Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Kalispell, MT: $64,527 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Kalispell, MT earns a median $64,527/year (≈ $31.02/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Kalispell's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.2), that paycheck buys what $67,076 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.5% below the Montana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected annual salary for physical therapist assistants in Kalispell, Montana, is estimated at $64,527. This figure places local earnings slightly below the national median of $70,247, reflecting a 8.14% disparity. The salary range for this role spans from $46,894 at the 10th percentile to $76,870 at the 90th percentile, illustrating the variability based on experience, setting, and productivity expectations. Local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data suggest that physical therapist assistants in Kalispell can thrive in an area where effective management of daily visits becomes pivotal in sustaining compensation levels. Given the area's unique healthcare needs and patient demographics, career prospects for PTAs remain promising.
About the Kalispell Market
Salary estimated from Montana average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,894 | $22.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57,171 | $27.49 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,527 | $31.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70,697 | $33.99 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $76,870 | $36.95 |
Median Salary Position
8.14% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kalispell
In Kalispell, MT, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $29,976 (2026 est.). At $64,527, the local median is 8.14% below the national median of $70,247.
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At 40 hours/week in Kalispell: You'd be above the median
How Kalispell Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Kalispell median: $64,527/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kalispell Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Montana Average | $67,567 | -4.50% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -8.14% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Kalispell, MT earn a median of $64,527 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.14% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 4.50% below the Montana state average of $67,567.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kalispell has a cost of living 3.80% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kalispell, MT has a cost-of-living index of 96.2 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $64,527 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $67,076 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.95% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$54,003
2025 BLS Actual
$62,812
2026 Current Est.
$64,527
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Kalispell (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,003 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,903 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,198 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,659 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,862 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,951 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,812 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,527 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,288 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kalispell metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $54,003 (2019) to $62,812 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,288 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,285 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kalispell 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) | $46,894 – $57,171 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $57,171 – $64,527 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,527 – $70,697 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $70,697 – $76,870 |
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 Kalispell
The job market for physical therapist assistants in Kalispell MT is relatively small, with only four local professionals currently employed. The cost of living in the region, indexed at 96.2, provides a slightly lower economic burden compared to the national average, thereby enhancing take-home pay potential. Among local employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics typically offer the highest compensation, followed by skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehab units. The wide pay range is influenced by several factors, including setting preferences, productivity demands, and supervision responsibilities. Additionally, the recent Medicare 15% pay cut impacts PTAs in outpatient and skilled nursing facility settings, placing pressure on earnings. Those seeking to maximize their physical therapist assistant pay in Kalispell should focus on gaining experience in high-demand areas, pursuing continuing education through APTA resources, and considering PTA-to-DPT bridge pathways to elevate their careers further.
More salary data for Kalispell, MT:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Kalispell, MT in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Kalispell?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Kalispell?
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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 $62,812 for physical therapist assistantsin the Kalispell 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 Kalispell 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