Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Alexandria, LA: $64,237 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Alexandria, LA earns a median $64,237/year (≈ $30.88/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Alexandria's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.7), that paycheck buys what $74,968 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% below the Louisiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, physical therapist assistants in Alexandria, Louisiana can expect a median annual salary of $64,237, which falls short of the national median of $70,247 by approximately 8.56%. The projected salary range for this role varies significantly, spanning from $27,439 at the lower end (P10) to $85,471 at the upper end (P90). These figures, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, highlight the potential disparities in earnings based on experience, setting, and job responsibilities. As more individuals pursue the PTA-to-DPT bridge, the added qualifications can significantly enhance lifetime earnings, making advanced education a valuable consideration for those looking to increase their earning potential in Alexandria’s job market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $27,439 | $13.19 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32,052 | $15.41 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,237 | $30.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,006 | $37.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85,471 | $41.09 |
Median Salary Position
8.56% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Alexandria
In Alexandria, LA, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $58,032 (2026 est.). At $64,237, the local median is 8.56% below the national median of $70,247.
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How Alexandria Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Alexandria median: $64,237/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Alexandria Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Average | $66,775 | -3.80% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -8.56% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Alexandria, LA earn a median of $64,237 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.56% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 3.80% below the Louisiana state average of $66,775.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Alexandria has a cost of living 14.31% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Alexandria, LA has a cost-of-living index of 85.686 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $64,237 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $74,968 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.71% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,760
2025 BLS Actual
$62,530
2026 Current Est.
$64,237
2019–2027 Growth
+22.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Alexandria (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,760 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,657 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,880 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,830 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,720 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,640 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,530 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,237 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,991 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Alexandria metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $53,760 (2019) to $62,530 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,991 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,231 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Alexandria 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) | $27,439 – $32,052 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $32,052 – $64,237 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,237 – $77,006 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,006 – $85,471 |
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 Alexandria
Looking at the local employment landscape, there are currently 50 physical therapist assistants working in Alexandria, which reflects a modest but consistent demand. The cost of living index for the area is 85.686, indicating that overall expenses are below the national average, which can improve the purchasing power for those in this profession. In Alexandria, outpatient orthopedic clinics typically offer the most competitive salaries, often exceeding pay rates from other settings like skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies. The disparity in salaries can be attributed to factors such as the environment in which therapists work, productivity expectations, and the implications of the 15% Medicare cut affecting reimbursement rates in heavily Medicare-reliant settings. To maximize earning potential in this market, aspiring PTAs should focus on skills that are in high demand, seek out outpatient opportunities, and consider furthering their education to position themselves favorably in a competitive field.
More salary data for Alexandria, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Alexandria, LA in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Alexandria?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Alexandria?
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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 $62,530 for physical therapist assistantsin the Alexandria 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, 5-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