Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Plainfield, NJ: $80,772 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Plainfield, NJ earns a median $80,772/year (≈ $38.83/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Plainfield's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $70,115 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the landscape for physical therapist assistants in Plainfield, NJ, reveals a median annual salary of $80,772, surpassing the national median of $70,247 by approximately 14.98%. Salary projections estimate a range from $54,196 at the 10th percentile to $109,214 at the 90th percentile, illustrating a disparity driven largely by market conditions and employment settings. As Medicare cuts have transformed reimbursement structures, the job market has seen a significant shift, especially in outpatient services compared to skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). These dynamics are reshaping how physical therapist assistants are compensated in the area, as employers adjust wages in response to service demand and reimbursement policies.
About the Plainfield Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($76,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54,196 | $26.05 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $68,649 | $33.01 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $80,772 | $38.83 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $90,539 | $43.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $109,214 | $52.51 |
Median Salary Position
14.98% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Plainfield
In Plainfield, NJ, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $55,018 (2026 est.). At $80,772, the local median is 14.98% above the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Plainfield: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Plainfield Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Plainfield median: $80,772/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Plainfield Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $80,934 | -0.20% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | +14.98% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Plainfield, NJ earn a median of $80,772 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.98% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 0.20% below the New Jersey state average of $80,934.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Plainfield has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Plainfield, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $80,772 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $70,115 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$67,599
2025 BLS Actual
$78,626
2026 Current Est.
$80,772
2019–2027 Growth
+22.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Plainfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $67,599 | Actual |
| 2020 | $68,726 | Actual |
| 2021 | $70,347 | Actual |
| 2022 | $72,175 | Actual |
| 2023 | $73,682 | Actual |
| 2024 | $87,387 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,626 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80,772 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $82,978 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Plainfield metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $67,599 (2019) to $78,626 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $82,978 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,379 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Plainfield 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) | $54,196 – $68,649 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $68,649 – $80,772 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $80,772 – $90,539 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $90,539 – $109,214 |
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 Plainfield
While Plainfield employs only ten physical therapist assistants, the local job market's strength is balanced with the area's cost-of-living index of 115.2, which affects overall purchasing power. High-paying opportunities are often found in outpatient orthopedic clinics or hospital inpatient rehabilitation settings, where productivity expectations and service demands can drive salaries upward. The 15% cut to Medicare reimbursements for PTA services, effective since 2022, continues to impact earnings potential, particularly in SNFs and outpatient environments, forcing many practitioners to adapt. To maximize pay in this competitive market, securing positions in high-demand specialties such as pediatric therapy or rehabilitation hospitals is advisable. Opportunities for advancement through PTA-to-DPT bridge programs could also enhance career trajectories, offering pathways to increased responsibility and income.
More salary data for Plainfield, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Plainfield, NJ in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Plainfield?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Plainfield?
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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 $78,626 for physical therapist assistantsin the Plainfield 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 Plainfield 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