Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in West Orange, NJ: $80,245 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in West Orange, NJ earns a median $80,245/year (≈ $38.58/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in West Orange's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $69,657 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In West Orange, New Jersey, the projected median annual salary for physical therapist assistants in 2026 is $80,245, reflecting a significant increase compared to national figures, which stand at $70,247 for the same year. The salary range for this profession in the area falls between $57,711 at the 10th percentile and $102,295 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, indicate a competitive job market where post-Medicare cuts have led to shifts in compensation across different facility types. The dynamics between outpatient clinics and skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) have particularly influenced earnings, drawing attention to how the evolving landscape of rehabilitation care impacts PTA salaries in West Orange.
About the West Orange Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($76,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $57,711 | $27.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $70,625 | $33.95 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $80,245 | $38.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $91,776 | $44.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $102,295 | $49.18 |
Median Salary Position
14.23% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in West Orange
In West Orange, NJ, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $44,584 (2026 est.). At $80,245, the local median is 14.23% above the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in West Orange: You'd be above the median
How West Orange Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
West Orange median: $80,245/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | West Orange Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $80,893 | -0.80% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | +14.23% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in West Orange, NJ earn a median of $80,245 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.23% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 0.80% below the New Jersey state average of $80,893.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
West Orange has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
West Orange, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $80,245 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $69,657 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$67,158
2025 BLS Actual
$78,113
2026 Current Est.
$80,245
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in West Orange (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $67,158 | Actual |
| 2020 | $68,277 | Actual |
| 2021 | $69,888 | Actual |
| 2022 | $71,704 | Actual |
| 2023 | $73,201 | Actual |
| 2024 | $86,818 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,113 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80,245 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $82,436 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the West Orange metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $67,158 (2019) to $78,113 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $82,436 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,278 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the West Orange 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) | $57,711 – $70,625 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $70,625 – $80,245 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $80,245 – $91,776 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $91,776 – $102,295 |
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 West Orange
The job market for physical therapist assistants in West Orange is relatively stable, with 11 professionals currently employed within the area. However, the cost-of-living index in West Orange is higher than the national average, sitting at 115.2, which highlights the importance of salary negotiations in relation to local expenses. Outpatient orthopedic clinics generally offer the highest pay, but SNFs may be lagging due to the aforementioned Medicare cuts from 2022. Factors such as employer setting, productivity expectations, and the demand for weekend or PRN shifts can significantly affect take-home pay. To optimize earnings, aspiring PTAs in West Orange could explore opportunities in diverse environments such as hospitals and home health agencies, or pursue supplemental certifications to increase their marketability and salary potential.
More salary data for West Orange, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in West Orange, NJ in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in West Orange?
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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 $78,113 for physical therapist assistantsin the West Orange 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 West Orange 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