Physical Therapist Assistant salary in Pennsylvania
Physical Therapist Assistants in Pennsylvania earn a median of $62,580 a year ($30.09 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,270 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,010 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $68,380. Pennsylvania ranks 38th of 51 states for physical therapist assistants pay. There are 0.70 physical therapist assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $63,820, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physical therapist assistants in Pennsylvania
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,610 | $23.85 |
| 25th percentile | $57,770 | $27.78 |
| Median | $62,580 | $30.09 |
| 75th percentile | $73,310 | $35.25 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $78,010 | $37.50 |
| Average (mean) | $63,820 | $30.68 |
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 | $5,215 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,607.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,406.92 |
| Weekly | $1,203.46 |
| Hourly | $30.09 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $62,580 salary, see how much house you can afford in Pennsylvania at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Physical Therapist Assistant salary in cities in Pennsylvania
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $71,540 | 1,650 |
| Reading, PA | $69,530 | 90 |
| Chambersburg, PA | $67,190 | 60 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $65,510 | 250 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $62,400 | 130 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $62,330 | 190 |
| Lancaster, PA | $61,950 | 220 |
| Altoona, PA | $61,670 | 80 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $60,520 | 200 |
| Williamsport, PA | $60,480 | 50 |
| Lebanon, PA | $60,180 | 40 |
| Erie, PA | $59,120 | 110 |
| State College, PA | $58,780 | 50 |
| Johnstown, PA | $58,080 | 50 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $56,020 | 670 |
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 Pennsylvania
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $71,590 | $34.42 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $35,520 | $17.08 |
| Occupational Therapy Aide | $37,100 | $17.84 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $29,420 | $14.14 |
| Nursing Assistant | $44,590 | $21.44 |
| Medical Assistant | $43,920 | $21.12 |
| Dental Assistant | $47,930 | $23.05 |
| Phlebotomist | $43,910 | $21.11 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $45,160 | $21.71 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $37,140 | $17.86 |
| Orderly | $40,140 | $19.30 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $45,820 | $22.03 |
| Massage Therapist | $58,300 | $28.03 |
| Psychiatric Aide | $44,790 | $21.53 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania?
The median salary for physical therapist assistants in Pennsylvania is $62,580 a year, or $30.09 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,010 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physical therapist assistants make in Pennsylvania?
The top 10% of physical therapist assistants in Pennsylvania earn at least $78,010 a year. The top 25% earn $73,310 or more.
What is the starting pay for physical therapist assistants in Pennsylvania?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,610 a year, and a quarter of physical therapist assistants earn $57,770 or less.
How many physical therapist assistants work in Pennsylvania?
About 4,270 physical therapist assistants are employed in Pennsylvania, not counting the self-employed.