Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Kearny, NJ: $78,286 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Kearny, NJ earns a median $78,286/year (≈ $37.64/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Kearny's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $67,957 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Kearny, NJ, physical therapist assistants are projected to earn a median annual salary of $78,286 in 2026, reflecting a competitive advantage over the national median of $70,247. The local salary range spans from $59,453 at the 10th percentile to $100,782 at the 90th percentile, highlighting a robust earning potential for those in the field. These figures are estimated based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional economic conditions. For physical therapist assistants considering their career trajectory, bridging from a PTA to a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) can significantly enhance lifetime earning potential, especially within the context of evolving healthcare needs in Kearny.
About the Kearny Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($76,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $59,453 | $28.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $71,288 | $34.27 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $78,286 | $37.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $87,137 | $41.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $100,782 | $48.46 |
Median Salary Position
11.44% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kearny
In Kearny, NJ, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $41,329 (2026 est.). At $78,286, the local median is 11.44% above the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kearny: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kearny Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Kearny median: $78,286/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kearny Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $80,958 | -3.30% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | +11.44% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Kearny, NJ earn a median of $78,286 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.44% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 3.30% below the New Jersey state average of $80,958.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kearny has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kearny, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $78,286 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $67,957 — a 13.19% reduction.
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
$65,518
2025 BLS Actual
$76,206
2026 Current Est.
$78,286
2019–2027 Growth
+22.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Kearny (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $65,518 | Actual |
| 2020 | $66,611 | Actual |
| 2021 | $68,182 | Actual |
| 2022 | $69,954 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,414 | Actual |
| 2024 | $84,698 | Actual |
| 2025 | $76,206 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78,286 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80,424 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kearny metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $65,518 (2019) to $76,206 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $80,424 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,906 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kearny 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) | $59,453 – $71,288 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $71,288 – $78,286 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $78,286 – $87,137 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $87,137 – $100,782 |
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 Kearny
The job market for physical therapist assistants in Kearny shows a steady presence, with a small but stable workforce of 11 professionals. The high cost-of-living index of 115.2 indicates that while salaries are robust, take-home pay must be strategized to meet local financial demands. Employers such as outpatient orthopedic clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and hospital inpatient rehab tend to offer the highest compensation in the area, influenced by factors such as productivity expectations and varying reimbursement rates stemming from the 15% Medicare cut. To maximize income, PTAs should consider opportunities in settings with higher payment structures, pursue specialization, and negotiate based on the current market dynamics in Kearny, NJ.
More salary data for Kearny, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Kearny, NJ in 2026?
Is Kearny, NJ a good place to work as a physical therapist assistant?
Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Kearny?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Kearny?
How much does a physical therapist assistant make per hour in Kearny?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in New Jersey
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 $76,206 for physical therapist assistantsin the Kearny 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 Kearny 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