PT Assistant Salary

Hagerstown vs Salisbury: Physical Therapist Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare physical therapist assistant salaries between Hagerstown, MD and Salisbury, MD. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Hagerstown, MD
$67,781
$32.59/hr
Salisbury, MD
$77,428
$37.23/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHagerstown, MDSalisbury, MD
Median Salary$67,781$77,428
Hourly Rate$32.59$37.23
Entry Level (P10)$49,588$35,863
25th Percentile$60,313$64,710
75th Percentile$76,215$86,971
Top Earner (P90)$77,777$92,087
Total Employed12050
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Hagerstown ($67,781) and Salisbury ($77,428) physical therapist assistant salaries.HagerstownSalisburyMedian Salary$67,781$77,428Entry Level (P10)$49,588$35,863Top Earner (P90)$77,777$92,087US Median $70,247

Verdict

Salisbury, MD offers better overall compensation for physical therapist assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Hagerstown.

The salary gap between Hagerstown and Salisbury is $9,647 (14.23%). Salisbury's median is +10.22% compared to the US national median of $70,247.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Hagerstown spans $28,189,Salisbury spans $56,224. Salisbury has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced physical therapist assistants.

Hagerstown
P10 (Entry)$49,588
P25$60,313
Median$67,781
P75$76,215
P90 (Top)$77,777
Salisbury
P10 (Entry)$35,863
P25$64,710
Median$77,428
P75$86,971
P90 (Top)$92,087

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Salisbury ($80,977 effective) pays 12.51% more than Hagerstown ($71,977 effective).

Hagerstown
Nominal: $67,781
CoL Index: 94.171
Adjusted: $71,977
Salisbury
Nominal: $77,428
CoL Index: 95.617
Adjusted: $80,977

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Hagerstown if…

  • Larger job market (120 employed)
  • You prefer the Maryland area and lifestyle

Choose Salisbury if…

  • Higher median salary ($77,428/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($92,087)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $80,977)
  • You prefer the Maryland area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist assistant salaries in Hagerstown grew 10.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 18.9% growth in Salisbury over the same period.

Hagerstown, MD

+10.6%

$59,630 (2019) → $65,980 (2025)

Salisbury, MD

+18.9%

$63,390 (2019) → $75,370 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapist assistants more: Hagerstown or Salisbury?

Salisbury has a higher median physical therapist assistant salary at $77,428/year, compared to Hagerstown at $67,781/year — a difference of $9,647 (14.23%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Hagerstown and Salisbury?

Hagerstown physical therapist assistants earn $32.59/hr while Salisbury hygienists earn $37.23/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Hagerstown to Salisbury as a physical therapist assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Hagerstown and Salisbury. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Hagerstown = $71,977, Salisbury = $80,977), job availability (120 vs 50 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapist assistants earn in Hagerstown vs Salisbury?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapist assistants earn $49,588 in Hagerstown and $35,863 in Salisbury. The Hagerstown 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