Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Ballwin, MO: $60,585 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Ballwin, MO earns a median $60,585/year (≈ $29.12/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Ballwin's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.6), that paycheck buys what $67,617 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.2% below the Missouri state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the physical therapist assistant salary in Ballwin, Missouri, is projected to be $60,585 annually, which sits notably lower than the national average of $70,247. The local salary range extends from $43,323 at the 10th percentile to $77,092 at the 90th percentile, indicating a significant variance in earnings. These figures are derived from state-level estimates and adjusted for regional cost of living. The recent structural shifts in the job market—especially following the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut affecting outpatient services—have contributed to this disparity, particularly affecting physical therapist assistant pay in Ballwin MO and potentially stifling salary growth in skilled nursing facilities.
About the Ballwin Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,323 | $20.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,138 | $25.55 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,585 | $29.12 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69,021 | $33.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77,092 | $37.06 |
Median Salary Position
13.75% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ballwin
In Ballwin, MO, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,769 (2026 est.). At $60,585, the local median is 13.75% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Ballwin: You'd be above the median
How Ballwin Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Ballwin median: $60,585/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ballwin Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $63,241 | -4.20% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -13.75% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Ballwin, MO earn a median of $60,585 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.75% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 4.20% below the Missouri state average of $63,241.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ballwin has a cost of living 10.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Ballwin, MO has a cost-of-living index of 89.6 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $60,585 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $67,617 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.61% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$50,704
2025 BLS Actual
$58,975
2026 Current Est.
$60,585
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Ballwin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,704 | Actual |
| 2020 | $51,549 | Actual |
| 2021 | $52,765 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,137 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,266 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,524 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,975 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,585 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,239 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ballwin metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $50,704 (2019) to $58,975 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,239 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,535 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ballwin 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) | $43,323 – $53,138 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,138 – $60,585 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,585 – $69,021 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $69,021 – $77,092 |
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 Ballwin
Currently, there are only four physical therapist assistants employed in Ballwin, suggesting a tightly knit job market that may not experience rapid expansion, especially given the cost of living index at 89.6. This index indicates that local purchasing power is below the national average, impacting how far the salary will stretch. Outpatient orthopedic clinics typically offer the highest compensation, as opposed to skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies where pay may be compressed due to productivity expectations and the lingering effects of Medicare cuts. Maximizing pay in Ballwin requires prospective PTAs to consider working in more lucrative settings like outpatient rehab and diversifying skills in high-demand areas. Capitalizing on opportunities in pediatric clinics and school therapy could also prove profitable, as these settings often provide enhanced pay structures for physical therapist assistants.
More salary data for Ballwin, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Ballwin, MO in 2026?
Is Ballwin, MO a good place to work as a physical therapist assistant?
Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Ballwin?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Ballwin?
How much does a physical therapist assistant make per hour in Ballwin?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Missouri
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 $58,975 for physical therapist assistantsin the Ballwin 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 Ballwin 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