Physical Therapist Assistant salary in Lake Charles, LA
Physical Therapist Assistants in the Lake Charles, LA metro area earn a median of $64,550 a year ($31.03 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $21,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,630 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $68,380. Pay here is 1% lower than the Louisiana statewide median of $65,370. There are 0.96 physical therapist assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $59,960, close to the median.
Pay range for physical therapist assistants in Lake Charles, LA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,420 | $10.30 |
| 25th percentile | $32,880 | $15.81 |
| Median | $64,550 | $31.03 |
| 75th percentile | $77,260 | $37.14 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $78,630 | $37.81 |
| Average (mean) | $59,960 | $28.83 |
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 | $5,379.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,689.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,482.69 |
| Weekly | $1,241.35 |
| Hourly | $31.03 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $64,550 salary, see how much house you can afford in Louisiana 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 |
|---|---|---|
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $73,980 | 260 |
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA | $68,520 | 110 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | $66,550 | 180 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $66,510 | 290 |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA | $65,480 | 70 |
| Monroe, LA | $64,250 | 70 |
| Alexandria, LA | $62,530 | 50 |
| Hammond, LA | $61,590 | 70 |
| Lafayette, LA | $60,760 | 180 |
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 Louisiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lake Charles, LA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $77,820 | $37.42 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $23,000 | $11.06 |
| Medical Assistant | $38,550 | $18.53 |
| Nursing Assistant | $33,850 | $16.27 |
| Dental Assistant | $40,200 | $19.33 |
| Phlebotomist | $35,210 | $16.93 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $29,650 | $14.25 |
| Massage Therapist | $42,830 | $20.59 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Lake Charles, LA
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 Lake Charles, LA?
The median salary for physical therapist assistants in the Lake Charles, LA metro area is $64,550 a year, or $31.03 an hour. Pay ranges from $21,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,630 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physical therapist assistants make in Lake Charles, LA?
The top 10% of physical therapist assistants in the Lake Charles, LA metro area earn at least $78,630 a year. The top 25% earn $77,260 or more.
What is the starting pay for physical therapist assistants in Lake Charles, LA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $21,420 a year, and a quarter of physical therapist assistants earn $32,880 or less.
How many physical therapist assistants work in Lake Charles, LA?
About 100 physical therapist assistants are employed in the Lake Charles, LA metro area, not counting the self-employed.