Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Fayetteville, AR: $36.10 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Fayetteville, AR runs $36.10 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $75,096 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Fayetteville's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.4, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $39.52 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $45,052 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fayetteville, the physical therapist assistant hourly pay is projected at $36.10, notably higher than the national median of $33.77. This competitive pay scale allows part-time workers, who typically might schedule three days a week, to earn a living wage while engaging in meaningful work within various settings such as outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and hospitals. For these part-time professionals, working about 24 hours weekly can provide them with the necessary income to cover expenses while also allowing for a flexible work-life balance. The hourly compensation ranges significantly—from entry-level positions earning around $17.49 to seasoned professionals reaching approximately $44.08—highlighting the diverse opportunities within this field as per the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.49 | $139.96 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.03 | $232.25 |
| Median (P50) | $36.10 | $288.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.45 | $315.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44.08 | $352.65 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fayetteville
Based on $36.10/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $36.10/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fayetteville, AR can expect to earn approximately $75,087 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $43,319. With a cost-of-living index of 91.35 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Fayetteville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fayetteville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,443.97 | $6,257 | $75,087 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $866.38 | $3,754 | $45,052 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $577.59 | $2,503 | $30,035 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Fayetteville) | $36.10 |
| Physical Therapist (National Avg) | $48.65 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (National Avg) | $33.15 |
| Athletic Trainer (National Avg) | $27.85 |
| Massage Therapist (National Avg) | $27.10 |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Fayetteville, AR earn a median of $75,096 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.90% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 15.50% above the Arkansas state average of $65,018.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $36.10/hr = $45,052/year (purchasing power: $49,316).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $75,087/year (purchasing power: $82,194).
CoL index: 91.353 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$27.72/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$35.14/hr
2026 Current Est.
$36.10/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Fayetteville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.72/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.57/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.31/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.78/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $31.07/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.64/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $35.14/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36.10/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $37.08/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Fayetteville grew 26.8% from $27.72/hr (2019) to $35.14/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $37.08/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem physical therapist assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fayetteville metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.73% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Physical Therapist Assistant in Fayetteville
Shifting gears to analyze earning potential, a part-time physical therapist assistant in Fayetteville who works three days a week can realistically bring home about $45,000 annually. This figure starkly contrasts with full-time earnings, which can reach above $75,000, showcasing the significant impact of work hours on overall income. Per diem physical therapist assistant pay in Fayetteville typically varies between $32 to $48 per hour, with agency contracts for travel PTAs seeing weekly pay from $1,200 to $1,800. However, the recent 15% Medicare cut has influenced pay structures in many heavily Medicare-reliant sectors, including skilled nursing facilities. Consequently, some PTAs opt for positions offering lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits such as health insurance. For those negotiating their hourly rate, being aware of employer types—whether in outpatient clinics, SNFs, or school programs—can provide leverage during discussions regarding pay and benefits.
More salary data for Fayetteville, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Fayetteville in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Fayetteville?
Are physical therapist assistants in Fayetteville paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Fayetteville?
Do physical therapist assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Fayetteville?
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Written by Jordan Lee, DPT
Career Analyst
Jordan has 10 years of experience in outpatient physical therapy. They specialize in orthopedic rehabilitation. Jordan works in a private practice setting.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for physical therapist assistants in Fayetteville. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.73%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physical therapist assistants (SOC 31-2021).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, DPT, a licensed physical therapist assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov