Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Waltham, MA: $76,614 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Waltham, MA earns a median $76,614/year (≈ $36.83/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Waltham's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $70,612 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.7% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Waltham, Massachusetts, physical therapist assistants can anticipate a median annual salary of $76,614 in 2026, positioning them approximately 9.06% higher than the national median of $70,247. The local salary range spans from $54,750 at the 10th percentile to $99,718 at the 90th percentile, reflecting both entry-level and experienced positions. This data, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, illustrates the competitive nature of PTA salaries in Waltham. Factors such as productivity expectations and the number of patient visits per day significantly impact overall compensation, making it essential for PTAs to excel in clinical efficiency to maximize earnings in this robust job market.
About the Waltham Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54,750 | $26.32 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $67,388 | $32.40 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $76,614 | $36.83 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $89,827 | $43.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $99,718 | $47.94 |
Median Salary Position
9.06% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Waltham
In Waltham, MA, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $44,968 (2026 est.). At $76,614, the local median is 9.06% above the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Waltham: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Waltham Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Waltham median: $76,614/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Waltham Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $78,740 | -2.70% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | +9.06% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Waltham, MA earn a median of $76,614 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.06% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 2.70% below the Massachusetts state average of $78,740.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Waltham has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Waltham, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $76,614 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $70,612 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$64,119
2025 BLS Actual
$74,578
2026 Current Est.
$76,614
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Waltham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,119 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,188 | Actual |
| 2021 | $66,725 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,460 | Actual |
| 2023 | $69,888 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,018 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,578 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,614 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78,706 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Waltham metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $64,119 (2019) to $74,578 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $78,706 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,587 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waltham 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) | $54,750 – $67,388 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $67,388 – $76,614 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $76,614 – $89,827 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $89,827 – $99,718 |
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 Waltham
As of 2026, there are 11 physical therapist assistants working in Waltham, highlighting a selective local job market. The cost of living index in this city stands at 108.5, indicating that residents face a slightly higher cost compared to the national average. This factor plays a critical role in determining take-home pay and purchasing power. Outpatient orthopedic clinics typically offer the most competitive salaries, with pay being influenced by productivity metrics and specific setting requirements. In settings like skilled nursing facilities, the impact of the 15% Medicare cut on reimbursements continues to compress wages. To optimize their earnings, PTAs in Waltham can focus on improving patient outcomes and consider PT-to-DPT bridge programs for potential advancement in their careers.
More salary data for Waltham, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Waltham, MA in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Waltham?
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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 $74,578 for physical therapist assistantsin the Waltham 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 Waltham 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