Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Chesapeake, VA: $75,593 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Chesapeake, VA earns a median $75,593/year (≈ $36.35/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Chesapeake's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $73,249 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The projected median annual salary for a physical therapist assistant in Chesapeake, Virginia, is $75,593 in 2026. This figure not only outstrips the national median of $70,247 but also highlights Chesapeake's competitive position within the healthcare job market. Salaries for PTAs in this area range from $48,103 at the 10th percentile to $106,432 at the 90th percentile. These estimates draw from 2025 BLS data, adjusted to account for regional price parities, reflecting local economic conditions and the demand for skilled health professionals. As PTAs transition toward earning a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree, the potential for increased lifetime earnings enhances the appeal of pursuing advanced qualifications in Chesapeake.
About the Chesapeake Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,103 | $23.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $66,743 | $32.09 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $75,593 | $36.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $91,190 | $43.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $106,432 | $51.17 |
Median Salary Position
7.61% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chesapeake
In Chesapeake, VA, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $58,329 (2026 est.). At $75,593, the local median is 7.61% above the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Chesapeake: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Chesapeake Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Chesapeake median: $75,593/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chesapeake Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $70,247 | +7.61% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Chesapeake, VA earn a median of $75,593 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.61% higher than the national median of $70,247.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chesapeake has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Chesapeake, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $75,593 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $73,249 — a 3.1% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$63,264
2025 BLS Actual
$73,584
2026 Current Est.
$75,593
2019–2027 Growth
+22.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Chesapeake (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $63,264 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,319 | Actual |
| 2021 | $65,836 | Actual |
| 2022 | $67,547 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,957 | Actual |
| 2024 | $70,428 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,584 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75,593 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $77,657 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chesapeake metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $63,264 (2019) to $73,584 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $77,657 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,393 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chesapeake 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) | $48,103 – $66,743 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $66,743 – $75,593 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $75,593 – $91,190 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $91,190 – $106,432 |
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 Chesapeake
The local job market in Chesapeake supports a workforce of 63 physical therapist assistants, indicating a stable demand for these professionals. With a cost-of-living index slightly above the national average at 103.2, practical financial planning becomes essential for maximizing take-home pay. Employers in outpatient orthopedic clinics typically offer the highest compensation, followed by skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, and hospitals. Variability in salaries stems from factors like the setting in which PTAs work and the associated productivity expectations. Given the impact of the 15% Medicare cut on PTA-reliant services, understanding these dynamics is vital. To enhance earnings in Chesapeake, professionals should seek positions in high-paying settings and consider additional responsibilities, such as supervision roles, or exploring weekend shift opportunities to capitalize on premium pay.
More salary data for Chesapeake, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Chesapeake, VA in 2026?
Is Chesapeake, VA a good place to work as a physical therapist assistant?
Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Chesapeake?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Chesapeake?
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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 $73,584 for physical therapist assistantsin the Chesapeake 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 Chesapeake 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