Physical Therapist Assistant Salary Overview in Louisiana
Careerclev's modeled 2026 benchmark places Physical Therapist Assistant pay in Louisiana at about $63,888.0 per year. On the latest official statewide BLS baseline, the range runs from about $22,180.0 at the lower end to $82,590.0 for top earners.
This guide covers the full statewide Physical Therapist Assistant salary picture first, then compares metro markets inside Louisiana where BLS data is available — making it useful for candidates who want a broader view beyond any single city.
Louisiana Physical Therapist Assistant Salary vs the U.S. Average
The statewide median for Physical Therapist Assistant roles in Louisiana is $63,888.0, compared with a U.S. median of $65,510.0. That gap of -2% helps readers see whether this state sits in a premium salary market, a near-national market, or a lower-cost salary market relative to the rest of the country.
| Benchmark | Louisiana | United States | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Projected annual salary | $63,888.0 | $65,510.0 | -2% vs U.S. |
| Entry-level benchmark | $28,653.0 | $47,911.0 | -40% vs U.S. |
| Senior-level benchmark | $78,740.0 | $80,511.0 | -2% vs U.S. |
| Top baseline wage range | $82,590.0 | $87,630.0 | -6% vs U.S. |
| Projected hourly equivalent | $29 | $32 | 1,500 state jobs |
Physical Therapist Assistant Salary by Experience Level in Louisiana
Statewide experience bands help show how much of the salary story comes from growing responsibility, not location alone. Even inside one state, the distance between entry-level and senior pay can be wide enough to change how attractive the long-term path looks.
| Level | Experience | Projected Salary | Projected Range | Vs U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level Physical Therapist Assistant | 0-2 years | $28,653.0 | $23,101.0 - $63,888.0 | -56% vs U.S. |
| Mid-Level Physical Therapist Assistant | 3-5 years | $63,888.0 | $28,653.0 - $78,740.0 | -2% vs U.S. |
| Senior Physical Therapist Assistant | 6-10 years | $78,740.0 | $63,888.0 - $86,021.0 | +20% vs U.S. |
| Lead / Principal Physical Therapist Assistant | 10+ years | $86,021.0 | $78,740.0 - $104,945 | +31% vs U.S. |
Physical Therapist Assistant Salary by City in Louisiana
City-level differences inside Louisiana can be large. Stronger salary metro areas often combine dense employers, specialized industries, and stronger competition for experienced Physical Therapist Assistant talent.
| City / Metro | Projected Salary | Projected Range | Vs State | Market Signal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houma, LA | $66,130.0 | $21,990.0 - $80,170.0 | +4% vs U.S. | Competitive metro |
| Shreveport, LA | $64,260.0 | $23,020.0 - $79,580.0 | Near national | Competitive metro |
| Lake Charles, LA | $62,640.0 | $21,310.0 - $82,990.0 | -2% vs U.S. | Value market |
| New Orleans, LA | $62,630.0 | $24,030.0 - $82,320.0 | -2% vs U.S. | Value market |
| Slidell, LA | $60,320.0 | $21,750.0 - $81,100.0 | -6% vs U.S. | Value market |
| Monroe, LA | $59,810.0 | $20,730.0 - $84,070.0 | -6% vs U.S. | Value market |
| Alexandria, LA | $58,640.0 | $22,170.0 - $79,760.0 | -8% vs U.S. | Value market |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $57,680.0 | $22,510.0 - $87,640.0 | -10% vs U.S. | Value market |
Physical Therapist Assistant Salary by Industry in Louisiana
Industry mix is one of the strongest drivers behind pay differences inside a state. Stronger salary industry rows usually reflect employers that place the role closer to revenue, specialized operations, or hard-to-source talent.
| Industry | Modeled Salary | Reference Range | Signal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $70,580.0 | $57,470.0 - $105,850 | Stronger salary |
| Administrative, Support, Waste Management, and Remediation Services | $69,530.0 | $31,200.0 - $98,810.0 | Stronger salary |
| Government, Schools, Hospitals, and Postal Service | $65,530.0 | $46,530.0 - $85,350.0 | Stronger salary |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | $65,510.0 | $46,350.0 - $87,500.0 | Competitive |
| Educational Services | $62,160.0 | $43,130.0 - $86,300.0 | Competitive |
| Government Excluding Schools, Hospitals, and Postal Service | $60,470.0 | $44,380.0 - $79,660.0 | Competitive |
Entry-Level Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Louisiana
Entry-level pay in Louisiana for physical therapist assistant usually starts near the lower statewide wage band, then rises as candidates move from supervised work into independent delivery. The first major salary jump often comes from handling broader scope, changing employers, or moving into stronger local metro markets.
| Stage | Typical Salary | Timeline | Key Signal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intern / trainee | $19.6K - $25.4K | Pre-full-time | Foundational proof |
| Entry-level | $28,653.0 | 0-2 years | Structured support and learning |
| Promotion-ready junior | $30.9K - $35.0K | 12-24 months | Independent delivery |
| Mid-level target | $63,888.0 | 18-30 months | Broader ownership |
Public vs Private-Sector Pay in Louisiana
The state salary dataset here does not label every wage row by public or private ownership, so this section models the comparison from statewide salary levels and the industry spread visible in the data. It is best read as pay guidance, not as a direct government-vs-private wage census.
