PT Assistant Salary

Beckley vs Huntington: Physical Therapist Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare physical therapist assistant salaries between Beckley, WV and Huntington, WV. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Beckley, WV
$61,022
$29.34/hr
Huntington, WV
$61,566
$29.60/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBeckley, WVHuntington, WV
Median Salary$61,022$61,566
Hourly Rate$29.34$29.60
Entry Level (P10)$49,136$46,886
25th Percentile$49,382$52,064
75th Percentile$72,928$68,274
Top Earner (P90)$85,667$81,321
Total Employed70280
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Beckley ($61,022) and Huntington ($61,566) physical therapist assistant salaries.BeckleyHuntingtonMedian Salary$61,022$61,566Entry Level (P10)$49,136$46,886Top Earner (P90)$85,667$81,321US Median $70,247

Verdict

Huntington, WV offers better overall compensation for physical therapist assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Beckley.

The salary gap between Beckley and Huntington is $544 (0.89%). Huntington's median is -12.36% compared to the US national median of $70,247.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Beckley spans $36,531,Huntington spans $34,435. Beckley has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Beckley
P10 (Entry)$49,136
P25$49,382
Median$61,022
P75$72,928
P90 (Top)$85,667
Huntington
P10 (Entry)$46,886
P25$52,064
Median$61,566
P75$68,274
P90 (Top)$81,321

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Huntington ($69,627 effective) pays 0.83% more than Beckley ($69,054 effective).

Beckley
Nominal: $61,022
CoL Index: 88.369
Adjusted: $69,054
Huntington
Nominal: $61,566
CoL Index: 88.422
Adjusted: $69,627

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Beckley if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($85,667)
  • You prefer the West Virginia area and lifestyle

Choose Huntington if…

  • Higher median salary ($61,566/year)
  • Larger job market (280 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $69,627)
  • You prefer the West Virginia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist assistant salaries in Beckley grew 17.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 13.6% growth in Huntington over the same period.

Beckley, WV

+17.8%

$50,430 (2019) → $59,400 (2025)

Huntington, WV

+13.6%

$52,740 (2019) → $59,930 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapist assistants more: Beckley or Huntington?

Huntington has a higher median physical therapist assistant salary at $61,566/year, compared to Beckley at $61,022/year — a difference of $544 (0.89%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Beckley and Huntington?

Beckley physical therapist assistants earn $29.34/hr while Huntington hygienists earn $29.60/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Beckley to Huntington as a physical therapist assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Beckley and Huntington. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Beckley = $69,054, Huntington = $69,627), job availability (70 vs 280 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapist assistants earn in Beckley vs Huntington?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapist assistants earn $49,136 in Beckley and $46,886 in Huntington. The Beckley area offers higher starting salaries.
JL

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.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gonzalez, PTAData verified by Ahmed Khan, DPT

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.73% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, DPT, a licensed physical therapist assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov