Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Philadelphia, PA: $35.34 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Philadelphia, PA runs $35.34 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $73,493 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Philadelphia's regional price level (BEA RPP 102.6, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $34.46 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $44,103 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Philadelphia, a physical therapist assistant earns a median hourly rate of $35.34, which exceeds the national hourly median of $33.77. This hourly rate offers promising opportunities for various work arrangements such as part-time schedules or per-diem positions found in outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and pediatric therapy spaces. Entry-level professionals can expect to start around $29.33 per hour, while top earners can reach up to $39.95 per hour depending on experience and work setting. These statistics, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics data projected for 2026, indicate a healthy demand for PTAs in Philadelphia's healthcare environment.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $29.33 | $234.64 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.85 | $246.80 |
| Median (P50) | $35.34 | $282.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.05 | $312.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.95 | $319.61 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Philadelphia
Based on $35.34/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $35.34/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Philadelphia, PA can expect to earn approximately $73,505 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $42,407. With a cost-of-living index of 102.55 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Philadelphia.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Philadelphia
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,413.56 | $6,125 | $73,505 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $848.14 | $3,675 | $44,103 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $565.43 | $2,450 | $29,402 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Philadelphia) | $35.34 |
| 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 Philadelphia, PA earn a median of $73,493 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.62% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 16.00% above the Pennsylvania state average of $63,356.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $35.34/hr = $44,103/year (purchasing power: $43,005).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $73,505/year (purchasing power: $71,675).
CoL index: 102.554 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$28.55/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$34.40/hr
2026 Current Est.
$35.34/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Philadelphia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.55/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $29.87/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.02/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.45/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.58/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.14/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $34.40/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35.34/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36.30/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Philadelphia grew 20.5% from $28.55/hr (2019) to $34.40/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $36.30/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 Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia
When considering part-time work, a PTA working three days a week can anticipate an annual income reflective of their reduced hours, benefitting those seeking more flexible schedules. For per diem physical therapist assistants in Philadelphia, pay rates can vary widely, generally falling between $32 and $48 per hour, depending on the facility and contract terms. Travel contracts often provide additional earning potential, with rates reaching up to $1,800 per week. However, in skilled nursing facilities, the impact of the 15% Medicare cut since 2022 has resulted in lower compensation rates, making agency work a nuanced choice. Physical therapist assistants might accept lower hourly pay in exchange for health benefits in full-time roles, while negotiating hourly rates necessitates understanding the variances in employer settings—from outpatient orthopedic clinics to pediatric and school therapy programs. Knowing your worth and contextualizing pay against specific settings in Philadelphia is vital for securing the best terms in this competitive field.
More salary data for Philadelphia, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Philadelphia in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Philadelphia?
Are physical therapist assistants in Philadelphia paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Philadelphia?
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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 Philadelphia. 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