Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Boston, MA: $82,626 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Boston, MA earns a median $82,626/year (≈ $39.73/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Boston's price level (8% above national, BEA RPP 108.3), that paycheck buys what $76,318 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.9% above the Massachusetts state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, a physical therapist assistant in Boston, Massachusetts, is projected to earn a median annual salary of $82,626, representing a significant 17.62% increase over the national median of $70,247 for this profession. Salary ranges for physical therapist assistants in the area vary widely, with the 10th percentile earning $64,422 and those in the 90th percentile reaching as high as $91,584. This data comes from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys, reflecting the robust demand for these healthcare professionals in Boston's thriving job market. With a strong emphasis on the PTA-to-DPT bridge pathways, those who continue their education and pursue a Doctor of Physical Therapy can substantially increase their lifetime earnings, making education a vital part of career planning for aspiring physical therapist assistants.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $64,422 | $30.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $72,209 | $34.71 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $82,626 | $39.73 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $84,156 | $40.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $91,584 | $44.03 |
Median Salary Position
17.62% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Boston
In Boston, MA, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,162 (2026 est.). At $82,626, the local median is 17.62% above the national median of $70,247.
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How Boston Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Boston median: $82,626/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Boston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $78,766 | +4.90% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | +17.62% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Boston, MA earn a median of $82,626 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.62% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 4.90% above the Massachusetts state average of $78,766.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Boston has a cost of living 8.27% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Boston, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.266 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $82,626 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $76,318 — a 7.63% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$67,340
2025 BLS Actual
$80,430
2026 Current Est.
$82,626
2019–2027 Growth
+26.0%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Boston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $67,340 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,340 | Actual |
| 2021 | $65,440 | Actual |
| 2022 | $72,800 | Actual |
| 2023 | $77,100 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,630 | Actual |
| 2025 | $80,430 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82,626 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84,881 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Boston metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 19.4% from $67,340 (2019) to $80,430 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $84,881 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,541 (26.05%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Boston 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) | $64,422 – $72,209 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $72,209 – $82,626 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $82,626 – $84,156 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $84,156 – $91,584 |
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 Boston
Boston's job market offers a favorable landscape for physical therapist assistants, with approximately 1,860 individuals currently employed in this field. While the median pay is competitive, the city's cost of living index of 108.266 indicates that the take-home purchasing power may be impacted accordingly. Outpatient orthopedic clinics and hospital inpatient rehab facilities tend to have a higher pay scale, while skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) may see lower wages due to the effects of the 15% Medicare cut on PTA-reimbursed services. Factors influencing salary variations include work settings, productivity expectations, and supervision requirements, which often lead to higher compensation in hospital environments compared to outpatient or SNF settings. For those looking to maximize physical therapist assistant pay in Boston, strategies such as pursuing certifications in high-demand areas, negotiating salaries, and seeking employment with larger healthcare systems may offer beneficial pathways.
More salary data for Boston, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $80,430 for physical therapist assistantsin the Boston 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