Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Chandler, AZ: $66,952 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Chandler, AZ earns a median $66,952/year (≈ $32.19/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Chandler's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $67,972 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% above the Arizona state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physical therapist assistants in Chandler, Arizona, have a median annual salary of $66,952, which is slightly below the national median of $70,247. Salary figures range from $42,923 at the 10th percentile to $90,240 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a competitive pay structure influenced by the local market's dynamics. These estimates derive from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, along with regional price adjustments. The compensation for this profession remains varied due to shifts post-Medicare cuts, particularly in the outpatient and skilled nursing facility (SNF) sectors, where hourly rates and annual salaries are affected by patient volume and reimbursement scenarios.
About the Chandler Market
Salary estimated from Arizona average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,923 | $20.64 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,437 | $26.65 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $66,952 | $32.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78,410 | $37.70 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $90,240 | $43.38 |
Median Salary Position
4.69% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chandler
In Chandler, AZ, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,317 (2026 est.). At $66,952, the local median is 4.69% below the national median of $70,247.
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At 40 hours/week in Chandler: You'd be above the median
How Chandler Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Chandler median: $66,952/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chandler Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Average | $66,752 | +0.30% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | -4.69% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Chandler, AZ earn a median of $66,952 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.69% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 0.30% above the Arizona state average of $66,752.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chandler has a cost of living 1.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Chandler, AZ has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $66,952 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $67,972 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$56,033
2025 BLS Actual
$65,173
2026 Current Est.
$66,952
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Chandler (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,033 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,967 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,311 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,826 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,075 | Actual |
| 2024 | $67,429 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,173 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,952 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,780 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chandler metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $56,033 (2019) to $65,173 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,780 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,747 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chandler 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) | $42,923 – $55,437 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,437 – $66,952 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $66,952 – $78,410 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $78,410 – $90,240 |
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 Chandler
The job market for physical therapist assistants in Chandler currently employs 49 individuals. With a cost-of-living index at 98.5, salaries here provide a modest purchasing power that can influence retention in the field. Outpatient orthopedic clinics, including both chains and private practices, typically offer the highest pay, followed by hospital inpatient rehabilitation settings. Understanding the stark income disparity is crucial; employers look at productivity expectations and the impact of the 15% reimbursement cut on services when setting salaries. To maximize earning potential in this market, pursuing employment in well-funded outpatient settings, accepting flexibility with weekend shifts, and seeking supervisory roles can be advantageous for PTAs looking to enhance their income.
More salary data for Chandler, AZ:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Chandler?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Chandler?
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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 $65,173 for physical therapist assistantsin the Chandler 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
Salary data for Chandler is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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