PT Assistant Salary

Broken Arrow vs Tulsa: Physical Therapist Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare physical therapist assistant salaries between Broken Arrow, OK and Tulsa, OK. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Broken Arrow, OK
$63,849
$30.70/hr
Tulsa, OK
$61,546
$29.59/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBroken Arrow, OKTulsa, OK
Median Salary$63,849$61,546
Hourly Rate$30.70$29.59
Entry Level (P10)$42,666$27,152
25th Percentile$54,040$59,892
75th Percentile$74,009$79,770
Top Earner (P90)$84,453$83,489
Total Employed23680
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Broken Arrow ($63,849) and Tulsa ($61,546) physical therapist assistant salaries.Broken ArrowTulsaMedian Salary$63,849$61,546Entry Level (P10)$42,666$27,152Top Earner (P90)$84,453$83,489US Median $70,247

Verdict

Broken Arrow, OK offers better overall compensation for physical therapist assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Tulsa.

The salary gap between Broken Arrow and Tulsa is $2,303 (3.74%). Broken Arrow's median is -9.11% compared to the US national median of $70,247.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Broken Arrow spans $41,787,Tulsa spans $56,337. Tulsa has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced physical therapist assistants.

Broken Arrow
P10 (Entry)$42,666
P25$54,040
Median$63,849
P75$74,009
P90 (Top)$84,453
Tulsa
P10 (Entry)$27,152
P25$59,892
Median$61,546
P75$79,770
P90 (Top)$83,489

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Broken Arrow ($71,821 effective) pays 4.11% more than Tulsa ($68,987 effective).

Broken Arrow
Nominal: $63,849
CoL Index: 88.9
Adjusted: $71,821
Tulsa
Nominal: $61,546
CoL Index: 89.214
Adjusted: $68,987

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Broken Arrow if…

  • Higher median salary ($63,849/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($84,453)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $71,821)
  • You prefer the Oklahoma area and lifestyle

Choose Tulsa if…

  • Larger job market (680 employed)
  • You prefer the Oklahoma area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist assistant salaries in Broken Arrow grew 6.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -0.7% growth in Tulsa over the same period.

Broken Arrow, OK

+6.8%

$58,171 (2024) → $62,152 (2025)

Tulsa, OK

+-0.7%

$60,320 (2019) → $59,910 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapist assistants more: Broken Arrow or Tulsa?

Broken Arrow has a higher median physical therapist assistant salary at $63,849/year, compared to Tulsa at $61,546/year — a difference of $2,303 (3.74%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Broken Arrow and Tulsa?

Broken Arrow physical therapist assistants earn $30.70/hr while Tulsa hygienists earn $29.59/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Broken Arrow to Tulsa as a physical therapist assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Broken Arrow and Tulsa. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Broken Arrow = $71,821, Tulsa = $68,987), job availability (23 vs 680 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapist assistants earn in Broken Arrow vs Tulsa?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapist assistants earn $42,666 in Broken Arrow and $27,152 in Tulsa. The Broken Arrow area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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