PT Assistant Salary

Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Flagstaff, AZ: $75,722 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Flagstaff, AZ earns a median $75,722/year (≈ $36.41/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Flagstaff's price level (0% above national, BEA RPP 100.3), that paycheck buys what $75,477 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 13.5% above the Arizona state average.

$75,722
Median Annual Salary
$36.41/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$35,801
Entry Level (P10)
$80,417
Top Earners (P90)

Official BLS data · View source

Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Flagstaff, AZ — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Flagstaff, AZ physical therapist assistant salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In 2026, the physical therapist assistant salary in Flagstaff reaches a median annual figure of $75,722, outperforming the national median of $70,247 by 7.79%. The full salary range for this role spans from a lower percentile of $35,801 to a high-end pay of $80,417, as derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data projected for 2026. Such figures reflect the productivity expectations in the field, where the number of patient visits per day plays a significant role in compensation. Those working in outpatient settings typically have more opportunities to maximize their workloads, influencing overall earnings in ways that align with the local job market demand.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$35,801$17.22
Lower Range (P25)$61,309$29.47
Median (P50)(typical)$75,722$36.41
Upper Range (P75)$80,109$38.51
Top Earners (P90)$80,417$38.66

Median Salary Position

$35,801$80,417
City Median: $75,722
National: $70,247
P10–P90 Range

7.79% above the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Flagstaff

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for physical therapist assistants in Flagstaff. The median salary is $75,722, compared to the national median of $70,247.$32.2K$45.3K$58.3K$71.4K$84.4K$35.8K10th Pctl$61.3K25th Pctl$75.7KMedian$80.1K75th Pctl$80.4K90th PctlUS Median$70.2K

In Flagstaff, AZ, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $44,616 (2026 est.). At $75,722, the local median is 7.79% above the national median of $70,247.

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

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$1,456
per week
$6,311
per month
$75,728
per year

At 40 hours/week in Flagstaff: You'd be in the upper quartile

How Flagstaff Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares

Flagstaff median: $75,722/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryFlagstaff Pays
Arizona Average$66,716+13.50% more
National Average$70,247+7.79% more
Horizontal bar chart comparing physical therapist assistant median salary in Flagstaff ($75,722) with Arizona average ($66,716) and the US national median ($70,247).Flagstaff$75,722Arizona Avg$66,716+13.50%US National$70,247+7.79%

Physical Therapist Assistants in Flagstaff, AZ earn a median of $75,722 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.79% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 13.50% above the Arizona state average of $66,716.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$75,722
Nominal Salary
100.325
CoL Index
$75,477
Adjusted Salary

Flagstaff has a cost of living 0.33% above the national average.

Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.

The nominal salary is $75,722. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 100.325, the purchasing-power equivalent is $75,477, a loss of $245.$59.7K$66.6K$73.4K$80.2K$87.1K$75,722NominalSalary$75,477CoL Adjusted(CoL: 100.325) -0.32%US Median $70.2K

Flagstaff, AZ has a cost-of-living index of 100.325 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $75,722 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $75,477 — a 0.32% reduction.

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2019 BLS Actual

$63,372

2025 BLS Actual

$73,710

2026 Current Est.

$75,722

2019–2027 Growth

+22.8%

Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Flagstaff (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 Flagstaff. Baseline $63,372 in 2025, projected to $77,790 by 2027.$57.9K$63.7K$69.5K$75.3K$81.1K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$63.4K$64.4K$62.5K$61.2K$66.5K$69.2K$73.7K$75.7K$77.8K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$63,372Actual
2020$64,429Actual
2021$62,510Actual
2022$61,220Actual
2023$66,490Actual
2024$69,230Actual
2025$73,710Actual
2026(current)$75,722Estimated
2027$77,790Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Flagstaff metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $63,372 (2019) to $73,710 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $77,790 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,418 (22.75%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Flagstaff 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.

Salary by Experience Level

ExperienceEstimated Salary Range
0-2 years (New Graduate)$35,801$61,309
3-5 years (Mid Career)$61,309$75,722
5+ years (Experienced)$75,722$80,109
10+ years (Top Earner)$80,109$80,417

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 Flagstaff

Looking at the local job market, Flagstaff employs 40 physical therapist assistants, a modest number that suggests a competitive environment. With a cost-of-living index of 100.325, slightly above the national average, take-home purchasing power can vary greatly based on the setting of employment. Outpatient orthopedic clinics, home health agencies, and hospital inpatient rehab facilities typically offer the highest salaries among local employers. The pay disparities between positions stem from various factors, including productivity expectations, supervisory requirements, and the lingering effects of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut on certain settings like skilled nursing facilities. For aspiring PTAs looking to enhance their earnings, working in high-demand areas and gaining experience in settings that emphasize productivity may offer the best chances to boost compensation within the Flagstaff market.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do physical therapist assistants make in Flagstaff, AZ in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median physical therapist assistant salary in Flagstaff is $75,722/year ($36.41/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 2.73% annual growth). Salaries range from $35,801 at entry level (10th percentile) to $80,417 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Flagstaff at 7.8% above the national median. Full-time physical therapist assistants typically work 2,080 hours per year, though many positions offer part-time schedules with flexible hours across multiple practices.

Is Flagstaff, AZ a good place to work as a physical therapist assistant?

Flagstaff physical therapist assistant salaries are 7.8% above the national average and 13.5% above the Arizona state average. The metro area employs approximately 40 physical therapist assistants. With a cost-of-living index of 100.325, you should factor in higher living costs when evaluating compensation. Job availability depends on population density, the number of practices, and retirement turnover in the area.

Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Flagstaff?

The median physical therapist assistant salary in Flagstaff is $75,722, and the 90th percentile earns $80,417. Reaching $100K in this market typically requires a combination of advanced certifications, working at multiple practices, or transitioning into education or consulting roles.

What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Flagstaff?

After adjusting for Flagstaff's cost-of-living index of 100.325 (where 100 equals the national average), the $75,722 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $75,477 in an average-cost city. This means living costs in Flagstaff reduce the effective value of your salary by 0.3% compared to the national average — consider negotiating higher base pay or exploring nearby lower-cost metros.

How much does a physical therapist assistant make per hour in Flagstaff?

Physical Therapist Assistants in Flagstaff earn a median hourly rate of $36.41, which translates to approximately $75,722/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $17.22 for entry-level positions to $38.66 for the most experienced practitioners. Part-time and per diem physical therapist assistants sometimes command premium hourly rates because practices need flexible scheduling coverage.

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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

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 $73,710 for physical therapist assistantsin the Flagstaff 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, 5-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

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