Physical Therapist Assistant salary in Columbia, MO
Physical Therapist Assistants in the Columbia, MO metro area earn a median of $63,540 a year ($30.55 an hour), based on BLS data for 110 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,600 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $68,380. Pay here is about the same as the Missouri statewide median of $63,770. There are 1.0 physical therapist assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $64,380, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physical therapist assistants in Columbia, MO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,800 | $23.94 |
| 25th percentile | $59,920 | $28.81 |
| Median | $63,540 | $30.55 |
| 75th percentile | $74,110 | $35.63 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $74,600 | $35.87 |
| Average (mean) | $64,380 | $30.95 |
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 | $5,295 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,647.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,443.85 |
| Weekly | $1,221.92 |
| Hourly | $30.55 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $63,540 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 other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $65,820 | 1,100 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $65,580 | 880 |
| 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 |
See Physical Therapist Assistant pay in every state or the Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, MO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $62,810 | $30.20 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $29,130 | $14.01 |
| Occupational Therapy Aide | $33,480 | $16.09 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $36,860 | $17.72 |
| Nursing Assistant | $41,290 | $19.85 |
| Medical Assistant | $41,350 | $19.88 |
| Dental Assistant | $46,920 | $22.56 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $46,340 | $22.28 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $34,900 | $16.78 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $36,820 | $17.70 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $41,020 | $19.72 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, MO
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 Columbia, MO?
The median salary for physical therapist assistants in the Columbia, MO metro area is $63,540 a year, or $30.55 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,600 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physical therapist assistants make in Columbia, MO?
The top 10% of physical therapist assistants in the Columbia, MO metro area earn at least $74,600 a year. The top 25% earn $74,110 or more.
What is the starting pay for physical therapist assistants in Columbia, MO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,800 a year, and a quarter of physical therapist assistants earn $59,920 or less.
How many physical therapist assistants work in Columbia, MO?
About 110 physical therapist assistants are employed in the Columbia, MO metro area, not counting the self-employed.