Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Boulder, CO: $60,868 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Boulder, CO earns a median $60,868/year (≈ $29.27/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Boulder's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.2), that paycheck buys what $57,858 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 9.0% below the Colorado state average.
Official BLS data · View source
For 2026, the physical therapist assistant salary in Boulder is projected at $60,868 annually, a figure that falls below the national median of $70,247. With a salary range from $31,641 at the lower end (P10) to $82,061 at the higher end (P90), this position offers a varied income potential as PTAs advance in their careers or pursue additional qualifications, such as transitioning from a PTA to a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT). This upward mobility often translates into significantly higher lifetime earnings, making the bridging pathway an attractive option for many in Boulder. Data derived from official BLS OEWS surveys indicates a growing demand for PTAs in this area, which may further influence compensation standards as the labor market evolves.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31,641 | $15.21 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,369 | $24.21 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,868 | $29.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78,917 | $37.94 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82,061 | $39.46 |
Median Salary Position
13.35% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Boulder
In Boulder, CO, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,420 (2026 est.). At $60,868, the local median is 13.35% below the national median of $70,247.
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How Boulder Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Boulder median: $60,868/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Boulder Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $66,887 | -9.00% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -13.35% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Boulder, CO earn a median of $60,868 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.35% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 9.00% below the Colorado state average of $66,887.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Boulder has a cost of living 5.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Boulder, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105.202 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $60,868 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $57,858 — a 4.95% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$51,250
2025 BLS Actual
$59,250
2026 Current Est.
$60,868
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Boulder (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,250 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,350 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,590 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,320 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,520 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,690 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,250 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,868 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,529 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Boulder metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 15.6% from $51,250 (2019) to $59,250 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,529 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,279 (22.01%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Boulder 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) | $31,641 – $50,369 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,369 – $60,868 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,868 – $78,917 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $78,917 – $82,061 |
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 Boulder
In Boulder, approximately 100 physical therapist assistants are employed, reflecting a stable job market for this profession. However, the cost of living index stands at 105.202, which surpasses the national average, impacting the effective purchasing power of these salaries. Outpatient orthopedic clinics and hospital inpatient rehabilitation settings typically offer the highest pay among local employers, while skilled nursing facilities may face salary compression due to the ongoing 15% Medicare cut affecting reimbursement for services provided by PTAs. Factors such as productivity expectations, supervision requirements, and the payment structure in different settings contribute to the disparity in wages. To maximize physical therapist assistant pay in Boulder, individuals should seek employment in higher-paying settings like outpatient or hospital-based roles and consider furthering their education through the PTA-to-DPT bridge programs offered by CAPTE-accredited institutions.
More salary data for Boulder, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Boulder, CO in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Boulder?
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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 $59,250 for physical therapist assistantsin the Boulder 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