Senior Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Burien, WA: $91,988 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of physical therapist assistants working in Burien, WA — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $91,988/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 31-2021. Strip back Burien's price premium (BEA RPP 107.4, 7% above national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $85,650 in average-cost America. The 35% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, experienced physical therapist assistants in Burien, Washington can anticipate a median annual salary of $68,314, but top earners can make significantly more, with salaries reaching as high as $91,988 at the 90th percentile and around $80,444 at the 75th percentile. This reflects a notable experience premium, where advanced practitioners see a substantial gap between their earnings and the median figure. To achieve this top-tier compensation, physical therapist assistants must typically accumulate at least seven years of experience and often pursue specialized skills or certifications. Navigating career advancement opportunities within outpatient clinics or healthcare facilities and acquiring advanced credentials can also play crucial roles in reaching these higher salaries.
About the Burien Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Burien
Experienced physical therapist assistants at the top of the pay scale in Burien earn between $80,444 and $91,988 per year (2026 est.). This $42,705 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Burien median of $68,314 sits 2.75% below the US median.
Top PTA Salary Comparison
| Level | Burien | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $68,314 | $70,247 |
| 75th Percentile | $80,444 | $80,828 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $91,988 | $91,954 |
In Burien, experienced physical therapist assistants (P90) earn 34.65% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Physical Therapist Assistant Pay in Burien
Advanced Certifications in Washington
WA physical therapist assistants with additional specialty certifications within the physical therapy field earn significantly above the $68,314 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Burien employers.
Specialty Focus
Physical Therapist Assistants focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the physical therapy field in Burien command premium compensation, often reaching the $80,444–$91,988 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Burien 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 Burien 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 Washington 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 Burien
Clinical Physical Therapist Assistant
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Physical Therapist Assistant
5-10 yearsPhysical Therapist Assistant Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedBurien ranks #12 of 50 Washington cities for top earner physical therapist assistant salary (90th percentile: $91,988).
Top 10% physical therapist assistant compensation in Burien ($91,988) is 2.35% below the Washington average P90 ($94,204).
2019 BLS Actual
$80,870
2025 BLS Actual
$89,543
2026 Current Est.
$91,988
2019–2027 Growth
+16.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Burien (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $80,870 | Actual |
| 2020 | $82,500 | Actual |
| 2021 | $80,200 | Actual |
| 2022 | $85,261 | Actual |
| 2023 | $88,863 | Actual |
| 2024 | $105,845 | Actual |
| 2025 | $89,543 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $91,988 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $94,499 | Projected |
Top-earning physical therapist assistants (90th percentile) in Burien saw their compensation grow 10.7% from $80,870 in 2019 to $89,543 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 $94,499 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Burien 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 Burien
Salaries for senior physical therapist assistants vary significantly depending on specialization and employment setting in Burien. For instance, those working in outpatient orthopedic clinics or home health agencies often command higher pay due to the demand for specialized skills in areas such as orthopedic and pediatric therapy. Conversely, positions within skilled nursing facilities may come with lower pay as the sector has been impacted by the 15% Medicare cut to PTA services. Advancement paths are available for experienced professionals, including roles like lead PTA, operations supervisor in clinical settings, or transitioning to a DPT program. Credentials obtained from an accredited CAPTE program and passing the NPTAE exam lay the groundwork for higher earnings. Non-salary benefits also influence total compensation, with factors such as work environment, productivity expectations, and weekend shift premiums playing integral roles.
More salary data for Burien, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced physical therapist assistants make in Burien in 2026?
What drives higher physical therapist assistant pay in Burien?
What certifications boost physical therapist assistant salary in Burien?
Can experienced physical therapist assistants make six figures in Burien?
How much does physical therapist assistant salary increase over time in Burien?
Related Pages
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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 $89,543 for physical therapist assistants in the Burien 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 Burien 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