Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Daphne, AL: $61,268 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Daphne, AL earns a median $61,268/year (≈ $29.45/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Daphne's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 94.7), that paycheck buys what $64,704 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.9% below the Alabama state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the expected earnings for physical therapist assistants in Daphne, Alabama, are set at a median of $61,268. This figure falls short by 12.78% compared to the national median of $70,247, highlighting the unique economic landscape of the region. Salary ranges for this role vary significantly, with entry-level positions (P10) earning around $51,170 and experienced professionals (P90) reaching up to $77,602. Such disparities in pay reflect local productivity expectations, with the potential to influence the number of patient visits each assistant handles daily. These insights are based on 2025 BLS OEWS survey data, projected to 2026, which enables aspiring physical therapist assistants to gauge their prospective compensation and make informed career choices in Daphne's healthcare market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,170 | $24.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57,200 | $27.50 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,268 | $29.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72,538 | $34.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77,602 | $37.31 |
Median Salary Position
12.78% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Daphne
In Daphne, AL, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $26,432 (2026 est.). At $61,268, the local median is 12.78% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Daphne: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Daphne Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Daphne median: $61,268/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Daphne Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $63,098 | -2.90% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -12.78% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Daphne, AL earn a median of $61,268 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.78% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 2.90% below the Alabama state average of $63,098.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Daphne has a cost of living 5.31% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Daphne, AL has a cost-of-living index of 94.69 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $61,268 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,704 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.61% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$51,260
2025 BLS Actual
$59,640
2026 Current Est.
$61,268
2019–2027 Growth
+22.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Daphne (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,260 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,930 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,980 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,620 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,780 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,410 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,640 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,268 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,941 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Daphne metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $51,260 (2019) to $59,640 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,941 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,681 (22.79%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Daphne 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) | $51,170 – $57,200 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $57,200 – $61,268 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,268 – $72,538 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $72,538 – $77,602 |
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 Daphne
Daphne employs approximately 90 physical therapist assistants, which suggests a healthy job market for professionals in this sector. The local cost of living index stands at 94.69, indicating that living expenses are below the national average. This creates an advantageous scenario for physical therapist assistants as their take-home pay carries more purchasing power. In terms of employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics may offer the highest salaries, followed closely by skilled nursing facility rehabilitation and home health agencies. Factors such as workplace setting and the associated productivity expectations heavily influence the salary spread: positions within hospitals typically command better wages compared to outpatient settings. To maximize earnings, physical therapist assistants in Daphne should aim for additional certifications or skills that appeal to high-paying employers, while also considering the shifting dynamics caused by Medicare’s 15% cut impacting reimbursement rates in skilled nursing and outpatient environments.
More salary data for Daphne, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Daphne, AL in 2026?
Is Daphne, AL a good place to work as a physical therapist assistant?
Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Daphne?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Daphne?
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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
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 $59,640 for physical therapist assistantsin the Daphne 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, 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