PT Assistant Salary

Entry-Level Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Taylorsville, UT: $42,243 (2026)

Quick Answer:New physical therapist assistants entering the Taylorsville, UT job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $42,243 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-2021, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Taylorsville's local price level (BEA RPP 98.12% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $43,061 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($61,399) within a few years of clinical practice.

$42,243
Starting Salary
$20.31/hr
Starting Hourly
$42,243
Entry Level
$61,399
Career Median Target

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Physical Therapist Assistant Entry Level Salary in Taylorsville, UT — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Taylorsville, UT physical therapist assistant entry level salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In 2026, new physical therapist assistant graduates in Taylorsville can expect a starting salary around $42,243, which is noticeably lower than the city’s median annual salary of $61,399. This gap emphasizes the financial trajectory new PTAs might navigate in their early careers. With time, those who stick to the profession and gain experience could see their salaries rise to the P25 level of $52,779, making the pursuit worth it for many. Notably, Taylorsville presents an amiable local market for fresh graduates, particularly due to its relatively lower cost of living index of 98.1. The expected annual growth rate of 2.73% suggests potential for salary progression over the first few years, illustrating that entry-level physical therapist assistant pay in Taylorsville can lead to favorable earnings down the line.

About the Taylorsville Market

Salary estimated from Utah average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Career Earnings Timeline in Taylorsville

Year 0-2

New Graduate

$42,243/yr
Year 2-5

Early Career

$52,779/yr
Year 5-10

Mid Career

$61,399/yr
Year 10+

Experienced

$70,762/yr

Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Taylorsville

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for physical therapist assistants in Taylorsville. The median salary is $61,399, compared to the national median of $70,247.$38.0K$49.5K$61.1K$72.6K$84.1K$42.2K10th Pctl$52.8K25th Pctl$61.4KMedian$70.8K75th Pctl$80.1K90th PctlUS Median$70.2K

Entry-level physical therapist assistants in Taylorsville, UT typically start between $42,243 and $52,779 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $37,868 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $61,39912.6% below the national median.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of physical therapist assistant pay in the Taylorsville metro area.

Return on Investment

$18,000
Avg UT Program Cost
$42,243
Starting Salary
42.61%
Cost-to-Salary Ratio
<1 yr
Payback Estimate

The average physical therapy program cost in Utah of $18,000 represents just 42.61% of the starting physical therapist assistant pay ($42,243/year) in Taylorsville. 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 Taylorsville

  • 1Research the Taylorsville market: entry-level physical therapist assistant pay ranges from $42,243 to $52,779, 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 UT often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
  • 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Taylorsville, 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 Taylorsville for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
  • 5Taylorsville's moderate 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 Taylorsville is $37,868 ( 89.64%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $42,243, experienced hygienists can earn up to $80,111.

Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.

2019 BLS Actual

$28,806

2025 BLS Actual

$41,120

2026 Current Est.

$42,243

2019–2027 Growth

+50.6%

Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Taylorsville (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for physical therapist assistants in Taylorsville. Baseline $28,806 in 2025, projected to $43,396 by 2027.$25.9K$31.0K$36.1K$41.2K$46.3K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$28.8K$29.1K$32.1K$37.3K$36.3K$39.7K$41.1K$42.2K$43.4K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$28,806Actual
2020$29,141Actual
2021$32,104Actual
2022$37,322Actual
2023$36,263Actual
2024$39,710Actual
2025$41,120Actual
2026(current)$42,243Estimated
2027$43,396Projected

Entry-level physical therapist assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Taylorsville, UT grew 42.7% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $28,806 in 2019 to $41,120 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $43,396. New graduates entering the Taylorsville job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Taylorsville metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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 Taylorsville

When considering employment opportunities in Taylorsville, outpatient clinics tend to favor new graduates, while skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) still seek to fill entries despite the recent 15% cut in Medicare reimbursements affecting PTA-provided services. In contrast, home health agencies generally prefer to hire candidates with a year or two of clinical experience. For those starting their careers, credentials such as an Associate's degree from a CAPTE-accredited program, the completion of the NPTAE national exam, and state PTA licensing are critical. Additionally, advanced proficiency credentials through the APTA can enhance marketability and starting physical therapist assistant salary in Taylorsville. As early-career PTAs gain experience over the first few years, realistic salary growth can occur, positioning them better in a competitive environment influenced by state laws regarding PTA supervision and Medicare compliance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the starting salary for physical therapist assistants in Taylorsville in 2026?

Entry-level physical therapist assistants in Taylorsville start at approximately $42,243/year (10th percentile), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 2.73% annual growth). This is the typical range for new graduates with less than 1 year of clinical experience. The starting hourly equivalent is approximately $20.31/hour for full-time work. Starting pay depends on the practice type (private vs. large organization), patient volume, location within the metro area, and whether the position includes benefits.

How fast do physical therapist assistant salaries grow in Taylorsville?

Most physical therapist assistants in Taylorsville progress from the entry-level salary of $42,243 to the area median of $61,399 within 3–5 years of clinical experience. Top earners with specializations and certifications reach $80,111 (90th percentile). The biggest salary jumps typically come in years 2–5 as clinical skills develop, and again when obtaining advanced certifications or expanded-function credentials. Salary growth after 10 years tends to plateau unless moving into management or education roles.

Is physical therapy school worth it in Taylorsville?

With a starting salary of $42,243/year in Taylorsville and typical program costs ranging from $20,000–$80,000 for an associate's degree (2–3 years), graduates can expect a strong return on investment. Most new physical therapist assistants recoup their tuition within 1–3 years of working full-time. The profession also offers excellent work-life balance, flexible scheduling, low unemployment rates, and growing demand driven by an aging population's care needs.

What do new physical therapist assistants make right out of school in Taylorsville?

New physical therapy graduates in Taylorsville typically start near the 10th percentile at $42,243/year, or approximately $20.31/hour. Starting pay varies based on the practice type, patient volume, geographic location within the metro area, and whether the compensation package includes benefits like health insurance and retirement contributions. Graduates with internships at high-production practices often secure higher starting offers.

How do I become a physical therapist assistant in Utah?

To become a licensed physical therapist assistant in Utah, you typically need an associate degree from an accredited physical therapist assistant program. from an accredited program (typically 2–3 years), then pass the required national and state licensing examinations. Most states, including Utah, also require a clinical licensing exam. After obtaining licensure, you must maintain it through continuing education credits. Some physical therapist assistants pursue advanced degrees for career advancement into education, research, or public health roles.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in Utah

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

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 Taylorsville. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.

Data Sources & Methodology

Salary data for Taylorsville is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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

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