Physical Therapist Assistant in Mississippi: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Allied healthcare
Mississippi employs 1,150 physical therapist assistants, with a statewide median of $61,770 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Mississippi licensing picture, and where to train.
What Physical therapist assistants Earn in Mississippi (May 2025)
- Mississippi median pay
- $61,770 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $51,720
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $71,560
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $78,830
- Employed in Mississippi
- 1,150
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $65,510 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for physical therapist assistants in major Mississippi markets:
- Jackson
- $62,100 (260 employed)
- Gulfport
- $61,820 (190 employed)
- Memphis
- $61,560 (490 employed)
- Hattiesburg
- $58,610 (90 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in Mississippi
Prices in Mississippi run about 13% below the national average (cost-of-living index 87.0 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $61,770 median stretches to roughly $71,000 in national buying-power terms.
Job Outlook in Mississippi (2024–2034)
Mississippi is projected to grow physical therapist assistants employment +42.1%, faster than the +22.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 260 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Mississippi License and Certification Requirements
Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) — regulated by the Mississippi State Board of Physical Therapy.
- Earn a CAPTE-accredited PTA associate degree.
- Pass the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) for PTAs.
- Apply to the Mississippi State Board of Physical Therapy.
Official requirements: Mississippi State Board of Physical Therapy →
Training in Mississippi
A 2-year associate leads to a well-paid, hands-on clinical role. Verify CAPTE accreditation and NPTE pass rates.
Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Mississippi include:
- Concorde Career College-Southaven — Associate
- Hinds Community College — Associate
- Holmes Community College — Associate
- Itawamba Community College — Associate
Where Physical therapist assistants Work in Mississippi
Real Mississippi outpatient rehab clinics that employ physical therapist assistants include:
- Reconnect Therapy and Wellness ( Bruce) — Bruce
- First Place Physical Therapy — Columbia
- Magnolia Outpatient Rehabilita — Columbus
- 360 Total Rehab — Flowood
- Outpatient Rehabilitation of F — Fulton
- River City Rehabilitation, LLC — Greenville
Is This the Right Move for You?
Best for: People who like active work and helping patients make visible progress.
Think twice if: You need low-contact work or dislike repetitive coaching and physical assistance.
Why it's resilient: Rehab work is physical, relationship-based, adaptive, and centered on coaching real movement.
First Steps
Look for CAPTE-accredited PTA programs in your state.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Mississippi?
The median wage for physical therapist assistants in Mississippi is $61,770 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $51,720, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $78,830. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Physical Therapist Assistant in Mississippi?
Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA), overseen by the Mississippi State Board of Physical Therapy. Earn a CAPTE-accredited PTA associate degree.
Is being a Physical Therapist Assistant a good career in Mississippi?
Rehab work is physical, relationship-based, adaptive, and centered on coaching real movement.
Which Mississippi metros pay physical therapist assistants the most?
Among Mississippi metro areas, Jackson leads at $62,100, followed by Gulfport ($61,820), Memphis ($61,560). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.
Where can I train to become a Physical Therapist Assistant in Mississippi?
Real Mississippi options include Concorde Career College-Southaven, Hinds Community College, Holmes Community College. Most physical therapist assistants start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.
Is Physical Therapist Assistant a growing career in Mississippi?
Mississippi projects physical therapist assistants employment to change +42.1% from 2024 to 2034, with about 260 openings a year — a growing field in the state.
Sources and Verification
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Mississippi statewide and metro estimates for SOC 31-2021. Licensing summary compiled from the Mississippi State Board of Physical Therapy (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.
BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Mississippi wages · Mississippi licensing/certification source
Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities; Employer lists from CMS Provider of Services, the FAA Part 145 directory, EIA Form 860, and USGS/state EMS registries (2026).
Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.