Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Valdosta, GA: $70,339 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Valdosta, GA earns a median $70,339/year (≈ $33.82/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Valdosta's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 88.3), that paycheck buys what $79,685 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% above the Georgia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, those pursuing a career as a physical therapist assistant in Valdosta, Georgia, can expect a median annual salary of $70,339, slightly above the national median of $70,247. This figure reflects a broad salary range, with entry-level positions starting at approximately $29,155, while experienced professionals can earn up to $78,989. This salary outlook is drawn from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data—projected from 2025 figures—and highlights the financial viability of this career in a city that, despite its size, maintains a competitive job market for PTAs, making it an appealing option for individuals looking to bridge out of the PTA role toward a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) pathway.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $29,155 | $14.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,461 | $24.26 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $70,339 | $33.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $75,013 | $36.07 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78,989 | $37.98 |
Median Salary Position
0.13% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Valdosta
In Valdosta, GA, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $49,834 (2026 est.). At $70,339, the local median is 0.13% above the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Valdosta: You'd be in the upper quartile
How Valdosta Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Valdosta median: $70,339/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Valdosta Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Average | $68,092 | +3.30% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | +0.13% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Valdosta, GA earn a median of $70,339 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.13% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 3.30% above the Georgia state average of $68,092.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Valdosta has a cost of living 11.73% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Valdosta, GA has a cost-of-living index of 88.271 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $70,339 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $79,685 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$38,190
2025 BLS Actual
$68,470
2026 Current Est.
$70,339
2019–2027 Growth
+89.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Valdosta (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,190 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,090 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,620 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,150 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,680 | Actual |
| 2024 | $66,040 | Actual |
| 2025 | $68,470 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $70,339 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72,259 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Valdosta metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 79.3% from $38,190 (2019) to $68,470 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $72,259 by 2027 — a total increase of $34,069 (89.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Valdosta 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) | $29,155 – $50,461 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,461 – $70,339 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $70,339 – $75,013 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $75,013 – $78,989 |
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 Valdosta
As of 2026, Valdosta employs around 30 physical therapist assistants, presenting a concentrated job market amid a favorable cost of living index of 88.271. This suggests that residents may experience a higher purchasing power relative to national averages. Outpatient orthopedic clinics generally offer the highest salaries compared to skilled nursing facilities and rehabilitation hospitals; yet, productivity expectations and the recent 15% Medicare cut in reimbursement for PTA services can heavily influence earnings potential. The most advantageous strategy for maximizing pay in Valdosta includes seeking positions in high-demand settings and pursuing additional certifications that expand skill sets. Emphasizing the transition to a DPT as a long-term career goal can also enhance lifetime earnings, further establishing a resilient professional trajectory within the healthcare landscape of Georgia.
More salary data for Valdosta, GA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Valdosta, GA in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Valdosta?
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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 $68,470 for physical therapist assistantsin the Valdosta 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