Senior Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Jacksonville, AR: $82,583 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of physical therapist assistants working in Jacksonville, AR — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $82,583/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 31-2021. Strip back Jacksonville's price premium (BEA RPP 86.9, 13% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $95,032 in average-cost America. The 28% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Senior physical therapist assistants in Jacksonville, Arkansas, can expect to see salaries reflective of their extensive experience and specialization. In 2026, the median annual salary is projected at $64,538, but those at the top of the pay scale can earn as much as $82,583. This positions senior physical therapist assistants in Jacksonville notably below the national top earners while still enjoying a significant experience premium, with an established gap between median and top-tier compensation. To achieve such salaries, professionals typically need to accumulate at least seven years of hands-on experience, possibly coupled with advanced credentials, specialized training, and a demonstrable track record of effective patient outcomes.
About the Jacksonville Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($56,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Jacksonville
Experienced physical therapist assistants at the top of the pay scale in Jacksonville earn between $73,805 and $82,583 per year (2026 est.). This $36,041 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Jacksonville median of $64,538 sits 8.13% below the US median.
Top PTA Salary Comparison
| Level | Jacksonville | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $64,538 | $70,247 |
| 75th Percentile | $73,805 | $80,828 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $82,583 | $91,954 |
In Jacksonville, experienced physical therapist assistants (P90) earn 27.96% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Physical Therapist Assistant Pay in Jacksonville
Advanced Certifications in Arkansas
AR physical therapist assistants with additional specialty certifications within the physical therapy field earn significantly above the $64,538 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Jacksonville employers.
Specialty Focus
Physical Therapist Assistants focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the physical therapy field in Jacksonville command premium compensation, often reaching the $73,805–$82,583 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Jacksonville metro area often pay above-market rates for experienced physical therapist assistants who demonstrate efficiency and leadership.
Employer Loyalty & Patient Relationships
Long-tenured physical therapist assistants in Jacksonville with established relationships have strong negotiating leverage. In this developing market, retention bonuses and annual raises are common for top performers.
Continuing Education & Leadership
Physical Therapist Assistants in Arkansas who pursue advanced degrees, mentor junior staff, or lead clinical education programs position themselves for the highest compensation tiers and management roles.
Physical Therapist Assistant Career & Wage Growth Path in Jacksonville
Clinical Physical Therapist Assistant
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Physical Therapist Assistant
5-10 yearsPhysical Therapist Assistant Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedJacksonville ranks #11 of 21 Arkansas cities for top earner physical therapist assistant salary (90th percentile: $82,583).
Top 10% physical therapist assistant compensation in Jacksonville ($82,583) is 7.38% below the Arkansas average P90 ($89,167).
2019 BLS Actual
$72,602
2025 BLS Actual
$80,388
2026 Current Est.
$82,583
2019–2027 Growth
+16.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Jacksonville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $72,602 | Actual |
| 2020 | $74,065 | Actual |
| 2021 | $72,000 | Actual |
| 2022 | $76,544 | Actual |
| 2023 | $79,777 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,162 | Actual |
| 2025 | $80,388 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82,583 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84,837 | Projected |
Top-earning physical therapist assistants (90th percentile) in Jacksonville saw their compensation grow 10.7% from $72,602 in 2019 to $80,388 in 2025, based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for this metropolitan area. At a 2.73% annual growth rate, senior-level pay is projected to reach $84,837 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Jacksonville 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.
Maximizing Your Physical Therapist Assistant Earnings in Jacksonville
The salary landscape for experienced physical therapist assistants in Jacksonville is influenced by various specializations, such as orthopedic, geriatric rehabilitation, and sports medicine, which can command higher pay. Compensation varies significantly depending on the type of employer, with outpatient orthopedic clinics and skilled nursing facilities often offering different pay structures. Senior-level roles can also provide advancement opportunities, such as clinic operations manager or PTA program faculty. For those aiming to further enhance their pay in Arkansas, obtaining advanced credentials beyond the associate's degree—such as state PTA licensing or proficiency credentials from the APTA—can be beneficial. However, professionals should remain mindful of the broader economic conditions affecting compensation, such as the 15% cut in Medicare Part B reimbursements for services provided by PTAs, which has impacted salaries particularly in Medicare-heavy environments like skilled nursing facilities.
More salary data for Jacksonville, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced physical therapist assistants make in Jacksonville in 2026?
What drives higher physical therapist assistant pay in Jacksonville?
What certifications boost physical therapist assistant salary in Jacksonville?
Can experienced physical therapist assistants make six figures in Jacksonville?
How much does physical therapist assistant salary increase over time in Jacksonville?
Related Pages
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Nearby Cities in Arkansas
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
Top-earner salary figures on this page are 2026 projections derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. BLS reported a 90th percentile salary of $80,388 for physical therapist assistants in the Jacksonville metro area. A 2.73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 senior-level compensation. Individual earnings depend on certifications, specialization, practice type, and years of clinical experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Jacksonville 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