Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Wenatchee, WA: $71,028 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Wenatchee, WA earns a median $71,028/year (≈ $34.15/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Wenatchee's price level (4% above national, BEA RPP 103.9), that paycheck buys what $68,392 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.5% above the Washington state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Wenatchee, Washington, the physical therapist assistant salary averages around $71,028 annually, which positions it slightly above the national median of $70,247. The salary range is quite broad, spanning from $37,147 at the P10 to $88,543 at the P90, reflecting the diversity of job settings and employers in the area. This salary data stems from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, projected forward into 2026. With ongoing changes linked to Medicare cuts affecting reimbursement for physical therapy services, the dynamics within outpatient clinics and skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) have shifted, shaping the opportunities for PTAs in Wenatchee.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,147 | $17.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,176 | $26.52 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $71,028 | $34.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $83,335 | $40.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $88,543 | $42.57 |
Median Salary Position
1.11% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wenatchee
In Wenatchee, WA, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $51,396 (2026 est.). At $71,028, the local median is 1.11% above the national median of $70,247.
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At 40 hours/week in Wenatchee: You'd be above the median
How Wenatchee Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Wenatchee median: $71,028/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wenatchee Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $68,626 | +3.50% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | +1.11% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Wenatchee, WA earn a median of $71,028 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.11% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 3.50% above the Washington state average of $68,626.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wenatchee has a cost of living 3.86% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wenatchee, WA has a cost-of-living index of 103.855 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $71,028 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $68,392 — a 3.71% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$59,443
2025 BLS Actual
$69,140
2026 Current Est.
$71,028
2019–2027 Growth
+22.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Wenatchee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,443 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,434 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,860 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,960 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,620 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,000 | Actual |
| 2025 | $69,140 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $71,028 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72,967 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wenatchee metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $59,443 (2019) to $69,140 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $72,967 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,524 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wenatchee 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) | $37,147 – $55,176 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,176 – $71,028 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $71,028 – $83,335 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $83,335 – $88,543 |
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 Wenatchee
Currently, there are 40 physical therapist assistants employed in Wenatchee, WA, contributing to a healthy local job market despite a cost-of-living index of 103.855, which suggests that living expenses are above the national average. Those seeking to maximize their take-home pay might find better opportunities in outpatient orthopedic clinics or hospital inpatient rehabilitation settings, where the pay tends to be higher compared to SNFs, which have felt the impacts of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut. Factors such as productivity expectations, the demand for weekend or PRN shifts, and varying supervision requirements from physical therapists further influence salary potential in the area. For PTAs looking to bolster their earnings, pursuing additional certifications or exploring pathways to transition to a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) may provide competitive advantages in this evolving market.
More salary data for Wenatchee, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Wenatchee, WA in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Wenatchee?
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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 $69,140 for physical therapist assistantsin the Wenatchee 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 4-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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