Physical Therapist Assistant salary in St. Louis, MO-IL
Physical Therapist Assistants in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn a median of $65,820 a year ($31.65 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,100 workers.
Pay ranges from $53,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,400 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $68,380. Pay here is 3% higher than the Missouri statewide median of $63,770. There are 0.82 physical therapist assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $66,660, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physical therapist assistants in St. Louis, MO-IL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $53,070 | $25.51 |
| 25th percentile | $61,130 | $29.39 |
| Median | $65,820 | $31.65 |
| 75th percentile | $74,680 | $35.90 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $79,400 | $38.17 |
| Average (mean) | $66,660 | $32.05 |
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 | $5,485 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,742.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,531.54 |
| Weekly | $1,265.77 |
| Hourly | $31.65 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $65,820 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $72,230 | 3,520 |
| Springfield, IL | $66,390 | 70 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $65,580 | 880 |
| Decatur, IL | $65,210 | 40 |
| Kankakee, IL | $64,960 | 40 |
| Rockford, IL | $64,040 | 90 |
| Columbia, MO | $63,540 | 110 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $61,560 | 90 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $61,510 | 50 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $61,430 | 80 |
| Springfield, MO | $61,420 | 190 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $61,250 | 50 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $61,130 | 140 |
| Peoria, IL | $61,120 | 160 |
| Bloomington, IL | $59,590 | 80 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $58,720 | 60 |
| 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 St. Louis, MO-IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $67,450 | $32.43 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $29,250 | $14.06 |
| Occupational Therapy Aide | $38,600 | $18.56 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $34,490 | $16.58 |
| Nursing Assistant | $39,110 | $18.81 |
| Medical Assistant | $44,710 | $21.50 |
| Dental Assistant | $48,120 | $23.13 |
| Massage Therapist | $59,020 | $28.38 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $37,790 | $18.17 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $45,880 | $22.06 |
| Phlebotomist | $45,750 | $22.00 |
| Orderly | $35,620 | $17.13 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $38,430 | $18.48 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $42,000 | $20.19 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in St. Louis, MO-IL
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 St. Louis, MO-IL?
The median salary for physical therapist assistants in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area is $65,820 a year, or $31.65 an hour. Pay ranges from $53,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,400 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physical therapist assistants make in St. Louis, MO-IL?
The top 10% of physical therapist assistants in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn at least $79,400 a year. The top 25% earn $74,680 or more.
What is the starting pay for physical therapist assistants in St. Louis, MO-IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $53,070 a year, and a quarter of physical therapist assistants earn $61,130 or less.
How many physical therapist assistants work in St. Louis, MO-IL?
About 1,100 physical therapist assistants are employed in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.