensation in outpatient orthopedic clinics compared to skilled nursing facilities, which have been affected by Medicare reimbursement cuts. The variation in pay is influenced by the setting, where hospital-based roles often offer better salaries than outpatient positions. As productivity expectations rise and facilities look to optimize costs, PTAs may maximize their earnings by pursuing roles that offer weekend or PRN pay rates, often with higher supervision demands. Engaging in further training or exploring PTA-to-DPT bridge programs might also enhance earning potential in this evolving field.
More salary data for Walla Walla, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Walla Walla, WA in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Walla Walla?
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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 $63,419 for physical therapist assistantsin the Walla Walla 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 Walla Walla 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