Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Salem, NH: $73,556 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Salem, NH earns a median $73,556/year (≈ $35.36/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Salem's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.3), that paycheck buys what $68,552 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.4% below the New Hampshire state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physical therapist assistants in Salem, New Hampshire, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $73,556, surpassing the national median of $70,247 by 4.71%. Local salaries range from $50,851 at the 10th percentile to $91,450 at the 90th percentile, representing significant earning potential depending on experience and work setting. The employment landscape for PTAs has shifted due to post-Medicare cuts, impacting earnings in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) more than outpatient settings. These estimates derive from 2025 BLS data and account for regional cost adjustments, suggesting that the job market in Salem remains competitive, although largely influenced by funding challenges that have reshaped reimbursement in the physical therapy field.
About the Salem Market
Salary estimated from New Hampshire average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,851 | $24.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63,295 | $30.43 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $73,556 | $35.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82,658 | $39.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $91,450 | $43.97 |
Median Salary Position
4.71% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Salem
In Salem, NH, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $40,599 (2026 est.). At $73,556, the local median is 4.71% above the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Salem: You'd be above the median
How Salem Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Salem median: $73,556/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Salem Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire Average | $75,364 | -2.40% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | +4.71% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Salem, NH earn a median of $73,556 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.71% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 2.40% below the New Hampshire state average of $75,364.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Salem has a cost of living 7.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Salem, NH has a cost-of-living index of 107.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $73,556 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $68,552 — a 6.8% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$61,559
2025 BLS Actual
$71,601
2026 Current Est.
$73,556
2019–2027 Growth
+22.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Salem (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,559 | Actual |
| 2020 | $62,585 | Actual |
| 2021 | $64,062 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,727 | Actual |
| 2023 | $67,098 | Actual |
| 2024 | $71,203 | Actual |
| 2025 | $71,601 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $73,556 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $75,564 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Salem metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $61,559 (2019) to $71,601 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $75,564 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,005 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Salem 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) | $50,851 – $63,295 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $63,295 – $73,556 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $73,556 – $82,658 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $82,658 – $91,450 |
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 Salem
Currently, only eight physical therapist assistants are employed in Salem, an indication of a relatively small but crucial workforce. With a cost-of-living index of 107.3, the purchasing power for these salaries may be somewhat squeezed; prospective PTAs should consider this when evaluating offers. Outpatient orthopedic clinics tend to provide the highest salaries, while settings like skilled nursing facilities may lag behind due to persistent economic pressures, including the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut effective in 2022. To enhance their pay, physical therapist assistants in Salem might focus on maximizing opportunities in outpatient settings, seek weekend or PRN positions, and pursue further education, particularly bridge pathways to DPT, which can open doors to advanced roles and potentially higher compensation.
More salary data for Salem, NH:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Salem, NH in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Salem?
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Related Pages
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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 $71,601 for physical therapist assistantsin the Salem 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 Salem 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