Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Bridgewater, NJ: $79,693 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Bridgewater, NJ earns a median $79,693/year (≈ $38.32/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Bridgewater's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $69,178 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median salary of $79,693 in 2026, physical therapist assistants in Bridgewater, NJ, are positioned competitively when compared to the national median of $70,247—this represents a notable advantage of approximately 13.45%. Local salaries range from $56,052 at the lower end to $97,880 for those at the higher percentiles. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted to account for regional cost factors, such as Bridgewater's cost of living index of 115.2, which reflects a slightly elevated economic environment. As a result, physical therapist assistants can expect their compensation to be influenced by factors like patient volume, visit efficiency, and the specific demands of their working environment.
About the Bridgewater Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($76,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $56,052 | $26.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $69,455 | $33.39 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $79,693 | $38.32 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $88,642 | $42.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $97,880 | $47.06 |
Median Salary Position
13.45% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bridgewater
In Bridgewater, NJ, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $41,828 (2026 est.). At $79,693, the local median is 13.45% above the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bridgewater: You'd be above the median
How Bridgewater Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Bridgewater median: $79,693/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bridgewater Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $80,906 | -1.50% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | +13.45% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Bridgewater, NJ earn a median of $79,693 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.45% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 1.50% below the New Jersey state average of $80,906.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bridgewater has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bridgewater, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $79,693 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $69,178 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$66,695
2025 BLS Actual
$77,575
2026 Current Est.
$79,693
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Bridgewater (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66,695 | Actual |
| 2020 | $67,807 | Actual |
| 2021 | $69,407 | Actual |
| 2022 | $71,211 | Actual |
| 2023 | $72,697 | Actual |
| 2024 | $86,220 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,575 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,693 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,868 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bridgewater metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $66,695 (2019) to $77,575 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $81,868 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,173 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bridgewater 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) | $56,052 – $69,455 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $69,455 – $79,693 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $79,693 – $88,642 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $88,642 – $97,880 |
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 Bridgewater
In Bridgewater, the job market for physical therapist assistants is supported by a small workforce of just 10 employed professionals. The relatively high cost of living impacts take-home pay, making it crucial for PTAs to consider employer types when seeking out positions. Outpatient orthopedic clinics typically offer higher pay compared to skilled nursing facilities, which have felt the pressure from the 15% cut in Medicare reimbursement for PTA services. Factors contributing to the pay spectrum include the setting's patient care demands, with hospitals generally offering better compensation than outpatient and skilled nursing facilities. PTAs looking to maximize their earnings should focus on high-volume outpatient or specialty clinics and be flexible in scheduling, as weekend or PRN work may offer additional pay incentives. Considering the projected annual growth rate of 2.73%, securing a position in Bridgewater as a physical therapist assistant could be advantageous in the coming years.
More salary data for Bridgewater, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Bridgewater, NJ in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Bridgewater?
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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 $77,575 for physical therapist assistantsin the Bridgewater 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 Bridgewater 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