Senior Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Laramie, WY: $82,167 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of physical therapist assistants working in Laramie, WY — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $82,167/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 31-2021. Strip back Laramie's price premium (BEA RPP 95.8, 4% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $85,769 in average-cost America. The 24% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Compensation for senior physical therapist assistants in Laramie, Wyoming, reflects a clear opportunity for experienced professionals. With a projected median annual salary of $66,513 in 2026, top earners can expect to take home as much as $82,167, showcasing a distinct experience premium. This gap between median and top-tier salaries illustrates the high demand for seasoned talent within the healthcare market, with the potential for exceptional earnings positioning those with over seven years of experience in a favorable light. To reach such top-tier pay, physical therapist assistants in Laramie must consistently enhance their clinical skills, pursue specialized training, and potentially engage in leadership roles that increase their marketability and value.
About the Laramie Market
Salary estimated from Wyoming average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Laramie
Experienced physical therapist assistants at the top of the pay scale in Laramie earn between $74,271 and $82,167 per year (2026 est.). This $34,982 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Laramie median of $66,513 sits 5.32% below the US median.
Top PTA Salary Comparison
| Level | Laramie | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $66,513 | $70,247 |
| 75th Percentile | $74,271 | $80,828 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $82,167 | $91,954 |
In Laramie, experienced physical therapist assistants (P90) earn 23.54% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Physical Therapist Assistant Pay in Laramie
Advanced Certifications in Wyoming
WY physical therapist assistants with additional specialty certifications within the physical therapy field earn significantly above the $66,513 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Laramie employers.
Specialty Focus
Physical Therapist Assistants focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the physical therapy field in Laramie command premium compensation, often reaching the $74,271–$82,167 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Laramie 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 Laramie 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 Wyoming 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 Laramie
Clinical Physical Therapist Assistant
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Physical Therapist Assistant
5-10 yearsPhysical Therapist Assistant Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedLaramie ranks #1 of 14 Wyoming cities for top earner physical therapist assistant salary (90th percentile: $82,167).
Top 10% physical therapist assistant compensation in Laramie ($82,167) is 3.4% above the Wyoming average P90 ($79,462).
2019 BLS Actual
$72,236
2025 BLS Actual
$79,983
2026 Current Est.
$82,167
2019–2027 Growth
+16.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Laramie (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $72,236 | Actual |
| 2020 | $73,692 | Actual |
| 2021 | $71,637 | Actual |
| 2022 | $76,159 | Actual |
| 2023 | $79,375 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,152 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,983 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82,167 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84,410 | Projected |
Top-earning physical therapist assistants (90th percentile) in Laramie saw their compensation grow 10.7% from $72,236 in 2019 to $79,983 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 $84,410 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Laramie 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 Laramie
Specializations play a significant role in determining senior physical therapist assistant pay in Laramie, as professionals focusing on areas such as orthopedic rehabilitation, geriatric care, pediatric therapy, sports medicine, and home health stand to command higher wages. Senior-level compensation varies notably based on work environments, with outpatient orthopedic clinics and skilled nursing facilities typically offering different pay scales. Positions such as lead PTA or clinic operations supervisor often lead to enhanced responsibilities and corresponding income, while avenues like PTA-to-DPT bridge programs and roles as PTA program faculty can further elevate earnings potential. Advanced credentials stemming from a CAPTE-accredited PTA program, successful completion of the NPTAE, and a state PTA license can provide additional leverage in salary negotiations. In Wyoming, non-salary compensation factors, such as the type of setting, productivity expectations, and adjustments made in response to Medicare payment cuts, shape the overall financial landscape for senior physical therapist assistants. Understanding these dynamics is essential for navigating potential career advancements in Laramie's healthcare sector.
More salary data for Laramie, WY:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced physical therapist assistants make in Laramie in 2026?
What drives higher physical therapist assistant pay in Laramie?
What certifications boost physical therapist assistant salary in Laramie?
Can experienced physical therapist assistants make six figures in Laramie?
How much does physical therapist assistant salary increase over time in Laramie?
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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 $79,983 for physical therapist assistants in the Laramie 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 Laramie 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