Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Seattle, WA: $67,237 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Seattle, WA earns a median $67,237/year (≈ $32.33/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Seattle's price level (11% above national, BEA RPP 111.1), that paycheck buys what $60,501 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the Washington state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the physical therapist assistant salary in Seattle is projected at $67,237 annually, ranking below the national median of $70,247 by approximately 4.28%. The salary spectrum for PTAs reflects a wide range, with entry-level positions starting at $37,609 and experienced professionals earning up to $99,494. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, illustrates the transition in Seattle's market dynamics, where outpatient services and skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) are still recovering from the impact of Medicare's 15% reimbursement cut. Consequently, preferences among employers are fluctuating, highlighting the significant challenges and opportunities within this sector.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,609 | $18.08 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37,609 | $18.08 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $67,237 | $32.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $84,208 | $40.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $99,494 | $47.83 |
Median Salary Position
4.28% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Seattle
In Seattle, WA, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $61,885 (2026 est.). At $67,237, the local median is 4.28% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Seattle: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Seattle Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Seattle median: $67,237/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Seattle Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $68,609 | -2.00% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -4.28% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Seattle, WA earn a median of $67,237 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.28% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 2.00% below the Washington state average of $68,609.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Seattle has a cost of living 11.13% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Seattle, WA has a cost-of-living index of 111.133 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $67,237 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $60,501 — a 10.02% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$62,310
2025 BLS Actual
$65,450
2026 Current Est.
$67,237
2019–2027 Growth
+10.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Seattle (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,310 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,910 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,810 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,640 | Actual |
| 2023 | $72,430 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,240 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,450 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,237 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,072 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Seattle metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 5.0% from $62,310 (2019) to $65,450 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,072 by 2027 — a total increase of $6,762 (10.85%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Seattle 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) | $37,609 – $37,609 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $37,609 – $67,237 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $67,237 – $84,208 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $84,208 – $99,494 |
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 Seattle
With 1,120 physical therapist assistants currently working in Seattle, the local job market shows considerable strength, although the cost-of-living index of 111.133 presents a challenge to take-home purchasing power. Employers such as outpatient orthopedic clinics tend to offer higher salaries compared to skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies, which often struggle with budget constraints post-reimbursement cuts. The disparity in pay is influenced by productivity expectations, supervisory requirements, and the necessary adjustments due to Medicare's financial impact on service delivery. To maximize earning potential in Seattle WA, PTAs should consider seeking roles in high-paying outpatient settings, pursuing additional certifications or specialties, and staying informed about the evolving landscape of physical therapy reimbursements, particularly in response to legislative changes.
More salary data for Seattle, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Seattle, WA in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Seattle?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Seattle?
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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 $65,450 for physical therapist assistantsin the Seattle 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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