Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Newton, MA: $81,961 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Newton, MA earns a median $81,961/year (≈ $39.41/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Newton's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $75,540 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.1% above the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the physical therapist assistant salary in Newton, Massachusetts, is projected to reach a median of $81,961, notably exceeding the national median of $70,247 by 16.68%. This market has seen shifts due to the post-Medicare cuts landscape, wherein settings such as skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) have felt a significant impact. The salary range for this role in Newton spans from $59,757 at the 10th percentile to $108,160 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a diverse market influenced by the type of employer and service setting. Local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and regional adjustments indicate that while outpatient orthopedic facilities may lead in compensation, pressures from recent changes in reimbursement practices are reshaping overall pay structures across the sector.
About the Newton Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $59,757 | $28.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $71,186 | $34.22 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $81,961 | $39.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $95,192 | $45.77 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $108,160 | $52.00 |
Median Salary Position
16.68% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Newton
In Newton, MA, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $48,403 (2026 est.). At $81,961, the local median is 16.68% above the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Newton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Newton Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Newton median: $81,961/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Newton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $78,733 | +4.10% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | +16.68% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Newton, MA earn a median of $81,961 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.68% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 4.10% above the Massachusetts state average of $78,733.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Newton has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Newton, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $81,961 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $75,540 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$68,594
2025 BLS Actual
$79,783
2026 Current Est.
$81,961
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Newton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $68,594 | Actual |
| 2020 | $69,737 | Actual |
| 2021 | $71,382 | Actual |
| 2022 | $73,237 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,766 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,717 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,783 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,961 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84,199 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Newton metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $68,594 (2019) to $79,783 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $84,199 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,605 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Newton 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) | $59,757 – $71,186 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $71,186 – $81,961 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $81,961 – $95,192 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $95,192 – $108,160 |
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 Newton
Currently, there are only 16 physical therapist assistants employed in Newton, a number reflective of the small yet focused local job market. The cost of living index in Newton stands at 108.5, suggesting that while salaries are competitive, the take-home purchasing power is somewhat moderated. Positions in outpatient orthopedic clinics typically pay the highest, as they are less impacted by the Medicare 15% cut affecting SNF and home health settings. The variance in pay ranges can also be attributed to productivity expectations, supervision requirements, and the differences in workload associated with various environments. For PTAs looking to maximize earnings in Newton, targeting reputable outpatient practices and negotiating for weekend shifts or multi-setting roles can be strategic steps, particularly as demands for therapy services continue to rise amid an overall growth rate of 2.73% in the field.
More salary data for Newton, 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 $79,783 for physical therapist assistantsin the Newton 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 Newton 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