Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Columbus, GA: $64,114 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Columbus, GA earns a median $64,114/year (≈ $30.83/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Columbus's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.3), that paycheck buys what $71,799 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.8% below the Georgia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Columbus, GA, the physical therapist assistant salary is projected to reach a median of $64,114 in 2026. This figure reflects a salary range that extends from $29,545 at the 10th percentile to $84,187 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse pay scale influenced by various factors such as experience and job setting. According to projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, physical therapy assistants in Columbus earn about 8.73% less than the national median of $70,247 for the same year. With the role expected to grow at an annual rate of 2.73%, the demand for skilled professionals in this field is on the rise, making this an opportune time to pursue a career as a physical therapist assistant in the thriving Columbus market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $29,545 | $14.21 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,721 | $23.91 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,114 | $30.83 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79,287 | $38.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $84,187 | $40.48 |
Median Salary Position
8.73% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Columbus
In Columbus, GA, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $54,642 (2026 est.). At $64,114, the local median is 8.73% below the national median of $70,247.
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How Columbus Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Columbus median: $64,114/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Columbus Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Average | $68,061 | -5.80% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -8.73% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Columbus, GA earn a median of $64,114 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.73% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 5.80% below the Georgia state average of $68,061.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Columbus has a cost of living 10.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Columbus, GA has a cost-of-living index of 89.296 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $64,114 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $71,799 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$57,570
2025 BLS Actual
$62,410
2026 Current Est.
$64,114
2019–2027 Growth
+14.4%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Columbus (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,570 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,380 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,420 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,700 | Actual |
| 2023 | $66,350 | Actual |
| 2024 | $69,310 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,410 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,114 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,864 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Columbus metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 8.4% from $57,570 (2019) to $62,410 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,864 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,294 (14.41%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Columbus 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) | $29,545 – $49,721 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,721 – $64,114 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,114 – $79,287 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $79,287 – $84,187 |
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 Columbus
There are currently around 100 physical therapist assistants employed in Columbus, contributing to a competitive job market that is bolstered by the city's favorable cost of living index of 89.296. This lower index enhances take-home purchasing power relative to other regions, allowing PTAs to achieve a more satisfying lifestyle despite the lower salary compared to national standards. Among employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics generally offer the most competitive pay, followed closely by skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies. The pay disparity stems from various elements, including productivity expectations and different reimbursement dynamics—weekend shifts or PRN availability often come with a premium. To maximize earnings, PTAs should seek employment in settings that have higher reimbursement rates and be responsive to opportunities for supervision and management roles, as greater responsibility often translates into higher compensation in Columbus's dynamic healthcare market.
More salary data for Columbus, GA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Columbus, GA in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Columbus?
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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 $62,410 for physical therapist assistantsin the Columbus 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