Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Dodge City, KS: $29.04 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Dodge City, KS runs $29.04 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $60,409 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Dodge City's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.9, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.95 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,244 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Dodge City, Kansas, physical therapist assistants can expect a median hourly pay of $29.04, which is notably lower than the national median hourly rate of $33.77. This rate reflects the financial landscape for PTAs in local settings such as outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, home health visits, and hospital inpatient rehab units. For part-time physical therapist assistants working three days a week, this hourly rate translates to roughly $25,000 annually, making these opportunities appealing for individuals seeking flexibility and work-life balance. Newer entrants into this field might earn as little as $21.03 per hour, whereas more experienced professionals can command upwards of $36.24 per hour, revealing a wide spectrum of earning potential that is important for those considering careers in this profession.
About the Dodge City Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.03 | $168.23 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.67 | $205.38 |
| Median (P50) | $29.04 | $232.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $32.65 | $261.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $36.24 | $289.95 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Dodge City
Based on $29.04/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.04/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Dodge City, KS can expect to earn approximately $60,407 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,850. With a cost-of-living index of 90.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Dodge City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Dodge City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,161.67 | $5,034 | $60,407 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $697.00 | $3,020 | $36,244 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $464.67 | $2,014 | $24,163 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Dodge City) | $29.04 |
| 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 Dodge City, KS earn a median of $60,409 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.00% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 5.40% below the Kansas state average of $63,858.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.04/hr = $36,244/year (purchasing power: $39,873).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $60,407/year (purchasing power: $66,454).
CoL index: 90.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.31/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.27/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.04/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Dodge City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.31/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.71/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.29/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.95/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.49/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.81/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.27/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.04/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.83/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Dodge City grew 16.3% from $24.31/hr (2019) to $28.27/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.83/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 Dodge City 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 Dodge City
When assessing part-time earning potential, a physical therapist assistant working a 24-hour week would make a modest annual income compared to full-time counterparts. Per diem physical therapist assistants in Dodge City typically earn between $32 and $48 per hour, while travel PTA contracts offer a more lucrative alternative, with weekly pay ranging from $1,200 to $1,800. However, with the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut that took effect in 2022, many skilled nursing facilities now provide reduced pay for agency PTAs. This disparity creates a trade-off between selecting positions that offer healthcare benefits at a lower hourly wage versus those that pay higher rates without benefits. Moreover, aspiring PTAs in Dodge City may benefit from negotiating strategies that emphasize the skills developed through accredited programs and pathways to advanced degrees, such as PTA-to-DPT bridge programs, while also keeping in mind the current employment market dynamics.
More salary data for Dodge City, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Dodge City in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Dodge City?
Are physical therapist assistants in Dodge City paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Dodge City?
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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 Dodge City. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Dodge City is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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