PT Assistant Salary

Birmingham vs Homewood: Physical Therapist Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare physical therapist assistant salaries between Birmingham, AL and Homewood, AL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Birmingham, AL
$64,083
$30.81/hr
Homewood, AL
$60,971
$29.31/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBirmingham, ALHomewood, AL
Median Salary$64,083$60,971
Hourly Rate$30.81$29.31
Entry Level (P10)$36,962$46,174
25th Percentile$58,607$55,426
75th Percentile$76,143$70,078
Top Earner (P90)$81,218$78,369
Total Employed8005
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Birmingham ($64,083) and Homewood ($60,971) physical therapist assistant salaries.BirminghamHomewoodMedian Salary$64,083$60,971Entry Level (P10)$36,962$46,174Top Earner (P90)$81,218$78,369US Median $70,247

Verdict

Birmingham, AL offers better overall compensation for physical therapist assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Homewood.

The salary gap between Birmingham and Homewood is $3,112 (5.10%). Birmingham's median is -8.77% compared to the US national median of $70,247.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Birmingham spans $44,256,Homewood spans $32,195. Birmingham has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Birmingham
P10 (Entry)$36,962
P25$58,607
Median$64,083
P75$76,143
P90 (Top)$81,218
Homewood
P10 (Entry)$46,174
P25$55,426
Median$60,971
P75$70,078
P90 (Top)$78,369

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Birmingham ($69,926 effective) pays 0.81% more than Homewood ($69,364 effective).

Birmingham
Nominal: $64,083
CoL Index: 91.644
Adjusted: $69,926
Homewood
Nominal: $60,971
CoL Index: 87.9
Adjusted: $69,364

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Birmingham if…

  • Higher median salary ($64,083/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($81,218)
  • Larger job market (800 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $69,926)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Choose Homewood if…

  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist assistant salaries in Birmingham grew 6.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 24.8% growth in Homewood over the same period.

Birmingham, AL

+6.0%

$58,830 (2019) → $62,380 (2025)

Homewood, AL

+24.8%

$47,558 (2024) → $59,351 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapist assistants more: Birmingham or Homewood?

Birmingham has a higher median physical therapist assistant salary at $64,083/year, compared to Homewood at $60,971/year — a difference of $3,112 (5.10%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Birmingham and Homewood?

Birmingham physical therapist assistants earn $30.81/hr while Homewood hygienists earn $29.31/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Birmingham to Homewood as a physical therapist assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Birmingham and Homewood. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Birmingham = $69,926, Homewood = $69,364), job availability (800 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapist assistants earn in Birmingham vs Homewood?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapist assistants earn $36,962 in Birmingham and $46,174 in Homewood. The Homewood 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