Physical Therapist Assistant salary in Tucson, AZ
Physical Therapist Assistants in the Tucson, AZ metro area earn a median of $65,220 a year ($31.36 an hour), based on BLS data for 260 workers.
Pay ranges from $44,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,690 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $68,380. Pay here is 1% higher than the Arizona statewide median of $64,650. There are 0.66 physical therapist assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $65,330, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physical therapist assistants in Tucson, AZ
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,750 | $21.51 |
| 25th percentile | $57,860 | $27.82 |
| Median | $65,220 | $31.36 |
| 75th percentile | $74,260 | $35.70 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $78,690 | $37.83 |
| Average (mean) | $65,330 | $31.41 |
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 | $5,435 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,717.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,508.46 |
| Weekly | $1,254.23 |
| Hourly | $31.36 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $65,220 salary, see how much house you can afford in Arizona 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Flagstaff, AZ | $73,710 | 40 |
| Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ | $68,330 | 60 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $64,720 | 1,440 |
| Lake Havasu City-Kingman, AZ | $62,670 | 60 |
| Yuma, AZ | $61,610 | 50 |
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 Arizona statewide figures.
Related jobs in Tucson, AZ
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $71,480 | $34.37 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $36,550 | $17.57 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $34,420 | $16.55 |
| Nursing Assistant | $42,560 | $20.46 |
| Medical Assistant | $44,380 | $21.34 |
| Dental Assistant | $47,510 | $22.84 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $36,430 | $17.51 |
| Massage Therapist | $58,610 | $28.18 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $53,100 | $25.53 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $44,610 | $21.45 |
| Phlebotomist | $46,200 | $22.21 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $39,570 | $19.02 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $38,760 | $18.64 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Tucson, AZ
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 Tucson, AZ?
The median salary for physical therapist assistants in the Tucson, AZ metro area is $65,220 a year, or $31.36 an hour. Pay ranges from $44,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,690 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physical therapist assistants make in Tucson, AZ?
The top 10% of physical therapist assistants in the Tucson, AZ metro area earn at least $78,690 a year. The top 25% earn $74,260 or more.
What is the starting pay for physical therapist assistants in Tucson, AZ?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,750 a year, and a quarter of physical therapist assistants earn $57,860 or less.
How many physical therapist assistants work in Tucson, AZ?
About 260 physical therapist assistants are employed in the Tucson, AZ metro area, not counting the self-employed.