Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Ruston, LA: $64,227 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Ruston, LA earns a median $64,227/year (≈ $30.88/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Ruston's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.3), that paycheck buys what $71,126 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% below the Louisiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the physical therapist assistant salary in Ruston, Louisiana, is projected to reach a median of $64,227, which reflects a slight lag behind the national median of $70,247. Salaries in this profession locally range from $47,743 at the 10th percentile to $79,585 at the 90th percentile, indicating significant variability based on experience and practice setting. The estimates derive from 2025 BLS data and regional cost adjustments, offering insights into how productivity expectations and visit counts per day can impact compensation. Those working in Ruston must consider local job demands and the specific environments they choose, as this will influence their earning potential and overall job satisfaction within the community.
About the Ruston Market
Salary estimated from Louisiana average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,743 | $22.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57,478 | $27.63 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,227 | $30.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72,269 | $34.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79,585 | $38.27 |
Median Salary Position
8.57% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ruston
In Ruston, LA, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $31,842 (2026 est.). At $64,227, the local median is 8.57% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Ruston: You'd be above the median
How Ruston Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Ruston median: $64,227/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ruston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Average | $66,764 | -3.80% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -8.57% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Ruston, LA earn a median of $64,227 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.57% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 3.80% below the Louisiana state average of $66,764.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ruston has a cost of living 9.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Ruston, LA has a cost-of-living index of 90.3 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $64,227 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $71,126 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.74% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,752
2025 BLS Actual
$62,520
2026 Current Est.
$64,227
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Ruston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,752 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,648 | Actual |
| 2021 | $55,937 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,391 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,588 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,837 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,520 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,227 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,980 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ruston metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $53,752 (2019) to $62,520 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,980 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,228 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ruston 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) | $47,743 – $57,478 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $57,478 – $64,227 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,227 – $72,269 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $72,269 – $79,585 |
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 Ruston
Despite having only four physical therapist assistants in the Ruston area, the job market remains competitive. This limited workforce is offset by a cost-of-living index of 90.3, which suggests that residents benefit from lower living expenses compared to national averages. Outpatient orthopedic clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and home health agencies are among the top employers in the region, with outpatient settings generally offering higher pay. The pay range is influenced by factors such as productivity expectations, weekend shifts, and supervision requirements, especially in light of the Medicare 15% cut affecting PTA compensation in certain facilities. To maximize earning potential, aspiring PTAs are encouraged to explore various clinical settings, consider adding specializations that might increase demand, and negotiate pay based on experience and skill level, while also keeping abreast of any legislative changes impacting reimbursement rates within Ruston, LA.
More salary data for Ruston, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Ruston?
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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 $62,520 for physical therapist assistantsin the Ruston 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 Ruston 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