Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Erie, PA: $29.20 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Erie, PA runs $29.20 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $60,734 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Erie's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.0, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.10 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,436 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Erie, Pennsylvania, physical therapist assistants earn a median hourly rate of $29.20, which is notably lower than the national median of $33.77. For those working part-time or in per-diem positions, this hourly pay can translate well into varied working arrangements typical within outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, home health settings, and hospital rehabilitation units. The hourly rate spans from $22.57 at entry-level positions to $35.14 for experienced professionals, reflecting the potential for salary growth as more skills and responsibilities are acquired. This data, drawn from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and projected for 2026, provides a solid framework for understanding earnings potential in Erie.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.57 | $180.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.44 | $211.54 |
| Median (P50) | $29.20 | $233.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.67 | $253.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $35.14 | $281.15 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Erie
Based on $29.20/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.20/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Erie, PA can expect to earn approximately $60,727 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,035. With a cost-of-living index of 90.95 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Erie.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Erie
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,167.83 | $5,061 | $60,727 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $700.70 | $3,036 | $36,436 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $467.13 | $2,024 | $24,291 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Erie) | $29.20 |
| 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 Erie, PA earn a median of $60,734 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.54% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 4.10% below the Pennsylvania state average of $63,331.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.20/hr = $36,436/year (purchasing power: $40,062).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $60,727/year (purchasing power: $66,770).
CoL index: 90.95 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$26.00/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.42/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.20/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+15.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Erie (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.00/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.31/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.76/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.26/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.41/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.57/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.42/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.20/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.99/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Erie grew 9.3% from $26.00/hr (2019) to $28.42/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.99/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 Erie 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 Erie
Those looking at part-time opportunities, such as a physical therapist assistant working three days a week, could anticipate a gross annual income based on 24 hours weekly at a rate of $29.20, considerably less compared to full-time positions. Per diem physical therapist assistant pay in Erie can vary significantly, often ranging from $32 to $48 per hour, with travel contracts offering $1,200 to $1,800 per week. The landscape of hourly wages differs based on employer types—whether they work in outpatient orthopedic clinics, skilled nursing facilities, or home health agencies. Some PTAs accept lower hourly pay to enjoy benefits like health insurance, while others might prefer higher pay without such perks. Negotiating hourly rates can hinge on individual expertise and the specific demands of the role, making it crucial for physical therapist assistants in PA to understand market rates and adjust their expectations accordingly.
More salary data for Erie, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Erie in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Erie?
Are physical therapist assistants in Erie paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Erie?
Do physical therapist assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Erie?
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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 Erie. 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