Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in San Juan, PR: $14.98 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in San Juan, PR runs $14.98 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $31,158 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Puerto Rico's regional price level (BEA RPP 75.0, 25% below national), each hour of work buys what $19.97 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $18,693 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In San Juan, Puerto Rico, the physical therapist assistant hourly pay is projected to be $14.98 in 2026, significantly lower than the national median of $33.77. This disparity presents a challenge for part-time and per-diem workers who seek to balance hours in diverse settings like outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, home health visits, hospital rehabilitation, and pediatric therapy environments. Entry-level practitioners can expect to earn around $11.09, while those at the higher end of the spectrum may reach $33.14. These figures reflect the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data and indicate that even as the profession grows at an annual rate of 2.73%, financial considerations must be a crucial part of career planning for future physical therapist assistants.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $11.09 | $88.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $12.60 | $100.84 |
| Median (P50) | $14.98 | $119.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $17.80 | $142.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $33.14 | $265.13 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in San Juan
Based on $14.98/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $14.98/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in San Juan, PR can expect to earn approximately $31,154 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $17,974.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in San Juan
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $599.12 | $2,596 | $31,154 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $359.47 | $1,558 | $18,693 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $239.65 | $1,038 | $12,462 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (San Juan) | $14.98 |
| 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 San Juan, PR earn a median of $31,158 per year (2026 est.), which is 55.65% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 40.90% below the Puerto Rico state average of $52,721.
2019 BLS Actual
$10.60/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$14.58/hr
2026 Current Est.
$14.98/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+45.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in San Juan (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $10.60/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $10.68/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $11.14/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $11.41/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $12.33/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $11.90/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $14.58/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $14.98/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $15.39/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in San Juan grew 37.5% from $10.60/hr (2019) to $14.58/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $15.39/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 San Juan 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 San Juan
Examining the financial landscape further, a part-time physical therapist assistant working three days a week—totaling approximately 24 hours—could expect to earn around $18,662 annually, in contrast to their full-time counterparts who may average significantly higher pay. Per diem physical therapist assistants’ earnings in San Juan can vary widely, often billing at rates between $32 and $48 per hour, which can present more lucrative options but may come without the stability of full-time work. It's also worthwhile to acknowledge that hourly rates fluctuate based on the employer type; for instance, outpatient orthopedic clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and home health agencies offer different compensation structures. Consequently, negotiations for hourly rates can hinge on benefits: some may choose lower rates in exchange for health insurance, while others pursue higher hourly rates without such safety nets. Aspiring professionals are encouraged to consider these factors while working towards their careers, including potential pathways from PTA to Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) programs to enhance their expertise and earning potential.
More salary data for San Juan, PR:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in San Juan in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in San Juan?
Are physical therapist assistants in San Juan paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in San Juan?
Do physical therapist assistants earn more per hour working part-time in San Juan?
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 San Juan. 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