Physical Therapist Assistant salary in Missouri
Physical Therapist Assistants in Missouri earn a median of $63,770 a year ($30.66 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,490 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,000 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $68,380. Missouri ranks 33rd of 51 states for physical therapist assistants pay. There are 0.85 physical therapist assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $65,190, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physical therapist assistants in Missouri
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,460 | $24.26 |
| 25th percentile | $58,540 | $28.14 |
| Median | $63,770 | $30.66 |
| 75th percentile | $73,940 | $35.55 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $79,000 | $37.98 |
| Average (mean) | $65,190 | $31.34 |
Half of physical therapist assistants earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,314.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,657.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,452.69 |
| Weekly | $1,226.35 |
| Hourly | $30.66 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $63,770 salary, see how much house you can afford in Missouri at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Physical Therapist Assistant salary in cities in Missouri
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $65,820 | 1,100 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $65,580 | 880 |
| Columbia, MO | $63,540 | 110 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $61,560 | 90 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $61,510 | 50 |
| Springfield, MO | $61,420 | 190 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $61,250 | 50 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $58,240 | 80 |
Highest-paying states for physical therapist assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $83,110 |
| Massachusetts | $79,460 |
| New Jersey | $78,440 |
| Texas | $78,000 |
| Maryland | $77,670 |
| Alaska | $77,640 |
| Connecticut | $75,880 |
| Nevada | $75,520 |
| Delaware | $74,610 |
| Virginia | $73,760 |
Related jobs in Missouri
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $66,070 | $31.77 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $29,250 | $14.06 |
| Occupational Therapy Aide | $38,890 | $18.70 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $33,080 | $15.90 |
| Nursing Assistant | $37,680 | $18.11 |
| Medical Assistant | $40,440 | $19.44 |
| Dental Assistant | $45,970 | $22.10 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $39,940 | $19.20 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $36,660 | $17.62 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $43,480 | $20.91 |
| Phlebotomist | $43,120 | $20.73 |
| Massage Therapist | $62,050 | $29.83 |
| Orderly | $35,620 | $17.13 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $37,820 | $18.18 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Missouri
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-2021. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a physical therapist assistant make in Missouri?
The median salary for physical therapist assistants in Missouri is $63,770 a year, or $30.66 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,000 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physical therapist assistants make in Missouri?
The top 10% of physical therapist assistants in Missouri earn at least $79,000 a year. The top 25% earn $73,940 or more.
What is the starting pay for physical therapist assistants in Missouri?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,460 a year, and a quarter of physical therapist assistants earn $58,540 or less.
How many physical therapist assistants work in Missouri?
About 2,490 physical therapist assistants are employed in Missouri, not counting the self-employed.