Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Lafayette, LA: $62,419 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Lafayette, LA earns a median $62,419/year (≈ $30.01/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Lafayette's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 87.2), that paycheck buys what $71,574 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.5% below the Louisiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lafayette, Louisiana, the projected median salary for physical therapist assistants is $62,419 in 2026, reflecting a notable difference from the national median of $70,247. Salary figures here range from as low as $23,710 at the 10th percentile to $86,108 at the 90th percentile, which indicates a significant disparity in compensation based on experience, work setting, and type of practice. These figures, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, illustrate a critical local market condition. Following the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut, many positions in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and outpatient settings have struggled to maintain competitive pay, impacting employment opportunities for physical therapist assistants in the area.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23,710 | $11.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28,764 | $13.83 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,419 | $30.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,298 | $36.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86,108 | $41.40 |
Median Salary Position
11.14% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lafayette
In Lafayette, LA, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $62,398 (2026 est.). At $62,419, the local median is 11.14% below the national median of $70,247.
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At 40 hours/week in Lafayette: You'd be above the median
How Lafayette Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Lafayette median: $62,419/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lafayette Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Average | $66,758 | -6.50% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -11.14% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Lafayette, LA earn a median of $62,419 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.14% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 6.50% below the Louisiana state average of $66,758.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lafayette has a cost of living 12.79% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lafayette, LA has a cost-of-living index of 87.209 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $62,419 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $71,574 in an average-cost city — an effective 14.67% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$33,910
2025 BLS Actual
$60,760
2026 Current Est.
$62,419
2019–2027 Growth
+89.1%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Lafayette (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33,910 | Actual |
| 2020 | $33,450 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,940 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,730 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,120 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,870 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,760 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,419 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,123 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lafayette metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 79.2% from $33,910 (2019) to $60,760 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,123 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,213 (89.10%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lafayette 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) | $23,710 – $28,764 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $28,764 – $62,419 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,419 – $76,298 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,298 – $86,108 |
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 Lafayette
Looking deeper at the local job market, Lafayette employs approximately 180 physical therapist assistants, a figure that highlights the demand for these healthcare professionals. With a cost-of-living index of 87.209, the purchasing power of PTA salaries is relatively favorable compared to national averages. Employers such as outpatient orthopedic clinics tend to offer the highest pay, while skilled nursing facilities lag, impacted by reduced Medicare reimbursements. This disparity reflects various factors including productivity expectations, weekend incentives, and administrative requirements. To maximize their earnings, physical therapist assistants in Lafayette should consider roles in settings that prioritize PT supervision and high patient volumes, while also exploring part-time opportunities that may offer premium pay during off-hours.
More salary data for Lafayette, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Lafayette, LA in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Lafayette?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Lafayette?
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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 $60,760 for physical therapist assistantsin the Lafayette 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