Senior Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Commerce City, CO: $83,931 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of physical therapist assistants working in Commerce City, CO — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $83,931/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 31-2021. Strip back Commerce City's price premium (BEA RPP 105.0, 5% above national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $79,934 in average-cost America. The 29% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Navigating the compensation landscape for seasoned professionals, experienced physical therapist assistants in Commerce City, Colorado can anticipate a median annual salary of $64,916 in 2026, with the potential to earn as much as $83,931 at the 90th percentile. This reflects not only the experience premium inherent in the profession but also the significant gap between the median salary and top-tier earnings. For those with over seven years of experience, advancing to the higher echelons of salary in the Commerce City market typically requires specialization in high-demand areas such as orthopedic rehabilitation or sports medicine, setting the stage for a successful and lucrative career.
About the Commerce City Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Commerce City
Experienced physical therapist assistants at the top of the pay scale in Commerce City earn between $74,504 and $83,931 per year (2026 est.). This $37,922 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Commerce City median of $64,916 sits 7.59% below the US median.
Top PTA Salary Comparison
| Level | Commerce City | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $64,916 | $70,247 |
| 75th Percentile | $74,504 | $80,828 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $83,931 | $91,954 |
In Commerce City, experienced physical therapist assistants (P90) earn 29.29% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Physical Therapist Assistant Pay in Commerce City
Advanced Certifications in Colorado
CO physical therapist assistants with additional specialty certifications within the physical therapy field earn significantly above the $64,916 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Commerce City employers.
Specialty Focus
Physical Therapist Assistants focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the physical therapy field in Commerce City command premium compensation, often reaching the $74,504–$83,931 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Commerce City 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 Commerce City 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 Colorado 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 Commerce City
Clinical Physical Therapist Assistant
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Physical Therapist Assistant
5-10 yearsPhysical Therapist Assistant Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedCommerce City ranks #14 of 33 Colorado cities for top earner physical therapist assistant salary (90th percentile: $83,931).
Top 10% physical therapist assistant compensation in Commerce City ($83,931) is 7.08% below the Colorado average P90 ($90,325).
2019 BLS Actual
$73,787
2025 BLS Actual
$81,701
2026 Current Est.
$83,931
2019–2027 Growth
+16.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Commerce City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $73,787 | Actual |
| 2020 | $75,275 | Actual |
| 2021 | $73,176 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,794 | Actual |
| 2023 | $81,080 | Actual |
| 2024 | $86,152 | Actual |
| 2025 | $81,701 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $83,931 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86,223 | Projected |
Top-earning physical therapist assistants (90th percentile) in Commerce City saw their compensation grow 10.7% from $73,787 in 2019 to $81,701 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 $86,223 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Commerce City 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 Commerce City
In analyzing the senior physical therapist assistant pay in CO, specialized knowledge and advanced credentials can markedly boost compensation. Expectations for top compensation often vary by employer, with outpatient orthopedic clinics generally offering more competitive salaries compared to skilled nursing facilities, which are facing pressures from the Medicare cuts that have impacted payment structures since 2022. Leadership roles, such as clinic operations supervisor or regional clinical educator, provide pathways for further career advancement and salary enhancement. Additionally, pursuing advanced certifications through APTA or transitioning to a DPT program can strengthen a professional's profile, aligning with long-term salary objectives. Non-salary compensation factors, including weekend premiums and productivity requirements, also play a critical role in determining total earnings for senior PTAs in this dynamic market.
More salary data for Commerce City, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced physical therapist assistants make in Commerce City in 2026?
What drives higher physical therapist assistant pay in Commerce City?
What certifications boost physical therapist assistant salary in Commerce City?
Can experienced physical therapist assistants make six figures in Commerce City?
How much does physical therapist assistant salary increase over time in Commerce City?
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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 $81,701 for physical therapist assistants in the Commerce City 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 Commerce City 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