Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Athens, GA: $67,709 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Athens, GA earns a median $67,709/year (≈ $32.56/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Athens's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.3), that paycheck buys what $72,538 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the Georgia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for physical therapist assistants in Athens, Georgia, stands at $67,709, reflecting a moderate adjustment compared to national averages. The salary range spans from $43,578 at the 10th percentile to $92,704 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse salary landscape influenced by the outpatient vs. skilled nursing facility (SNF) divide. This shift comes in the wake of the 15% Medicare cut, which has compressed pay in settings heavily dependent on Medicare reimbursement. The figures here are derived from official 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and highlight a competitive local market for PTAs in Athens, particularly as demand persists in outpatient and rehabilitation environments.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,578 | $20.96 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58,145 | $27.95 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $67,709 | $32.56 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81,198 | $39.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $92,704 | $44.57 |
Median Salary Position
3.61% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Athens
In Athens, GA, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $49,126 (2026 est.). At $67,709, the local median is 3.61% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Athens: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Athens Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Athens median: $67,709/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Athens Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Average | $68,118 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -3.61% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Athens, GA earn a median of $67,709 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.61% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 0.60% below the Georgia state average of $68,118.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Athens has a cost of living 6.66% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Athens, GA has a cost-of-living index of 93.343 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $67,709 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $72,538 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.13% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$62,160
2025 BLS Actual
$65,910
2026 Current Est.
$67,709
2019–2027 Growth
+11.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Athens (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,160 | Actual |
| 2020 | $62,760 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,600 | Actual |
| 2022 | $78,520 | Actual |
| 2023 | $81,100 | Actual |
| 2024 | $66,650 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,910 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,709 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,558 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Athens metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 6.0% from $62,160 (2019) to $65,910 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,558 by 2027 — a total increase of $7,398 (11.90%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Athens 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) | $43,578 – $58,145 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $58,145 – $67,709 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $67,709 – $81,198 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $81,198 – $92,704 |
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 Athens
A total of 70 physical therapist assistants are currently employed in Athens, creating a robust job market that supports various specialties. With a cost-of-living index of 93.343, the purchasing power for PTAs reflects a favorable financial environment, driving attention to the most lucrative employers in the area—such as outpatient orthopedic clinics, home health agencies, and inpatient rehabilitation facilities. The disparity in compensation can largely be traced to several factors: setting type, productivity expectations, and the implications of the Medicare cuts that have particularly affected SNF and outpatient pay. Maximizing earnings in this market involves targeting employment with higher-paying outpatient clinics while considering PRN shifts to take advantage of weekend premiums. Additionally, PTAs may consider pursuing clinical specialties or bridging pathways to DPT programs to further enhance their earning potential in Athens, GA.
More salary data for Athens, GA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Athens, GA in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Athens?
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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 $65,910 for physical therapist assistantsin the Athens 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