Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Bloomington, IN: $30.36 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Bloomington, IN runs $30.36 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $63,138 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Bloomington's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.1, 5% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.93 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,885 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Bloomington, Indiana, physical therapist assistants earn a median hourly pay of $30.36, which is notably lower than the national hourly median of $33.77. This hourly wage offers a competitive compensation for part-time positions, allowing individuals who work three days a week to achieve a comfortable income while still maintaining flexibility in their schedules. Given that physical therapist assistants (PTAs) may find work in various environments such as outpatient clinic gyms, skilled nursing facilities, home health visits, and hospitals, the flexibility of hourly pay becomes valuable for those balancing other responsibilities. Hourly earnings for PTAs vary significantly, with entry-level positions starting around $22.56 and experienced professionals earning up to $38.92, making it a viable field for both newcomers and those seeking better-paying roles.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.56 | $180.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.11 | $224.86 |
| Median (P50) | $30.36 | $242.85 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.58 | $292.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.92 | $311.40 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bloomington
Based on $30.36/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.36/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bloomington, IN can expect to earn approximately $63,142 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,428. With a cost-of-living index of 95.08 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Bloomington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bloomington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,214.27 | $5,262 | $63,142 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $728.56 | $3,157 | $37,885 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $485.71 | $2,105 | $25,257 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Bloomington) | $30.36 |
| 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 Bloomington, IN earn a median of $63,138 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.12% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 0.90% below the Indiana state average of $63,711.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.36/hr = $37,885/year (purchasing power: $39,844).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $63,142/year (purchasing power: $66,407).
CoL index: 95.084 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.41/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.55/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.36/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Bloomington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.41/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.83/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.66/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.13/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.69/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.50/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.55/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.36/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.19/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Bloomington grew 16.3% from $25.41/hr (2019) to $29.55/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.19/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 Bloomington 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 Bloomington
Exploring part-time earning potential, a physical therapist assistant working 24 hours a week can expect to take home approximately $37,505 annually if they maintain the median hourly rate. In comparison, full-time PTAs, who work a more standard schedule, will find their earnings significantly higher. For those opting for per diem roles, rates range from $32 to $48 per hour, making it a lucrative choice for some practitioners. However, agency positions, especially in skilled nursing facilities, are facing challenges due to Medicare reimbursement cuts that took effect in 2022. This creates a complex reality where hourly rates can differ based on the type of employer, with outpatient orthopedic clinics typically paying more than other settings like schools or pediatric clinics. Physical therapist assistants often face the choice between higher hourly rates without benefits or lower pay that includes health insurance. Negotiating an hourly rate can also play a crucial role in securing a favorable position in this evolving market, especially in Bloomington, where the cost of living is slightly below the national average.
More salary data for Bloomington, IN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Bloomington in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Bloomington?
Are physical therapist assistants in Bloomington paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Bloomington?
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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 Bloomington. 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, 4-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