Senior Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in South Kingstown, RI: $86,418 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of physical therapist assistants working in South Kingstown, RI — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $86,418/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 31-2021. Strip back South Kingstown's price premium (BEA RPP 100.5, 1% above national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $85,988 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
In South Kingstown, Rhode Island, highly experienced physical therapist assistants stand to earn a competitive salary, particularly in the upper tiers of the pay spectrum. With a projected median annual salary of $67,015 in 2026, senior professionals can reach outstanding earnings, with the potential to earn up to $86,418 at the 90th percentile. This considerable gap between the median and the upper echelon illustrates the premium placed on extensive experience. Reaching such top-tier pay requires a combination of advanced credentials, specialized knowledge, and a solid reputation in the field, which can set seasoned physical therapist assistants apart from their peers and spur their entry into lucrative environments.
About the South Kingstown Market
Salary estimated from Rhode Island average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in South Kingstown
Experienced physical therapist assistants at the top of the pay scale in South Kingstown earn between $77,043 and $86,418 per year (2026 est.). This $37,807 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The South Kingstown median of $67,015 sits 4.6% below the US median.
Top PTA Salary Comparison
| Level | South Kingstown | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $67,015 | $70,247 |
| 75th Percentile | $77,043 | $80,828 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $86,418 | $91,954 |
In South Kingstown, experienced physical therapist assistants (P90) earn 28.95% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Physical Therapist Assistant Pay in South Kingstown
Advanced Certifications in Rhode Island
RI physical therapist assistants with additional specialty certifications within the physical therapy field earn significantly above the $67,015 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by South Kingstown employers.
Specialty Focus
Physical Therapist Assistants focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the physical therapy field in South Kingstown command premium compensation, often reaching the $77,043–$86,418 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the South Kingstown 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 South Kingstown 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 Rhode Island 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 South Kingstown
Clinical Physical Therapist Assistant
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Physical Therapist Assistant
5-10 yearsPhysical Therapist Assistant Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedSouth Kingstown ranks #9 of 17 Rhode Island cities for top earner physical therapist assistant salary (90th percentile: $86,418).
Top 10% physical therapist assistant compensation in South Kingstown ($86,418) is 4.73% above the Rhode Island average P90 ($82,514).
2019 BLS Actual
$75,973
2025 BLS Actual
$84,121
2026 Current Est.
$86,418
2019–2027 Growth
+16.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in South Kingstown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $75,973 | Actual |
| 2020 | $77,505 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,343 | Actual |
| 2022 | $80,099 | Actual |
| 2023 | $83,482 | Actual |
| 2024 | $85,456 | Actual |
| 2025 | $84,121 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $86,418 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $88,777 | Projected |
Top-earning physical therapist assistants (90th percentile) in South Kingstown saw their compensation grow 10.7% from $75,973 in 2019 to $84,121 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 $88,777 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the South Kingstown 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 South Kingstown
To enhance their earning capacity, South Kingstown's experienced physical therapist assistants can pursue specializations in high-demand areas such as orthopedic and geriatric rehabilitation, sports medicine, and home health care. The type of employer significantly affects compensation; those working in outpatient orthopedic clinics and hospitals generally enjoy better pay than those in skilled nursing facilities, especially in light of the 15% Medicare cut that has impacted reimbursement rates for PTA services. Engaging in leadership roles, such as becoming a lead PTA or clinic operations supervisor, can further elevate one's career and salary prospects. In addition to clinical experience, obtaining further qualifications and certifications can provide an edge in this evolving market, resulting in enhanced advanced proficiency credentials through APTA. Non-salary considerations, such as flexible scheduling, productive expectations, and the work environment, also play a pivotal role in overall job satisfaction and compensation structure at this level in RI.
More salary data for South Kingstown, RI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced physical therapist assistants make in South Kingstown in 2026?
What drives higher physical therapist assistant pay in South Kingstown?
What certifications boost physical therapist assistant salary in South Kingstown?
Can experienced physical therapist assistants make six figures in South Kingstown?
How much does physical therapist assistant salary increase over time in South Kingstown?
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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 $84,121 for physical therapist assistants in the South Kingstown 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 South Kingstown 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