Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in District of Columbia (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Physical Therapist Assistants in District of Columbia, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
District of Columbia Median
$63,400
per year
Hourly Rate
$30.48
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-7% vs US median
US median $68,380
State Rank
#36 of 51
40 employed here

How much does a Physical Therapist Assistant make in District of Columbia?

Physical Therapist Assistants in District of Columbia take home a median of $63,400 annually — roughly $30.48 an hour — which runs 7% below the national median of $68,380.

Within District of Columbia, entry-level pay starts around $45,750 while the top 10% make $82,250 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $45,970 and $80,950 a year.

Physical Therapist Assistant salary range in District of Columbia

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$45,750$22.00
25th percentile (early career)$45,970$22.10
50th percentile (median)$63,400$30.48
75th percentile (experienced)$80,950$38.92
90th percentile (top earners)$82,250$39.54

How District of Columbia compares

District of Columbia ranks 36th out of 51 states and territories for Physical Therapist Assistant pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1California$83,110
2Massachusetts$79,460
3New Jersey$78,440
4Texas$78,000
5Maryland$77,670

Working as a Physical Therapist Assistant in District of Columbia

Nationally, about 112,000 people work as Physical Therapist Assistants in the United States. A certificate or diploma program (usually 6 to 18 months) is the typical entry path.

Considering a move? Compare District of Columbia pay ($63,400) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Physical Therapist Assistant make in District of Columbia?
The median Physical Therapist Assistant salary in District of Columbia is $63,400 per year, or about $30.48 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $45,750 at the entry level to $82,250 for the top 10% of earners.
How does District of Columbia pay compare to the national average?
District of Columbia pays Physical Therapist Assistants about 7% less than the national median of $68,380. District of Columbia ranks 36th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is District of Columbia a good state for Physical Therapist Assistants?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $63,400 a year. About 40 Physical Therapist Assistants are employed in District of Columbia. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in District of Columbia?
The highest-paying occupations in District of Columbia include Neurologist ($332,000), Emergency Medicine Physician ($318,200), Podiatrist ($265,740), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Physical Therapist Assistant salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.