Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Charleston, WV: $64,740 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Charleston, WV earns a median $64,740/year (≈ $31.13/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Charleston's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 88.7), that paycheck buys what $72,974 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.2% above the West Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Charleston, West Virginia, the 2026 median annual salary for a physical therapist assistant is projected to be $64,740, which reflects a slight decrease of 7.84% compared to the national median of $70,247. Salary ranges for this occupation in Charleston span from $46,146 at the 10th percentile to $88,492 at the 90th percentile, showcasing the potential for varied earnings based on experience, setting, and specialized skills. These figures, sourced from the 2025 BLS OEWS data and projected forward, indicate strong local opportunities for those considering a career as a physical therapist assistant. Given Charleston's smaller workforce of 80 PTAs, navigating job openings effectively can significantly influence earning trajectories.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,146 | $22.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,396 | $24.71 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,740 | $31.13 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74,243 | $35.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $88,492 | $42.55 |
Median Salary Position
7.84% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Charleston
In Charleston, WV, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $42,346 (2026 est.). At $64,740, the local median is 7.84% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Charleston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Charleston Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Charleston median: $64,740/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Charleston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| West Virginia Average | $61,540 | +5.20% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | -7.84% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Charleston, WV earn a median of $64,740 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.84% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 5.20% above the West Virginia state average of $61,540.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Charleston has a cost of living 11.28% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Charleston, WV has a cost-of-living index of 88.717 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $64,740 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $72,974 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.72% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$54,182
2025 BLS Actual
$63,020
2026 Current Est.
$64,740
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Charleston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,182 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,590 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,420 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,350 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,170 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,400 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,020 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,740 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,508 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Charleston metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $54,182 (2019) to $63,020 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,508 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,326 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Charleston 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) | $46,146 – $51,396 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,396 – $64,740 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,740 – $74,243 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $74,243 – $88,492 |
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 Charleston
As for the local job market, the cost of living index in Charleston stands at 88.717, which is below the national average and can enhance the purchasing power of the salaries earned in this field. Notably, outpatient orthopedic clinics often pay the most competitively among local providers, while skilled nursing facilities have seen wage pressures due to prior reimbursement cuts from Medicare impacting therapy services. The variations in salary can be attributed to multiple factors, including the specific setting of employment and the demands of productivity and patient supervision. Strategies for maximizing pay in Charleston may include pursuing additional certifications, targeting high-demand settings, and being open to PRN opportunities, especially during weekends, which often come with pay premiums. Understanding these nuances will enable physical therapist assistants to navigate their careers more effectively in the Charleston market.
More salary data for Charleston, WV:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $63,020 for physical therapist assistantsin the Charleston 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, 6-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