Physical Therapist Assistant salary in Washington
Physical Therapist Assistants in Washington earn a median of $66,450 a year ($31.95 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,150 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $93,140 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $68,380. Washington ranks 21st of 51 states for physical therapist assistants pay. There are 0.60 physical therapist assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $65,090, close to the median.
Pay range for physical therapist assistants in Washington
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,610 | $17.60 |
| 25th percentile | $43,890 | $21.10 |
| Median | $66,450 | $31.95 |
| 75th percentile | $80,730 | $38.81 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $93,140 | $44.78 |
| Average (mean) | $65,090 | $31.29 |
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 | $5,537.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,768.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,555.77 |
| Weekly | $1,277.88 |
| Hourly | $31.95 |
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 Washington
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $74,690 | 470 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $74,250 | 80 |
| Yakima, WA | $74,100 | 50 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $72,980 | 70 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | $69,140 | 40 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $66,810 | 80 |
| Bellingham, WA | $66,450 | 80 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $65,450 | 1,120 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $64,740 | 220 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | $61,420 | 50 |
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 Washington
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Aide | $39,500 | $18.99 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $77,590 | $37.30 |
| Occupational Therapy Aide | $45,890 | $22.06 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $47,730 | $22.95 |
| Nursing Assistant | $49,180 | $23.65 |
| Medical Assistant | $59,290 | $28.50 |
| Dental Assistant | $58,090 | $27.93 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $44,150 | $21.23 |
| Massage Therapist | $87,360 | $42.00 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $62,040 | $29.83 |
| Phlebotomist | $48,880 | $23.50 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $45,110 | $21.69 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $58,830 | $28.28 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $38,690 | $18.60 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Washington
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 Washington?
The median salary for physical therapist assistants in Washington is $66,450 a year, or $31.95 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $93,140 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physical therapist assistants make in Washington?
The top 10% of physical therapist assistants in Washington earn at least $93,140 a year. The top 25% earn $80,730 or more.
What is the starting pay for physical therapist assistants in Washington?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,610 a year, and a quarter of physical therapist assistants earn $43,890 or less.
How many physical therapist assistants work in Washington?
About 2,150 physical therapist assistants are employed in Washington, not counting the self-employed.