PT Assistant Salary

Fernley vs Las Vegas: Physical Therapist Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare physical therapist assistant salaries between Fernley, NV and Las Vegas, NV. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Fernley, NV
$63,827
$30.69/hr
Las Vegas, NV
$77,582
$37.30/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFernley, NVLas Vegas, NV
Median Salary$63,827$77,582
Hourly Rate$30.69$37.30
Entry Level (P10)$48,568$50,482
25th Percentile$57,936$65,172
75th Percentile$72,585$83,324
Top Earner (P90)$80,328$93,453
Total Employed6430
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Fernley ($63,827) and Las Vegas ($77,582) physical therapist assistant salaries.FernleyLas VegasMedian Salary$63,827$77,582Entry Level (P10)$48,568$50,482Top Earner (P90)$80,328$93,453US Median $70,247

Verdict

Las Vegas, NV offers better overall compensation for physical therapist assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Fernley.

The salary gap between Fernley and Las Vegas is $13,755 (21.55%). Las Vegas's median is +10.44% compared to the US national median of $70,247.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Fernley spans $31,760,Las Vegas spans $42,971. Las Vegas has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced physical therapist assistants.

Fernley
P10 (Entry)$48,568
P25$57,936
Median$63,827
P75$72,585
P90 (Top)$80,328
Las Vegas
P10 (Entry)$50,482
P25$65,172
Median$77,582
P75$83,324
P90 (Top)$93,453

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Las Vegas ($77,416 effective) pays 19.23% more than Fernley ($64,931 effective).

Fernley
Nominal: $63,827
CoL Index: 98.3
Adjusted: $64,931
Las Vegas
Nominal: $77,582
CoL Index: 100.215
Adjusted: $77,416

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Fernley if…

  • You prefer the Nevada area and lifestyle

Choose Las Vegas if…

  • Higher median salary ($77,582/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($93,453)
  • Larger job market (430 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $77,416)
  • You prefer the Nevada area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist assistant salaries in Fernley grew -14.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 7.3% growth in Las Vegas over the same period.

Fernley, NV

+-14.5%

$72,689 (2024) → $62,131 (2025)

Las Vegas, NV

+7.3%

$70,360 (2019) → $75,520 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapist assistants more: Fernley or Las Vegas?

Las Vegas has a higher median physical therapist assistant salary at $77,582/year, compared to Fernley at $63,827/year — a difference of $13,755 (21.55%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Fernley and Las Vegas?

Fernley physical therapist assistants earn $30.69/hr while Las Vegas hygienists earn $37.30/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Fernley to Las Vegas as a physical therapist assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Fernley and Las Vegas. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Fernley = $64,931, Las Vegas = $77,416), job availability (6 vs 430 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapist assistants earn in Fernley vs Las Vegas?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapist assistants earn $48,568 in Fernley and $50,482 in Las Vegas. The Las Vegas 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