Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Yakima, WA: $76,123 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Yakima, WA earns a median $76,123/year (≈ $36.59/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Yakima's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 95.5), that paycheck buys what $79,672 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 10.9% above the Washington state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the physical therapist assistant salary in Yakima, WA, is projected to reach a median of $76,123, notably higher than the national median of $70,247. This increase of approximately 8.36% reflects the growing demand for PTAs in the area and the opportunities for career advancement, particularly through bridging programs leading to a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT). The expected salary range for physical therapist assistants in Yakima spans from $36,325 at the lower end (P10) to $83,170 at the upper end (P90), which indicates considerable variation based on experience and specific employment settings. These figures are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, underlining Yakima's robust market for rehabilitation professionals in a city where healthcare services are essential.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,325 | $17.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,194 | $24.13 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $76,123 | $36.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80,982 | $38.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83,170 | $39.98 |
Median Salary Position
8.36% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Yakima
In Yakima, WA, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $46,845 (2026 est.). At $76,123, the local median is 8.36% above the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Yakima: You'd be in the upper quartile
How Yakima Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Yakima median: $76,123/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Yakima Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $68,641 | +10.90% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | +8.36% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Yakima, WA earn a median of $76,123 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.36% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 10.90% above the Washington state average of $68,641.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Yakima has a cost of living 4.45% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Yakima, WA has a cost-of-living index of 95.545 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $76,123 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $79,672 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.66% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$62,490
2025 BLS Actual
$74,100
2026 Current Est.
$76,123
2019–2027 Growth
+25.1%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Yakima (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,490 | Actual |
| 2020 | $72,020 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,870 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,440 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,950 | Actual |
| 2024 | $75,710 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,100 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,123 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78,201 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Yakima metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 18.6% from $62,490 (2019) to $74,100 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $78,201 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,711 (25.14%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Yakima 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) | $36,325 – $50,194 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,194 – $76,123 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $76,123 – $80,982 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $80,982 – $83,170 |
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 Yakima
Looking deeper into the local job market, Yakima employs around 50 physical therapist assistants, a figure that reflects a solid community need for these professionals. The cost of living index in the area stands at 95.545, which is below the national average, allowing for a more advantageous purchasing power with salaries in this sector. Among the various employment settings, outpatient orthopedic clinics generally offer the highest compensation, followed by skilled nursing facilities and hospital rehabilitation programs. Pay disparities can arise from factors such as productivity expectations, weekend shifts, and the limitations imposed by Medicare’s 15% cut to PTA-provided services. For those entering the field or seeking to maximize their earnings, targeting outpatient settings, pursuing continuing education, and considering the PTA-to-DPT bridge may lead to enhanced opportunities and pay increases within the Yakima market.
More salary data for Yakima, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Yakima?
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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 $74,100 for physical therapist assistantsin the Yakima 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, 7-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