PT Assistant Salary

Columbus vs Newnan: Physical Therapist Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare physical therapist assistant salaries between Columbus, GA and Newnan, GA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Columbus, GA
$64,114
$30.83/hr
Newnan, GA
$65,521
$31.50/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricColumbus, GANewnan, GA
Median Salary$64,114$65,521
Hourly Rate$30.83$31.50
Entry Level (P10)$29,545$49,257
25th Percentile$49,721$59,243
75th Percentile$79,287$74,954
Top Earner (P90)$84,187$83,881
Total Employed10010
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Columbus ($64,114) and Newnan ($65,521) physical therapist assistant salaries.ColumbusNewnanMedian Salary$64,114$65,521Entry Level (P10)$29,545$49,257Top Earner (P90)$84,187$83,881US Median $70,247

Verdict

Columbus and Newnan are closely matched on overall physical therapist assistant compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Columbus and Newnan is $1,407 (2.19%). Newnan's median is -6.73% compared to the US national median of $70,247.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Columbus spans $54,642,Newnan spans $34,624. Columbus has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Columbus
P10 (Entry)$29,545
P25$49,721
Median$64,114
P75$79,287
P90 (Top)$84,187
Newnan
P10 (Entry)$49,257
P25$59,243
Median$65,521
P75$74,954
P90 (Top)$83,881

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Columbus ($71,799 effective) pays 2.02% more than Newnan ($70,377 effective).

Columbus
Nominal: $64,114
CoL Index: 89.296
Adjusted: $71,799
Newnan
Nominal: $65,521
CoL Index: 93.1
Adjusted: $70,377

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Columbus if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($84,187)
  • Larger job market (100 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $71,799)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Choose Newnan if…

  • Higher median salary ($65,521/year)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist assistant salaries in Columbus grew 8.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 11.2% growth in Newnan over the same period.

Columbus, GA

+8.4%

$57,570 (2019) → $62,410 (2025)

Newnan, GA

+11.2%

$57,336 (2024) → $63,780 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapist assistants more: Columbus or Newnan?

Newnan has a higher median physical therapist assistant salary at $65,521/year, compared to Columbus at $64,114/year — a difference of $1,407 (2.19%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Columbus and Newnan?

Columbus physical therapist assistants earn $30.83/hr while Newnan hygienists earn $31.50/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Columbus to Newnan as a physical therapist assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Columbus and Newnan. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Columbus = $71,799, Newnan = $70,377), job availability (100 vs 10 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapist assistants earn in Columbus vs Newnan?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapist assistants earn $29,545 in Columbus and $49,257 in Newnan. The Newnan 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