Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Anniston, AL: $63,600 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Anniston, AL earns a median $63,600/year (≈ $30.58/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Anniston's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.9), that paycheck buys what $73,997 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% above the Alabama state average.
Official BLS data · View source
For those considering a career as a physical therapist assistant in Anniston, Alabama, the expected median annual salary in 2026 is projected at $63,600. This figure represents a competitive option within the local job market and is notably around 9.46% lower than the national median of $70,247. The salary range for physical therapist assistants in the area spans from $50,584 at the 10th percentile to $90,824 at the 90th percentile, highlighting a significant variance based on experience, work setting, and productivity. These projections are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, indicating a stable demand driven by productivity expectations and visits-per-day that shape effective compensation models for the profession in Anniston.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,584 | $24.32 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,153 | $25.55 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,600 | $30.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $75,116 | $36.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $90,824 | $43.67 |
Median Salary Position
9.46% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Anniston
In Anniston, AL, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $40,240 (2026 est.). At $63,600, the local median is 9.46% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Anniston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Anniston Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Anniston median: $63,600/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Anniston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $63,095 | +0.80% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | -9.46% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Anniston, AL earn a median of $63,600 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.46% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 0.80% above the Alabama state average of $63,095.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Anniston has a cost of living 14.05% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Anniston, AL has a cost-of-living index of 85.949 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $63,600 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $73,997 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.35% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$54,470
2025 BLS Actual
$61,910
2026 Current Est.
$63,600
2019–2027 Growth
+19.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Anniston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,470 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,115 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,390 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,100 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,380 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,570 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,910 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,600 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,336 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Anniston metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 13.7% from $54,470 (2019) to $61,910 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,336 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,866 (19.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Anniston 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $50,584 – $53,153 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,153 – $63,600 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,600 – $75,116 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $75,116 – $90,824 |
PTA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Assistant Job Market in Anniston
Examining the local job market, there are currently 50 physical therapist assistants employed in Anniston, with a cost-of-living index of 85.949 reflecting a lower-than-average living expense, which enhances the purchasing power of these salaries. Outpatient orthopedic clinics tend to offer the most attractive pay, particularly among private practices that prioritize productivity and customer retention. The wage range discrepancy can be attributed to various factors, including the setting of the practice, with hospitals generally offering higher compensation than outpatient or skilled nursing facilities. Additionally, the ongoing 15% Medicare reimbursement cut for PTA-provided services, effective since 2022, has compounded the challenges for those in heavily Medicare-reliant settings. Therefore, maximizing pay in Anniston may involve seeking roles in higher-paying environments or advancing to supervisory positions, which could increase hourly earnings given the supervisory responsibilities mandated by state law and Medicare requirements.
More salary data for Anniston, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Anniston, AL in 2026?
Is Anniston, AL a good place to work as a physical therapist assistant?
Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Anniston?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Anniston?
How much does a physical therapist assistant make per hour in Anniston?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Alabama
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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $61,910 for physical therapist assistantsin the Anniston metropolitan area. A 2.73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-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