SOC 31-2021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Physical Therapist Assistants — Southwestern Pennsylvania
Southwestern Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage for Physical Therapist Assistants in Southwestern Pennsylvania, PA is $62,900 per year, 8.0% below the national median of $68,380.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Physical Therapist Assistants in Southwestern Pennsylvania, PA is $62,900 per year, 8.0% below the national median of $68,380. Pay ranges from under $47,920 at the tenth percentile to more than $74,550 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $51,490 to $69,190.
Employment stands at 140, or 1.0 jobs per thousand held locally. Philadelphia leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $71,540. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 122nd of 364 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $47,920 | −29.9% |
| 25th | $51,490 | −24.7% |
| Median (50th) | $62,900 | −8.0% |
| 75th | $69,190 | +1.2% |
| 90th | $74,550 | +9.0% |
| Mean | $61,410 | −10.2% |
Other metro areas in Pennsylvania
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Philadelphia | $71,540 | 1,650 | |
| 2 | Reading | $69,530 | 90 | |
| 3 | Chambersburg | $67,190 | 60 | |
| 4 | Allentown | $65,510 | 250 | |
| 5 | York | $62,400 | 130 | |
| 6 | Harrisburg | $62,330 | 190 | |
| 7 | Lancaster | $61,950 | 220 | |
| 8 | Altoona | $61,670 | 80 | |
| 9 | Scranton | $60,520 | 200 | |
| 10 | Williamsport | $60,480 | 50 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Southwestern Pennsylvania run 2.4% below the national average, so the median of $62,900 goes as far as $64,447 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 5.8% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$62,900as reported by BLSLocal price level
97.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$64,447US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $62,900 a year, 8.0% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $47,920 to $74,550 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 140 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Philadelphia, at $71,540.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Physical Therapist Assistants in Southwestern Pennsylvania, PA?
The median annual wage is $62,900, or $30.24 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $68,380, so pay in Southwestern Pennsylvania, PA is 8.0% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Southwestern Pennsylvania, PA earns more than $74,550 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $47,920 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Philadelphia, at $71,540 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 140 jobs in this occupation in Southwestern Pennsylvania, PA. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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