Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Dunwoody, GA: $65,976 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Dunwoody, GA earns a median $65,976/year (≈ $31.72/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Dunwoody's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.1), that paycheck buys what $70,866 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.1% below the Georgia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the physical therapist assistant salary in Dunwoody, Georgia, is projected to reach $65,976 annually, reflecting a notable dynamic in the job market influenced by the shift from skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) to outpatient settings following the 15% Medicare cut in reimbursement rates. With salaries ranging from $46,709 at the 10th percentile to $85,323 at the 90th percentile, these figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost factors, which place Dunwoody’s cost of living index at 93.1—below the national average. The current climate suggests a growing demand for physical therapist assistants, especially in outpatient clinics, where pay tends to be more favorable compared to other settings affected by Medicare policies. As such, professionals entering the field will find diverse opportunities for growth and advancement.
About the Dunwoody Market
Salary estimated from Georgia average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,709 | $22.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56,257 | $27.05 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,976 | $31.72 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $75,582 | $36.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85,323 | $41.02 |
Median Salary Position
6.08% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dunwoody
In Dunwoody, GA, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $38,614 (2026 est.). At $65,976, the local median is 6.08% below the national median of $70,247.
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How Dunwoody Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Dunwoody median: $65,976/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Dunwoody Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Average | $68,087 | -3.10% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -6.08% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Dunwoody, GA earn a median of $65,976 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.08% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 3.10% below the Georgia state average of $68,087.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Dunwoody 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.
Dunwoody, GA has a cost-of-living index of 93.1 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $65,976 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $70,866 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.41% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$55,216
2025 BLS Actual
$64,223
2026 Current Est.
$65,976
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Dunwoody (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,216 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,136 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,461 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,954 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,184 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,735 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,223 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,976 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,777 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Dunwoody metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $55,216 (2019) to $64,223 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,777 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,561 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dunwoody 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) | $46,709 – $56,257 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $56,257 – $65,976 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,976 – $75,582 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $75,582 – $85,323 |
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 Dunwoody
With only ten physical therapist assistants currently employed in Dunwoody, competition may be limited, but so too are the opportunities for maximizing pay in this particular market. The relatively low cost of living enhances take-home purchasing power, benefiting those in outpatient orthopedic clinics, which generally offer higher compensation compared to skilled nursing facilities following the Medicare cuts. Variability in pay often stems from factors like productivity expectations, the setting in which PTAs work, and additional roles required for supervision under state law. Therefore, aspiring PTAs should consider aligning with outpatient providers or seeking additional certifications to expand their skill sets and marketability. Engaging with APTA resources or exploring PTA-to-DPT bridge pathways can also be effective strategies to enhance long-term earning potential within Dunwoody’s healthcare landscape.
More salary data for Dunwoody, GA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Dunwoody?
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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 $64,223 for physical therapist assistantsin the Dunwoody 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 Dunwoody 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