Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Pittsburgh, PA: $27.67 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Pittsburgh, PA runs $27.67 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $57,549 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Pittsburgh's regional price level (BEA RPP 94.7, 5% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.22 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,526 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Pittsburgh, the physical therapist assistant hourly pay stands at a median rate of $27.67, substantially lower than the national median of $33.77. This rate offers insights into the earnings potential for part-time workers, such as those employed three days a week, who might find reasonable flexibility across various settings including outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and pediatric therapy spaces. The hourly pay range in the city varies as well, with entry-level positions starting around $24.50 and top earners making up to $36.83 per hour, according to projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data. This information paints a detailed picture of the local job market for physical therapist assistants in Pittsburgh for 2026, helping potential candidates assess their likely financial outcomes based on their commitments and work environments.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.50 | $196.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.94 | $199.54 |
| Median (P50) | $27.67 | $221.32 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.37 | $250.99 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $36.83 | $294.63 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Pittsburgh
Based on $27.67/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.67/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Pittsburgh, PA can expect to earn approximately $57,544 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,198. With a cost-of-living index of 94.67 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Pittsburgh.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Pittsburgh
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,106.61 | $4,795 | $57,544 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $663.96 | $2,877 | $34,526 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $442.64 | $1,918 | $23,017 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Pittsburgh) | $27.67 |
| 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 Pittsburgh, PA earn a median of $57,549 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.08% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 9.20% below the Pennsylvania state average of $63,380.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.67/hr = $34,526/year (purchasing power: $36,470).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $57,544/year (purchasing power: $60,783).
CoL index: 94.671 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$27.29/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.93/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.67/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+4.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Pittsburgh (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.29/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.30/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.86/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.44/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.79/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.87/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.93/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.67/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.42/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Pittsburgh grew -1.3% from $27.29/hr (2019) to $26.93/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.42/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 Pittsburgh 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 Pittsburgh
For part-time physical therapist assistants working 24 hours a week, the annual take-home pay can differ significantly from that of full-time employees. Per diem physical therapist assistant pay in Pittsburgh commonly ranges from $32 to $48 per hour, with travel contracts netting between $1,200 and $1,800 per week; however, these rates may decline due to recent adjustments in Medicare reimbursement policies. Different employer types drive fluctuations in hourly rates, with outpatient clinics and home health agencies often offering varied compensation packages. Some professionals might choose positions with lower hourly wages that provide added benefits, such as health insurance, over higher-paying roles without these perks. Hence, effective negotiation is crucial; PTAs should approach discussions with potential employers armed with knowledge of local pay trends and remain open to leveraging their experience and specialties when securing favorable terms.
More salary data for Pittsburgh, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Pittsburgh in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Pittsburgh?
Are physical therapist assistants in Pittsburgh paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Pittsburgh?
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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 Pittsburgh. 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