Senior Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Cedar City, UT: $76,569 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of physical therapist assistants working in Cedar City, UT — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $76,569/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 31-2021. Strip back Cedar City's price premium (BEA RPP 98.1, 2% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $78,052 in average-cost America. The 23% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Cedar City, UT, senior physical therapist assistants are positioned to earn significant salaries, with top earners projected to make $76,569 in 2026. This figure contrasts with the median annual salary of $62,153, showcasing the potential financial benefits of gaining extensive experience—typically over seven years. Experienced professionals can expect to find themselves in a competitive pay range, notably enhanced by their specialized skills and roles. To reach such high levels of compensation, these practitioners often engage in continual education, pursue advanced certifications, and may take on supervisory or mentoring roles within their facilities. The disparity between median pay and the top tier emphasizes not just experience, but the importance of strategic career decisions in advancing one's earnings in Cedar City.
About the Cedar City Market
Salary estimated from Utah average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cedar City
Experienced physical therapist assistants at the top of the pay scale in Cedar City earn between $69,273 and $76,569 per year (2026 est.). This $32,395 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Cedar City median of $62,153 sits 11.52% below the US median.
Top PTA Salary Comparison
| Level | Cedar City | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $62,153 | $70,247 |
| 75th Percentile | $69,273 | $80,828 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $76,569 | $91,954 |
In Cedar City, experienced physical therapist assistants (P90) earn 23.19% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Physical Therapist Assistant Pay in Cedar City
Advanced Certifications in Utah
UT physical therapist assistants with additional specialty certifications within the physical therapy field earn significantly above the $62,153 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Cedar City employers.
Specialty Focus
Physical Therapist Assistants focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the physical therapy field in Cedar City command premium compensation, often reaching the $69,273–$76,569 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Cedar 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 Cedar 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 Utah 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 Cedar City
Clinical Physical Therapist Assistant
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Physical Therapist Assistant
5-10 yearsPhysical Therapist Assistant Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedCedar City ranks #30 of 41 Utah cities for top earner physical therapist assistant salary (90th percentile: $76,569).
Top 10% physical therapist assistant compensation in Cedar City ($76,569) is 8.54% below the Utah average P90 ($83,716).
2019 BLS Actual
$67,315
2025 BLS Actual
$74,534
2026 Current Est.
$76,569
2019–2027 Growth
+16.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Cedar City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $67,315 | Actual |
| 2020 | $68,672 | Actual |
| 2021 | $66,757 | Actual |
| 2022 | $70,970 | Actual |
| 2023 | $73,968 | Actual |
| 2024 | $73,158 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,534 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,569 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78,659 | Projected |
Top-earning physical therapist assistants (90th percentile) in Cedar City saw their compensation grow 10.7% from $67,315 in 2019 to $74,534 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 $78,659 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cedar 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 Cedar City
Various specializations within the physical therapy field significantly influence salary trajectories for experienced physical therapist assistants in Cedar City. Those focusing on orthopedics, geriatrics, and sports medicine often enjoy premiums over their peers in less demanding segments, such as school therapy programs. Different employer settings, from outpatient orthopedic clinics to skilled nursing facilities, introduce distinct compensation structures. For instance, outpatient clinics may offer competitive salaries aligned with productivity expectations, while skilled nursing facilities may face the impacts of the 15% Medicare cut, affecting available budgets for compensation. Career advancement opportunities offer viable paths for seasoned PTAs, with roles such as lead PTA, regional clinical educator, or PTA program faculty available for those who seek to further their influence in the field. Additionally, obtaining credentials like the NPTAE national exam or pursuing a PTA-to-DPT bridge pathway can lead to enhanced earnings. Understanding these dynamics is vital for any professional looking to boost their senior physical therapist assistant pay in UT.
More salary data for Cedar City, UT:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced physical therapist assistants make in Cedar City in 2026?
What drives higher physical therapist assistant pay in Cedar City?
What certifications boost physical therapist assistant salary in Cedar City?
Can experienced physical therapist assistants make six figures in Cedar City?
How much does physical therapist assistant salary increase over time in Cedar 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 $74,534 for physical therapist assistants in the Cedar 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 Cedar 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