Senior Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Jonesboro, AR: $83,283 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of physical therapist assistants working in Jonesboro, AR — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $83,283/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 31-2021. Strip back Jonesboro's price premium (BEA RPP 85.9, 14% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $96,981 in average-cost America. The 29% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Official BLS data · View source
In Jonesboro, AR, the potential for top-tier compensation as an experienced physical therapist assistant is significant, with figures reaching up to $83,283 in annual salary by 2026. The disparity between the median salary of $64,412 and the top earnings reflects the premium placed on experience and specialization within the field. Achieving such elevated pay often requires a combination of advanced credentials, years of hands-on experience, and perhaps specializations in high-demand areas such as orthopedic or sports medicine. The 2026 figures illustrate not only how much you can earn at the high end compared to the national median of $70,247 but also the distinct opportunities available in Jonesboro for those prepared to advance their careers.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Jonesboro
Experienced physical therapist assistants at the top of the pay scale in Jonesboro earn between $82,266 and $83,283 per year (2026 est.). This $44,143 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Jonesboro median of $64,412 sits 8.31% below the US median.
Top PTA Salary Comparison
| Level | Jonesboro | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $64,412 | $70,247 |
| 75th Percentile | $82,266 | $80,828 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $83,283 | $91,954 |
In Jonesboro, experienced physical therapist assistants (P90) earn 29.30% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Physical Therapist Assistant Pay in Jonesboro
Advanced Certifications in Arkansas
AR physical therapist assistants with additional specialty certifications within the physical therapy field earn significantly above the $64,412 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Jonesboro employers.
Specialty Focus
Physical Therapist Assistants focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the physical therapy field in Jonesboro command premium compensation, often reaching the $82,266–$83,283 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Jonesboro 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 Jonesboro 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 Jonesboro
Clinical Physical Therapist Assistant
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Physical Therapist Assistant
5-10 yearsPhysical Therapist Assistant Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedJonesboro ranks #7 of 21 Arkansas cities for top earner physical therapist assistant salary (90th percentile: $83,283).
Top 10% physical therapist assistant compensation in Jonesboro ($83,283) is 6.6% below the Arkansas average P90 ($89,167).
2019 BLS Actual
$78,700
2025 BLS Actual
$81,070
2026 Current Est.
$83,283
2019–2027 Growth
+8.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Jonesboro (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $78,700 | Actual |
| 2020 | $81,050 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,850 | Actual |
| 2022 | $84,660 | Actual |
| 2023 | $92,450 | Actual |
| 2024 | $96,080 | Actual |
| 2025 | $81,070 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $83,283 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $85,557 | Projected |
Top-earning physical therapist assistants (90th percentile) in Jonesboro saw their compensation grow 3.0% from $78,700 in 2019 to $81,070 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 $85,557 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Jonesboro 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 Jonesboro
For senior physical therapist assistants in Jonesboro, the salary landscape is influenced by a variety of factors, including specialization and employer type. Those focusing on orthopedic or geriatric rehabilitation are significantly positioned to command higher salaries, often greater than their peers in outpatient settings or pediatric clinics. Employment in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and hospitals may also yield different salary packages, highlighting the varying compensation structures within the profession. Career advancement pathways such as becoming a lead PTA or pursuing a PTA-to-DPT bridge can further enhance earning potential. It's crucial to understand that while advanced certifications from accredited programs, like those recognized by the APTA, can elevate pay, external factors like Medicare cuts continue to impose challenges on compensation in heavily reliant settings. Overall, the interplay of specialization, advanced education, and operational settings informs the senior physical therapist assistant pay AR, ensuring that professionals in this field must strategically navigate these components for optimal fiscal outcomes.
More salary data for Jonesboro, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced physical therapist assistants make in Jonesboro in 2026?
What drives higher physical therapist assistant pay in Jonesboro?
What certifications boost physical therapist assistant salary in Jonesboro?
Can experienced physical therapist assistants make six figures in Jonesboro?
How much does physical therapist assistant salary increase over time in Jonesboro?
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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
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 $81,070 for physical therapist assistants in the Jonesboro 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
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