Senior Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Woodburn, OR: $85,337 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of physical therapist assistants working in Woodburn, OR — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $85,337/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 31-2021. Strip back Woodburn's price premium (BEA RPP 102.6, 3% above national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $83,174 in average-cost America. The 26% 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 Woodburn, Oregon, can expect a lucrative compensation package, with top earners potentially reaching an annual salary of $85,337 by 2026. This salary showcases a significant difference from the median annual pay of $67,793, highlighting the advantageous financial landscape for experienced professionals. Such a disparity underscores the value placed on expertise in this area. Achieving the top-tier salary requires a combination of specialized skills, advanced certifications, and years of practical experience—culminating in a role that not only demands clinical proficiency but also the ability to excel in fast-paced environments or within specialty fields.
About the Woodburn Market
Salary estimated from Oregon average ($70,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Woodburn
Experienced physical therapist assistants at the top of the pay scale in Woodburn earn between $76,873 and $85,337 per year (2026 est.). This $37,504 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Woodburn median of $67,793 sits 3.49% below the US median.
Top PTA Salary Comparison
| Level | Woodburn | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $67,793 | $70,247 |
| 75th Percentile | $76,873 | $80,828 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $85,337 | $91,954 |
In Woodburn, experienced physical therapist assistants (P90) earn 25.88% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Physical Therapist Assistant Pay in Woodburn
Advanced Certifications in Oregon
OR physical therapist assistants with additional specialty certifications within the physical therapy field earn significantly above the $67,793 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Woodburn employers.
Specialty Focus
Physical Therapist Assistants focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the physical therapy field in Woodburn command premium compensation, often reaching the $76,873–$85,337 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Woodburn 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 Woodburn 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 Oregon 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 Woodburn
Clinical Physical Therapist Assistant
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Physical Therapist Assistant
5-10 yearsPhysical Therapist Assistant Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedWoodburn ranks #13 of 36 Oregon cities for top earner physical therapist assistant salary (90th percentile: $85,337).
Top 10% physical therapist assistant compensation in Woodburn ($85,337) is 4.17% below the Oregon average P90 ($89,048).
2019 BLS Actual
$75,023
2025 BLS Actual
$83,069
2026 Current Est.
$85,337
2019–2027 Growth
+16.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Woodburn (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $75,023 | Actual |
| 2020 | $76,536 | Actual |
| 2021 | $74,401 | Actual |
| 2022 | $79,097 | Actual |
| 2023 | $82,438 | Actual |
| 2024 | $90,890 | Actual |
| 2025 | $83,069 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,337 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87,666 | Projected |
Top-earning physical therapist assistants (90th percentile) in Woodburn saw their compensation grow 10.7% from $75,023 in 2019 to $83,069 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 $87,666 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Woodburn 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 Woodburn
Compensation for seasoned physical therapist assistants often varies significantly depending on the setting and specialization. In Woodburn, those focusing on areas such as orthopedic rehabilitation, geriatric services, and home health have the potential to command higher salaries. Senior professionals working in outpatient orthopedic clinics or skilled nursing facilities may find their pay influenced by the shifting dynamics caused by the recent 15% Medicare cut in reimbursement for services rendered by PTAs. Additionally, pursuing advanced credentials through APTA and engaging in leadership roles such as clinic operations supervisor or PTA program faculty can further enhance earning potential. As the profession evolves, career paths that connect experienced PTAs with opportunities for additional training and education—such as the PTA-to-DPT bridge program—become increasingly appealing, opening doors for both professional growth and enhanced financial compensation.
More salary data for Woodburn, OR:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced physical therapist assistants make in Woodburn in 2026?
What drives higher physical therapist assistant pay in Woodburn?
What certifications boost physical therapist assistant salary in Woodburn?
Can experienced physical therapist assistants make six figures in Woodburn?
How much does physical therapist assistant salary increase over time in Woodburn?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Oregon
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 $83,069 for physical therapist assistants in the Woodburn 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 Woodburn 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