Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Tulsa, OK: $29.59 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Tulsa, OK runs $29.59 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $61,546 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Tulsa's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.2, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.16 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,924 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Tulsa, Oklahoma, the physical therapist assistant hourly pay stands at a median of $29.59, which falls short of the national median of $33.77. This discrepancy can impact part-time or per-diem workers who typically operate in various settings such as outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and home health visits. Those entering the field, earning around $13.06 per hour, may find it challenging to make ends meet, while seasoned professionals can earn up to $40.14. For physical therapist assistants practicing in Tulsa, the hourly rates reflect the local economic conditions, shaped by the ongoing adjustments in healthcare reimbursement policies and workplace dynamics.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $13.06 | $104.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.80 | $230.36 |
| Median (P50) | $29.59 | $236.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.35 | $306.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.14 | $321.09 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Tulsa
Based on $29.59/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.59/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Tulsa, OK can expect to earn approximately $61,539 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,503. With a cost-of-living index of 89.21 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Tulsa.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Tulsa
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,183.45 | $5,128 | $61,539 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $710.07 | $3,077 | $36,924 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $473.38 | $2,051 | $24,616 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Tulsa) | $29.59 |
| 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 Tulsa, OK earn a median of $61,546 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.39% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 1.40% below the Oklahoma state average of $62,419.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.59/hr = $36,924/year (purchasing power: $41,388).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $61,539/year (purchasing power: $68,980).
CoL index: 89.214 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$29.00/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.80/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.59/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+4.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Tulsa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.00/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.79/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.90/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.01/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $31.25/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.99/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.80/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.59/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.39/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Tulsa grew -0.7% from $29.00/hr (2019) to $28.80/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.39/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 Tulsa 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 Tulsa
Part-time physical therapist assistants working approximately 24 hours a week in Tulsa could expect to take home around $36,000 annually, a figure significantly lower than full-time counterparts. Per diem physical therapist assistant pay in Tulsa can range from $32 to $48 per hour depending on the setting, while travel contracts may offer between $1,200 and $1,800 per week. Skilled nursing facilities have seen their PTA pay affected by a 15% Medicare cut instituted in 2022, leading many professionals to consider opportunities in outpatient orthopedic clinics or pediatric settings for potentially better remuneration. Those in the profession often weigh the trade-off between a lower hourly rate that includes benefits and higher pay without health insurance. Negotiating effectively can influence earnings; understanding local market conditions and employer types can help PTAs secure a more favorable hourly rate in Tulsa’s healthcare landscape.
More salary data for Tulsa, OK:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Tulsa in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Tulsa?
Are physical therapist assistants in Tulsa paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Tulsa?
Do physical therapist assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Tulsa?
Related Pages
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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 Tulsa. 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