Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Paterson, NJ: $80,867 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Paterson, NJ earns a median $80,867/year (≈ $38.88/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Paterson's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $70,197 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Physical therapist assistants in Paterson, NJ, can expect a median annual salary of $80,867 in 2026, significantly higher than the national median of $70,247, reflecting a competitive local market for this healthcare profession. Salaries in the area range from $57,478 at the lower end to $108,428 at the top, offering diverse earning potential based on experience, setting, and specific job roles. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost considerations, highlighting a landscape where outpatient settings have maintained more robust compensation levels compared to skilled nursing facilities, particularly in light of recent Medicare cuts.
About the Paterson Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($76,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $57,478 | $27.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $71,050 | $34.16 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $80,867 | $38.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $96,393 | $46.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $108,428 | $52.13 |
Median Salary Position
15.12% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Paterson
In Paterson, NJ, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,950 (2026 est.). At $80,867, the local median is 15.12% above the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Paterson: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Paterson Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Paterson median: $80,867/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Paterson Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $80,948 | -0.10% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | +15.12% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Paterson, NJ earn a median of $80,867 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.12% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 0.10% below the New Jersey state average of $80,948.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Paterson has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Paterson, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $80,867 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $70,197 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$67,678
2025 BLS Actual
$78,718
2026 Current Est.
$80,867
2019–2027 Growth
+22.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Paterson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $67,678 | Actual |
| 2020 | $68,806 | Actual |
| 2021 | $70,429 | Actual |
| 2022 | $72,260 | Actual |
| 2023 | $73,768 | Actual |
| 2024 | $87,490 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,718 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80,867 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83,075 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Paterson metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $67,678 (2019) to $78,718 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $83,075 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,397 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Paterson 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) | $57,478 – $71,050 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $71,050 – $80,867 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $80,867 – $96,393 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $96,393 – $108,428 |
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 Paterson
Currently, 31 physical therapist assistants are actively employed in Paterson, contributing to a job market shaped by the city's higher-than-average cost of living index of 115.2. This figure indicates that while salaries are competitive, the purchasing power of physical therapist assistant pay in Paterson, NJ, is influenced by local economic factors. Employers that tend to offer higher compensation include outpatient orthopedic clinics and hospital inpatient rehab facilities, which generally provide more favorable rates than skilled nursing facilities due to the structural changes from the Medicare 15% reimbursement cuts. To enhance earnings, physical therapist assistants should explore opportunities focusing on settings that demand high productivity and may offer weekend or PRN premiums, along with supervision roles that truly leverage their skills. Understanding the landscape of employer types can be beneficial for maximizing pay in this vibrant New Jersey market.
More salary data for Paterson, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Paterson, NJ in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Paterson?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Paterson?
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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 $78,718 for physical therapist assistantsin the Paterson 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 Paterson 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