Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Richland, WA: $76,535 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Richland, WA earns a median $76,535/year (≈ $36.80/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Richland's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $71,262 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 11.5% above the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for physical therapist assistants in Richland, Washington, is $76,535, placing it above the national median of $70,247. This figure is reflective of local productivity expectations and the number of patient visits per day that significantly contribute to compensation. The salary range for this role spans from $53,214 at the P10 level to $97,570 at the P90 level, illustrating the variation in pay based on experience, employer type, and specific practice settings. These estimates are derived from BLS state-level data adjusted for regional costs, indicating a robust opportunity for PTAs in Richland due to growing demand and the area's favorable earning potential.
About the Richland Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,214 | $25.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $66,208 | $31.84 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $76,535 | $36.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $87,068 | $41.86 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $97,570 | $46.91 |
Median Salary Position
8.95% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Richland
In Richland, WA, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $44,356 (2026 est.). At $76,535, the local median is 8.95% above the national median of $70,247.
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At 40 hours/week in Richland: You'd be above the median
How Richland Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Richland median: $76,535/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Richland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $68,641 | +11.50% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | +8.95% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Richland, WA earn a median of $76,535 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.95% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 11.50% above the Washington state average of $68,641.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Richland has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Richland, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $76,535 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $71,262 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$64,053
2025 BLS Actual
$74,501
2026 Current Est.
$76,535
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Richland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,053 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,120 | Actual |
| 2021 | $66,656 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,389 | Actual |
| 2023 | $69,816 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,150 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,501 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,535 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78,624 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Richland metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $64,053 (2019) to $74,501 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $78,624 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,571 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Richland 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) | $53,214 – $66,208 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $66,208 – $76,535 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $76,535 – $87,068 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $87,068 – $97,570 |
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 Richland
Currently, Richland has about 15 physical therapist assistants actively employed, contributing to a stable local job market. However, the cost of living index stands at 107.4, suggesting that living expenses are slightly above the national average. This factor can affect take-home purchasing power for PTAs in the region. In terms of pay hierarchy, outpatient orthopedic clinics tend to offer higher wages compared to skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies. Variances in salaries are influenced by settings, with hospitals generally providing more competitive compensation. Productivity expectations also play a critical role; those who can meet or exceed their patient load may see increased pay. To maximize earning potential in Richland, seeking employment in outpatient clinics and optimizing billing practices while navigating Medicare's reimbursement cuts can enhance salary outcomes in this competitive field.
More salary data for Richland, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Richland?
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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 $74,501 for physical therapist assistantsin the Richland 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 Richland 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