Physical Therapist Assistant salary in New Jersey
Physical Therapist Assistants in New Jersey earn a median of $78,440 a year ($37.71 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,810 workers.
Pay ranges from $62,620 for the lowest-paid 10% to $90,090 for the top 10%. That is 15% higher than the national median of $68,380. New Jersey ranks 3rd of 51 states for physical therapist assistants pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.42 physical therapist assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.58). The average (mean) salary is $77,020, close to the median.
Pay range for physical therapist assistants in New Jersey
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,620 | $30.11 |
| 25th percentile | $72,900 | $35.05 |
| Median | $78,440 | $37.71 |
| 75th percentile | $83,200 | $40.00 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $90,090 | $43.31 |
| Average (mean) | $77,020 | $37.03 |
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 | $6,536.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,268.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,016.92 |
| Weekly | $1,508.46 |
| Hourly | $37.71 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $78,440 salary, see how much house you can afford in New Jersey at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Physical Therapist Assistant salary in cities in New Jersey
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $75,620 | 3,220 |
| Trenton-Princeton, NJ | $75,410 | 80 |
| Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | $73,440 | 50 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $71,540 | 1,650 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $65,510 | 250 |
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 New Jersey
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Aide | $34,430 | $16.55 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $74,960 | $36.04 |
| Occupational Therapy Aide | $44,470 | $21.38 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $37,090 | $17.83 |
| Nursing Assistant | $46,830 | $22.52 |
| Medical Assistant | $47,210 | $22.70 |
| Dental Assistant | $49,390 | $23.74 |
| Phlebotomist | $48,650 | $23.39 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $46,160 | $22.19 |
| Massage Therapist | $50,150 | $24.11 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $49,600 | $23.85 |
| Orderly | $38,670 | $18.59 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $50,280 | $24.18 |
| Psychiatric Aide | $45,780 | $22.01 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in New Jersey
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 New Jersey?
The median salary for physical therapist assistants in New Jersey is $78,440 a year, or $37.71 an hour. Pay ranges from $62,620 for the lowest-paid 10% to $90,090 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physical therapist assistants make in New Jersey?
The top 10% of physical therapist assistants in New Jersey earn at least $90,090 a year. The top 25% earn $83,200 or more.
What is the starting pay for physical therapist assistants in New Jersey?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $62,620 a year, and a quarter of physical therapist assistants earn $72,900 or less.
How many physical therapist assistants work in New Jersey?
About 1,810 physical therapist assistants are employed in New Jersey, not counting the self-employed.