Entry-Level Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Fayetteville, AR: $36,387 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physical therapist assistants entering the Fayetteville, AR job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $36,387 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-2021, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Fayetteville's local price level (BEA RPP 91.4 — 9% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $39,831 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($75,096) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fayetteville, Arkansas, new graduate physical therapist assistants can expect a starting salary that typically begins at around $36,387 in 2026. This figure is significantly lower than the city’s median annual salary of $75,096, showcasing a common gap that many entry-level professionals encounter as they start their careers. However, the projected growth trajectory shows potential for salary increases, with early-career PTAs potentially moving towards the $60,385 mark as they gain experience over the first few years. Given the competitive rates and opportunities in the area, Fayetteville remains an appealing market for individuals entering the profession, especially as the 2.73% annual growth rate indicates robust job prospects for physical therapist assistants in the region.
Career Earnings Timeline in Fayetteville
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fayetteville
Entry-level physical therapist assistants in Fayetteville, AR typically start between $36,387 and $60,385 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $55,289 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $75,096 — 6.9% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physical therapy program cost in Arkansas of $11,000 represents just 30.23% of the starting physical therapist assistant pay ($36,387/year) in Fayetteville. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on CAPTE-accredited Physical Therapist Assistant associate degree programs. Tuition varies between community college and private technical school programs.
PTA Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Fayetteville
- 1Research the Fayetteville market: entry-level physical therapist assistant pay ranges from $36,387 to $60,385, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the physical therapy field — employers in AR often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Fayetteville, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Fayetteville for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Fayetteville's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Physical Therapist Assistant Compensation Range
The physical therapist assistant wage spread in Fayetteville is $55,289 ( 151.95%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $36,387, experienced hygienists can earn up to $91,676.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$43,520
2025 BLS Actual
$35,420
2026 Current Est.
$36,387
2019–2027 Growth
+-14.1%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Fayetteville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,520 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,200 | Actual |
| 2021 | $30,970 | Actual |
| 2022 | $33,300 | Actual |
| 2023 | $33,300 | Actual |
| 2024 | $35,780 | Actual |
| 2025 | $35,420 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36,387 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $37,380 | Projected |
Entry-level physical therapist assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Fayetteville, AR grew -18.6% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $43,520 in 2019 to $35,420 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $37,380. New graduates entering the Fayetteville job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fayetteville metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.73% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your physical therapy Career in Fayetteville
When searching for opportunities, new graduates should focus on the types of employers actively hiring in Fayetteville. Outpatient therapy clinics are generally the most common employers for newly certified physical therapist assistants, while skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) continue to recruit, despite facing reimbursement challenges. Home health care agencies often prefer candidates with prior clinical experience of 1-2 years. To enhance starting pay in Arkansas, emerging professionals are encouraged to obtain credentials such as an Associate's degree from a CAPTE-accredited program, pass the NPTAE national exam, and secure state licensure. While the industry experiences pressures from Medicare reimbursement cuts, which decreased payments for PTA services by 15% in 2022, there remains room for salary growth in the early years of practice, with solid development expected if PTAs continue to pursue professional development and certifications supported by the APTA.
More salary data for Fayetteville, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for physical therapist assistants in Fayetteville in 2026?
How fast do physical therapist assistant salaries grow in Fayetteville?
Is physical therapy school worth it in Fayetteville?
What do new physical therapist assistants make right out of school in Fayetteville?
How do I become a physical therapist assistant in Arkansas?
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new physical therapy graduates. A 2.73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Fayetteville. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.73%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physical therapist assistants (SOC 31-2021).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, DPT, a licensed physical therapist assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov