Senior Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Great Falls, MT: $79,215 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of physical therapist assistants working in Great Falls, MT — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $79,215/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 31-2021. Strip back Great Falls's price premium (BEA RPP 96.8, 3% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $81,796 in average-cost America. The 25% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Official BLS data · View source
In Great Falls, the potential earnings for experienced physical therapist assistants are impressive, with a median annual salary projected at $63,590 for 2026. Top earners in this market can anticipate salaries reaching as high as $79,215. This significantly contrasts with the national top physical therapist assistant salary, which stands at $70,247. The experience premium, evident by the gap between the median and top-tier salaries, highlights the increased earning potential for those with 7+ years in the field. Achieving such compensation typically requires specialization in high-demand areas and a solid reputation for clinical excellence, as well as a commitment to professional development and advanced training.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Great Falls
Experienced physical therapist assistants at the top of the pay scale in Great Falls earn between $63,785 and $79,215 per year (2026 est.). This $29,360 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Great Falls median of $63,590 sits 9.48% below the US median.
Top PTA Salary Comparison
| Level | Great Falls | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $63,590 | $70,247 |
| 75th Percentile | $63,785 | $80,828 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $79,215 | $91,954 |
In Great Falls, experienced physical therapist assistants (P90) earn 24.57% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Physical Therapist Assistant Pay in Great Falls
Advanced Certifications in Montana
MT physical therapist assistants with additional specialty certifications within the physical therapy field earn significantly above the $63,590 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Great Falls employers.
Specialty Focus
Physical Therapist Assistants focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the physical therapy field in Great Falls command premium compensation, often reaching the $63,785–$79,215 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Great Falls 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 Great Falls 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 Montana 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 Great Falls
Clinical Physical Therapist Assistant
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Physical Therapist Assistant
5-10 yearsPhysical Therapist Assistant Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedGreat Falls ranks #6 of 7 Montana cities for top earner physical therapist assistant salary (90th percentile: $79,215).
Top 10% physical therapist assistant compensation in Great Falls ($79,215) is 5.76% below the Montana average P90 ($84,058).
2019 BLS Actual
$62,310
2025 BLS Actual
$77,110
2026 Current Est.
$79,215
2019–2027 Growth
+30.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Great Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,310 | Actual |
| 2020 | $71,045 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,110 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,190 | Actual |
| 2023 | $67,500 | Actual |
| 2024 | $69,550 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,110 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,215 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,378 | Projected |
Top-earning physical therapist assistants (90th percentile) in Great Falls saw their compensation grow 23.8% from $62,310 in 2019 to $77,110 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 $81,378 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Great Falls 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 Great Falls
A senior physical therapist assistant in Great Falls can command higher pay depending on their area of specialization. Fields like orthopedic, geriatric rehab, pediatric therapy, sports medicine, and home health consistently offer premium compensation. Compensation levels also vary by employer type; outpatient orthopedic clinics generally provide higher salaries than skilled nursing facilities, which have faced budget constraints due to past Medicare cuts. Career advancement paths include roles such as lead PTA or clinic operations supervisor, with opportunities to pivot into PTA program faculty or pursue a PTA-to-DPT bridge pathway. Holding advanced credentials, such as a CAPTE-accredited associate's degree and state PTA licenses, can lead to superior pay. Considerations beyond salary include setting nuances, productivity expectations, and the impact of reimbursement rates that play significant roles in total compensation for senior physical therapist assistants in MT.
More salary data for Great Falls, MT:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced physical therapist assistants make in Great Falls in 2026?
What drives higher physical therapist assistant pay in Great Falls?
What certifications boost physical therapist assistant salary in Great Falls?
Can experienced physical therapist assistants make six figures in Great Falls?
How much does physical therapist assistant salary increase over time in Great Falls?
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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 $77,110 for physical therapist assistants in the Great Falls 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, 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