Physical Therapist Assistant salary in Fort Smith, AR-OK
Physical Therapist Assistants in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area earn a median of $63,210 a year ($30.39 an hour), based on BLS data for 140 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,550 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $68,380. Pay here is 2% lower than the Arkansas statewide median of $64,520. There are 1.5 physical therapist assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.0× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $64,790, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physical therapist assistants in Fort Smith, AR-OK
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,500 | $18.03 |
| 25th percentile | $55,380 | $26.62 |
| Median | $63,210 | $30.39 |
| 75th percentile | $76,450 | $36.76 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $79,550 | $38.24 |
| Average (mean) | $64,790 | $31.15 |
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 | $5,267.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,633.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,431.15 |
| Weekly | $1,215.58 |
| Hourly | $30.39 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $63,210 salary, see how much house you can afford in Arkansas 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Texarkana, TX-AR | $73,560 | 90 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $73,100 | 200 |
| Lawton, OK | $64,660 | 50 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $64,110 | 460 |
| Hot Springs, AR | $63,280 | 60 |
| Jonesboro, AR | $62,700 | 170 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $61,560 | 490 |
| Tulsa, OK | $59,910 | 680 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $58,850 | 1,060 |
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 Arkansas statewide figures.
Related jobs in Fort Smith, AR-OK
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $80,660 | $38.78 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $28,410 | $13.66 |
| Nursing Assistant | $32,020 | $15.39 |
| Medical Assistant | $37,380 | $17.97 |
| Dental Assistant | $37,160 | $17.87 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $32,590 | $15.67 |
| Phlebotomist | $34,860 | $16.76 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $34,360 | $16.52 |
| Massage Therapist | $37,110 | $17.84 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Fort Smith, AR-OK
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 Fort Smith, AR-OK?
The median salary for physical therapist assistants in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area is $63,210 a year, or $30.39 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,550 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physical therapist assistants make in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
The top 10% of physical therapist assistants in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area earn at least $79,550 a year. The top 25% earn $76,450 or more.
What is the starting pay for physical therapist assistants in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,500 a year, and a quarter of physical therapist assistants earn $55,380 or less.
How many physical therapist assistants work in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
About 140 physical therapist assistants are employed in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area, not counting the self-employed.