Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Cartersville, GA: $64,857 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Cartersville, GA earns a median $64,857/year (≈ $31.18/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Cartersville's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.1), that paycheck buys what $69,664 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.7% below the Georgia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Cartersville, Georgia, the 2026 median annual salary for a physical therapist assistant is projected to be $64,857, which indicates a slight dip compared to the national median of $70,247. Salary projections in this area range from $47,143 at the 10th percentile to as high as $76,960 at the 90th percentile, based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data. This data reflects local economic factors and the cost of living, which in Cartersville has a lower index at 93.1 compared to the national average, implying that while salaries may be on the lower end, purchasing power is somewhat preserved in this market. This nuanced understanding is key for job seekers considering positions in Cartersville’s healthcare facilities, particularly as productivity expectations are crucial for maximizing compensation.
About the Cartersville Market
Salary estimated from Georgia average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,143 | $22.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57,265 | $27.53 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,857 | $31.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70,870 | $34.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $76,960 | $37.00 |
Median Salary Position
7.67% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cartersville
In Cartersville, GA, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $29,817 (2026 est.). At $64,857, the local median is 7.67% below the national median of $70,247.
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At 40 hours/week in Cartersville: You'd be above the median
How Cartersville Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Cartersville median: $64,857/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cartersville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Average | $68,055 | -4.70% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -7.67% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Cartersville, GA earn a median of $64,857 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.67% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 4.70% below the Georgia state average of $68,055.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cartersville has a cost of living 6.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cartersville, GA has a cost-of-living index of 93.1 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $64,857 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,664 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.41% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$54,279
2025 BLS Actual
$63,133
2026 Current Est.
$64,857
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Cartersville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,279 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,184 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,485 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,953 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,163 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,755 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,133 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,857 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,627 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cartersville metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $54,279 (2019) to $63,133 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,627 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,348 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cartersville 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) | $47,143 – $57,265 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $57,265 – $64,857 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,857 – $70,870 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $70,870 – $76,960 |
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 Cartersville
While only four physical therapist assistants are employed locally, the market dynamics present opportunities for interested PTAs. In Cartersville, outpatient orthopedic clinics and skilled nursing facilities tend to offer competitive pay, especially when factoring in productivity bonuses and additional compensation for weekend shifts. The pressure on salaries due to the reduction in Medicare reimbursements, which were cut by 15% for services provided by PTAs, has led to a more pronounced disparity in earnings across settings. Those working in higher-acuity environments like hospitals generally see better compensation due to the complex demands and higher supervision requirements. To best position themselves for success, PTAs in Cartersville can consider gaining further qualifications or specializations, which may lead to higher-paying roles and greater job security in a fluctuating market. Utilizing PTA-to-DPT bridge pathways can also enhance earning potential in the long run.
More salary data for Cartersville, GA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Cartersville, GA in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Cartersville?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Cartersville?
How much does a physical therapist assistant make per hour in Cartersville?
Related Pages
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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 $63,133 for physical therapist assistantsin the Cartersville 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 Cartersville 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