Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in The Dalles, OR: $63,876 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in The Dalles, OR earns a median $63,876/year (≈ $30.71/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in The Dalles's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 102.6), that paycheck buys what $62,257 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.3% below the Oregon state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected physical therapist assistant salary in The Dalles, OR, stands at $63,876, falling notably below the national median of $70,247. The salary range for this occupation locally spans from $48,822 at the 10th percentile to $80,553 at the 90th percentile, reflecting significant disparities based on experience and setting. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and regional price adjustments, highlighting a market influenced by recent changes such as the Medicare cuts impacting health services. As healthcare providers adapt to these fiscal realities, the job market in The Dalles continues to evolve, creating a need for flexibility and high productivity among physical therapist assistants.
About the The Dalles Market
Salary estimated from Oregon average ($70,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,822 | $23.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58,189 | $27.97 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,876 | $30.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72,885 | $35.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,553 | $38.73 |
Median Salary Position
9.07% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in The Dalles
In The Dalles, OR, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $31,731 (2026 est.). At $63,876, the local median is 9.07% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in The Dalles: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How The Dalles Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
The Dalles median: $63,876/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | The Dalles Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Average | $68,907 | -7.30% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -9.07% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in The Dalles, OR earn a median of $63,876 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.07% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 7.30% below the Oregon state average of $68,907.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
The Dalles has a cost of living 2.60% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
The Dalles, OR has a cost-of-living index of 102.6 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $63,876 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $62,257 — a 2.53% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,459
2025 BLS Actual
$62,179
2026 Current Est.
$63,876
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in The Dalles (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,459 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,350 | Actual |
| 2021 | $55,632 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,078 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,269 | Actual |
| 2024 | $66,563 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,179 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,876 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,620 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the The Dalles metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $53,459 (2019) to $62,179 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,620 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,161 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the The Dalles 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) | $48,822 – $58,189 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $58,189 – $63,876 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,876 – $72,885 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $72,885 – $80,553 |
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 The Dalles
The job market for physical therapist assistants in The Dalles currently employs six professionals, indicative of a niche market with limited openings. The cost of living index of 102.6 suggests that while salaries are slightly below the national average, the economic landscape requires careful financial planning for take-home pay. Outpatient orthopedic clinics generally compensate their staff most competitively, particularly as they recover from the effects of the 15% Medicare cut impacting PTA reimbursements. Factors such as setting, productivity expectations, and specialty certifications can drive salary variations. To maximize earnings in this market, PTAs should pursue additional certifications, gain experience in diverse settings, and consider weekend shifts or PRN work, thus capitalizing on enhanced pay rates associated with supervision and workload demands.
More salary data for The Dalles, OR:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $62,179 for physical therapist assistantsin the The Dalles 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 The Dalles 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