PT Assistant Salary

Boise City vs Caldwell: Physical Therapist Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare physical therapist assistant salaries between Boise City, ID and Caldwell, ID. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Boise City, ID
$63,025
$30.31/hr
Caldwell, ID
$63,271
$30.42/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBoise City, IDCaldwell, ID
Median Salary$63,025$63,271
Hourly Rate$30.31$30.42
Entry Level (P10)$53,738$41,862
25th Percentile$62,049$56,933
75th Percentile$74,253$71,670
Top Earner (P90)$80,838$80,469
Total Employed2008
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Boise City ($63,025) and Caldwell ($63,271) physical therapist assistant salaries.Boise CityCaldwellMedian Salary$63,025$63,271Entry Level (P10)$53,738$41,862Top Earner (P90)$80,838$80,469US Median $70,247

Verdict

Boise City and Caldwell are closely matched on overall physical therapist assistant compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Boise City and Caldwell is $246 (0.39%). Caldwell's median is -9.93% compared to the US national median of $70,247.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Boise City spans $27,100,Caldwell spans $38,607. Caldwell has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced physical therapist assistants.

Boise City
P10 (Entry)$53,738
P25$62,049
Median$63,025
P75$74,253
P90 (Top)$80,838
Caldwell
P10 (Entry)$41,862
P25$56,933
Median$63,271
P75$71,670
P90 (Top)$80,469

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Caldwell ($66,391 effective) pays 3.65% more than Boise City ($64,056 effective).

Boise City
Nominal: $63,025
CoL Index: 98.391
Adjusted: $64,056
Caldwell
Nominal: $63,271
CoL Index: 95.3
Adjusted: $66,391

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Boise City if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($80,838)
  • Larger job market (200 employed)
  • You prefer the Idaho area and lifestyle

Choose Caldwell if…

  • Higher median salary ($63,271/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $66,391)
  • You prefer the Idaho area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist assistant salaries in Boise City grew 20.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 3.4% growth in Caldwell over the same period.

Boise City, ID

+20.3%

$51,010 (2019) → $61,350 (2025)

Caldwell, ID

+3.4%

$59,550 (2024) → $61,590 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapist assistants more: Boise City or Caldwell?

Caldwell has a higher median physical therapist assistant salary at $63,271/year, compared to Boise City at $63,025/year — a difference of $246 (0.39%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Boise City and Caldwell?

Boise City physical therapist assistants earn $30.31/hr while Caldwell hygienists earn $30.42/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Boise City to Caldwell as a physical therapist assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Boise City and Caldwell. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Boise City = $64,056, Caldwell = $66,391), job availability (200 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapist assistants earn in Boise City vs Caldwell?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapist assistants earn $53,738 in Boise City and $41,862 in Caldwell. The Boise City 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