| Employer Type | Estimated Salary | Best Match | How It Is Modeled |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public / institutional style | $65,530.0 | Government, Schools, Hospitals, and Postal Service | Anchored to lower-variance industry rows and the statewide baseline |
| Private-market baseline | $63,888.0 | Louisiana commercial employers | Uses the core statewide median as the middle market |
| Top private-sector path | $70,580.0 | Management of Companies and Enterprises | Anchored to the strongest visible industry pay rows |
Remote vs Onsite Physical Therapist Assistant Pay in Louisiana
Remote and hybrid work can change the salary story for a state page because the employer market may be broader than the worker’s home location. Where direct remote comp data is available, it is shown below; otherwise the fallback rows use the local salary benchmark as the base case.
| Work Type | Estimated Salary | Experience | Best Fit | Flexibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Remote | $63,888.0 | Market dependent | National hiring pools | High |
| Hybrid | $65,804.6 | Metro dependent | Louisiana employers | Medium |
| Onsite | $64,526.9 | Location dependent | Local teams and offices | Lower |
The best remote comparison is total pay after commute, housing pressure, and access to stronger employer markets. A lower-cost metro paired with national hiring access can outperform a higher nominal local salary.
Cost of Living for Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Louisiana
A state salary should be read alongside rent, taxes, commuting, and the mix of high-cost and lower-cost metro areas inside the state. The same Physical Therapist Assistant salary can feel very different across Louisiana.
| Market | Projected Salary | Monthly | Vs State | Modeled Cost Signal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houma, LA | $66,130.0 | $5.5K | +4% vs U.S. | Balanced metro |
| Shreveport, LA | $64,260.0 | $5.4K | Near national | Balanced metro |
| Lake Charles, LA | $62,640.0 | $5.2K | -2% vs U.S. | Lower-cost signal |
| New Orleans, LA | $62,630.0 | $5.2K | -2% vs U.S. | Lower-cost signal |
| Slidell, LA | $60,320.0 | $5.0K | -6% vs U.S. | Lower-cost signal |
| Monroe, LA | $59,810.0 | $5.0K | -6% vs U.S. | Lower-cost signal |
Leading Salary Cities in Louisiana
Statewide averages flatten the most important local differences. This ranking brings those differences back into view by showing which cities and metros inside Louisiana create the strongest salary benchmarks for this role.
| City / Metro | Projected Salary | Projected Range | Vs State |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houma, LA | $66,130.0 | $21,990.0 - $80,170.0 | +4% vs U.S. |
| Shreveport, LA | $64,260.0 | $23,020.0 - $79,580.0 | Near national |
| Lake Charles, LA | $62,640.0 | $21,310.0 - $82,990.0 | -2% vs U.S. |
| New Orleans, LA | $62,630.0 | $24,030.0 - $82,320.0 | -2% vs U.S. |
| Slidell, LA | $60,320.0 | $21,750.0 - $81,100.0 | -6% vs U.S. |
| Monroe, LA | $59,810.0 | $20,730.0 - $84,070.0 | -6% vs U.S. |
| Alexandria, LA | $58,640.0 | $22,170.0 - $79,760.0 | -8% vs U.S. |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $57,680.0 | $22,510.0 - $87,640.0 | -10% vs U.S. |
| Lafayette, LA | $50,870.0 | $21,170.0 - $79,580.0 | -20% vs U.S. |
| Hammond, LA | $29,620.0 | $22,190.0 - $79,470.0 | -54% vs U.S. |
Physical Therapist Assistant Salary Trends in Louisiana Over Time
* 2024–2026 values are modeled estimates extending from the last confirmed BLS benchmark. The last confirmed BLS figure ($61.3K, 2024) is extended with recent wage trend history, employment outlook, and tech-market signals where available, then replaced when official data is published.
Physical Therapist Assistant Demand Outlook in Louisiana
Career growth inside Louisiana is best read through two lenses: the local salary ladder and the broader national demand outlook. The salary ladder shows how compensation expands with responsibility, while the outlook data shows whether employers are likely to keep competing for talent.
| Metric | 2026 Outlook |
|---|---|
| Projected employment | 111.5k → 136k |
| Typical education | Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. |
| Related experience | Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job. |
| State market anchor | 1,500 jobs with a median of $63,888.0 |
Factors That Affect Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Louisiana
State salary is shaped by more than the job title. Metro concentration, local industry strength, training expectations, and the size of the in-state employer market all influence where pay ultimately settles.
How to Increase Your Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Louisiana
Salary growth tends to come fastest when candidates combine stronger proof of impact, better-paying market selection, and negotiation with current state and U.S. benchmarks in hand.
| Move | Why It Helps | Timeline | Avg. Salary Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Benchmark against stronger markets | Compare national, metro, and industry salary facts before negotiating so your target range is grounded in current wage data. | 1-3 months | +15-30% |
| Build a visible specialization | Prioritize skills such as high-demand role-specific skills; O*NET relevance scores make these good first candidates for portfolio and resume positioning. | 3-9 months | $7.7K - $17.9K |
| Target higher-paying industries | Use industry salary facts to identify sectors that already pay above the occupation baseline. | 2-6 months | $5.1K - $11.5K |
Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Louisiana: FAQs
These questions usually come up after readers compare the statewide benchmark with city differences, experience bands, and demand signals. They are here to clear up the parts of the salary picture that still feel uncertain after the main sections.
These FAQs focus on how readers searching for "Physical Therapist Assistant" compare statewide salary levels, metro differences, and career progression across the state.
What is the average Physical Therapist Assistant in Louisianas salary?⌄
What is the entry-level Physical Therapist Assistant in Louisianas salary?⌄
How much can senior Physical Therapist Assistant in Louisianas professionals earn?⌄
Does location affect Physical Therapist Assistant in Louisianas salary?⌄
Which skills matter for Physical Therapist Assistant in Louisianas salary growth?⌄
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