Physical Therapist Assistant salary in Rhode Island
Physical Therapist Assistants in Rhode Island earn a median of $68,640 a year ($33.00 an hour), based on BLS data for 420 workers.
Pay ranges from $58,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,990 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $68,380. Rhode Island ranks 17th of 51 states for physical therapist assistants pay. There are 0.83 physical therapist assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $67,980, close to the median.
Pay range for physical therapist assistants in Rhode Island
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $58,380 | $28.07 |
| 25th percentile | $61,090 | $29.37 |
| Median | $68,640 | $33.00 |
| 75th percentile | $73,970 | $35.56 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $76,990 | $37.01 |
| Average (mean) | $67,980 | $32.68 |
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 | $5,720 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,860 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,640 |
| Weekly | $1,320 |
| Hourly | $33.00 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Physical Therapist Assistant salary in cities in Rhode Island
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $72,150 | 630 |
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 Rhode Island
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $66,710 | $32.07 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Nursing Assistant | $46,440 | $22.33 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $43,680 | $21.00 |
| Medical Assistant | $47,190 | $22.69 |
| Dental Assistant | $50,150 | $24.11 |
| Phlebotomist | $46,380 | $22.30 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $49,770 | $23.93 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $47,600 | $22.88 |
| Massage Therapist | $74,960 | $36.04 |
| Orderly | $39,830 | $19.15 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $51,460 | $24.74 |
| Psychiatric Aide | $51,100 | $24.57 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $34,790 | $16.72 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Rhode Island
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 Rhode Island?
The median salary for physical therapist assistants in Rhode Island is $68,640 a year, or $33.00 an hour. Pay ranges from $58,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,990 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physical therapist assistants make in Rhode Island?
The top 10% of physical therapist assistants in Rhode Island earn at least $76,990 a year. The top 25% earn $73,970 or more.
What is the starting pay for physical therapist assistants in Rhode Island?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $58,380 a year, and a quarter of physical therapist assistants earn $61,090 or less.
How many physical therapist assistants work in Rhode Island?
About 420 physical therapist assistants are employed in Rhode Island, not counting the self-employed.