Senior Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Rawlins, WY: $81,077 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of physical therapist assistants working in Rawlins, WY — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $81,077/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 31-2021. Strip back Rawlins's price premium (BEA RPP 95.8, 4% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $84,632 in average-cost America. The 27% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For experienced physical therapist assistants in Rawlins, WY, the 2026 projections present a compelling pay scale that reveals the significant potential for top earners in this field. Those reaching the 90th percentile can expect to earn around $81,077 annually, putting them just slightly below the national top earner figures. This substantial salary reflects the experience premium that advanced career physical therapist assistants can acquire, with a median annual salary of $63,782 highlighting a $17,295 gap to the upper echelon of earners. Achieving this top-tier salary requires not just extensive experience—ideally seven years or more—but also a proactive approach toward specialization and continuing education, which can bolster earning power in a competitive healthcare market.
About the Rawlins Market
Salary estimated from Wyoming average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rawlins
Experienced physical therapist assistants at the top of the pay scale in Rawlins earn between $69,322 and $81,077 per year (2026 est.). This $35,541 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Rawlins median of $63,782 sits 9.2% below the US median.
Top PTA Salary Comparison
| Level | Rawlins | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $63,782 | $70,247 |
| 75th Percentile | $69,322 | $80,828 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $81,077 | $91,954 |
In Rawlins, experienced physical therapist assistants (P90) earn 27.12% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Physical Therapist Assistant Pay in Rawlins
Advanced Certifications in Wyoming
WY physical therapist assistants with additional specialty certifications within the physical therapy field earn significantly above the $63,782 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Rawlins employers.
Specialty Focus
Physical Therapist Assistants focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the physical therapy field in Rawlins command premium compensation, often reaching the $69,322–$81,077 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Rawlins 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 Rawlins 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 Rawlins
Clinical Physical Therapist Assistant
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Physical Therapist Assistant
5-10 yearsPhysical Therapist Assistant Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedRawlins ranks #2 of 14 Wyoming cities for top earner physical therapist assistant salary (90th percentile: $81,077).
Top 10% physical therapist assistant compensation in Rawlins ($81,077) is 2.03% above the Wyoming average P90 ($79,462).
2019 BLS Actual
$71,278
2025 BLS Actual
$78,922
2026 Current Est.
$81,077
2019–2027 Growth
+16.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Rawlins (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $71,278 | Actual |
| 2020 | $72,715 | Actual |
| 2021 | $70,687 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,148 | Actual |
| 2023 | $78,322 | Actual |
| 2024 | $73,076 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,922 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,077 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83,290 | Projected |
Top-earning physical therapist assistants (90th percentile) in Rawlins saw their compensation grow 10.7% from $71,278 in 2019 to $78,922 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 $83,290 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rawlins 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 Rawlins
Shifts in specialization often dictate compensation in Rawlins, with areas such as orthopedic and geriatric rehabilitation, pediatric therapy, sports medicine, and home health commanding premium pay. Senior physical therapist assistants find varied compensation depending on their work environment, with outpatient orthopedic clinics and skilled nursing facilities generally offering different pay scales. Those rising into leadership roles, such as clinic operations supervisors or faculty positions in PTA programs, can open avenues to higher salaries while fostering professional development. Advanced credentials are crucial for upward mobility, with the APTA's optional proficiency certifications adding to one's marketability. However, compensation structures are influenced heavily by factors like setting and productivity expectations; recent Medicare cuts have particularly impacted earnings within skilled nursing and outpatient environments. Understanding these dynamics can help experienced physical therapist assistants navigate their careers effectively within Rawlins's healthcare ecosystem.
More salary data for Rawlins, WY:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced physical therapist assistants make in Rawlins in 2026?
What drives higher physical therapist assistant pay in Rawlins?
What certifications boost physical therapist assistant salary in Rawlins?
Can experienced physical therapist assistants make six figures in Rawlins?
How much does physical therapist assistant salary increase over time in Rawlins?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Wyoming
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 $78,922 for physical therapist assistants in the Rawlins 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 Rawlins 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