Senior Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Lee's Summit, MO: $85,323 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of physical therapist assistants working in Lee's Summit, MO — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $85,323/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 31-2021. Strip back Lee's Summit's price premium (BEA RPP 89.6, 10% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $95,227 in average-cost America. The 36% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Lee's Summit, Missouri, senior physical therapist assistants can expect to earn significantly higher salaries as they advance in their careers, with top earners reaching a projected annual income of $85,323 in 2026. This figure highlights the substantial earnings potential in this role, especially when compared to the median annual salary of $62,659 for all experienced practitioners in the area. The gap between the median and top-tier pay indicates that achieving such high earnings requires a combination of advanced skills, specialized knowledge, and possibly leadership roles. Success in this competitive market often necessitates more than just years of experience; factors such as additional certifications and advanced practice areas can greatly enhance earning potential.
About the Lee's Summit Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lee's Summit
Experienced physical therapist assistants at the top of the pay scale in Lee's Summit earn between $74,082 and $85,323 per year (2026 est.). This $41,572 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Lee's Summit median of $62,659 sits 10.8% below the US median.
Top PTA Salary Comparison
| Level | Lee's Summit | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $62,659 | $70,247 |
| 75th Percentile | $74,082 | $80,828 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $85,323 | $91,954 |
In Lee's Summit, experienced physical therapist assistants (P90) earn 36.17% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Physical Therapist Assistant Pay in Lee's Summit
Advanced Certifications in Missouri
MO physical therapist assistants with additional specialty certifications within the physical therapy field earn significantly above the $62,659 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Lee's Summit employers.
Specialty Focus
Physical Therapist Assistants focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the physical therapy field in Lee's Summit command premium compensation, often reaching the $74,082–$85,323 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Lee's Summit metro area often pay above-market rates for experienced physical therapist assistants who demonstrate efficiency and leadership.
Employer Loyalty & Patient Relationships
Long-tenured physical therapist assistants in Lee's Summit with established relationships have strong negotiating leverage. In this developing market, retention bonuses and annual raises are common for top performers.
Continuing Education & Leadership
Physical Therapist Assistants in Missouri who pursue advanced degrees, mentor junior staff, or lead clinical education programs position themselves for the highest compensation tiers and management roles.
Physical Therapist Assistant Career & Wage Growth Path in Lee's Summit
Clinical Physical Therapist Assistant
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Physical Therapist Assistant
5-10 yearsPhysical Therapist Assistant Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedLee's Summit ranks #4 of 33 Missouri cities for top earner physical therapist assistant salary (90th percentile: $85,323).
Top 10% physical therapist assistant compensation in Lee's Summit ($85,323) is 4.44% above the Missouri average P90 ($81,692).
2019 BLS Actual
$75,011
2025 BLS Actual
$83,056
2026 Current Est.
$85,323
2019–2027 Growth
+16.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Lee's Summit (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $75,011 | Actual |
| 2020 | $76,524 | Actual |
| 2021 | $74,389 | Actual |
| 2022 | $79,085 | Actual |
| 2023 | $82,425 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,120 | Actual |
| 2025 | $83,056 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,323 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87,653 | Projected |
Top-earning physical therapist assistants (90th percentile) in Lee's Summit saw their compensation grow 10.7% from $75,011 in 2019 to $83,056 in 2025, based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for this metropolitan area. At a 2.73% annual growth rate, senior-level pay is projected to reach $87,653 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lee's Summit 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.
Maximizing Your Physical Therapist Assistant Earnings in Lee's Summit
Senior-level physical therapist assistants in Lee's Summit can increase their income by focusing on specializations like orthopedic rehabilitation, geriatric care, pediatric therapy, sports medicine, or home health. Employers in various settings such as outpatient orthopedic clinics, skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, and hospitals offer differing compensation structures that can significantly impact earnings. For instance, positions in outpatient facilities generally provide higher salaries than skilled nursing facilities, which still feel the effects of a reduced reimbursement rate from Medicare. Those aiming for leadership roles can explore opportunities as lead PTAs, clinic operations supervisors, or even faculty positions in PTA programs, while advancing through pathways like PTA-to-DPT bridge programs can open doors for increased responsibilities and higher pay. Credentials such as being licensed as a physical therapist assistant and gaining proficiency certifications from the APTA can further elevate their value in a market where non-salary benefits—such as productivity incentives and flexible scheduling—also influence compensation structures.
More salary data for Lee's Summit, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced physical therapist assistants make in Lee's Summit in 2026?
What drives higher physical therapist assistant pay in Lee's Summit?
What certifications boost physical therapist assistant salary in Lee's Summit?
Can experienced physical therapist assistants make six figures in Lee's Summit?
How much does physical therapist assistant salary increase over time in Lee's Summit?
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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
Top-earner salary figures on this page are 2026 projections derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. BLS reported a 90th percentile salary of $83,056 for physical therapist assistants in the Lee's Summit metro area. A 2.73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 senior-level compensation. Individual earnings depend on certifications, specialization, practice type, and years of clinical experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Lee's Summit 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