Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Falls Church, VA: $33.52 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Falls Church, VA runs $33.52 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $69,722 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Falls Church's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.2, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $32.48 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $41,834 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Falls Church, Virginia, the projected hourly pay for physical therapist assistants stands at $33.52, slightly below the national median of $33.77. This wage facilitates various work arrangements, beneficial for both part-time workers and those pursuing per-diem positions typically found in outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and home health settings. For physical therapist assistants starting out in their careers, hourly rates range from $25.37 to $40.89, allowing for a solid entry point while still providing opportunities for higher earners. The hourly pay is derived from annual salary estimates but reflects the unique demands and responsibilities of PTAs in varying clinical environments within Falls Church.
About the Falls Church Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.37 | $202.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.33 | $242.61 |
| Median (P50) | $33.52 | $268.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.31 | $298.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.89 | $327.09 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Falls Church
Based on $33.52/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $33.52/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Falls Church, VA can expect to earn approximately $69,723 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $40,225. With a cost-of-living index of 103.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Falls Church.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Falls Church
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,340.83 | $5,810 | $69,723 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $804.50 | $3,486 | $41,834 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $536.33 | $2,324 | $27,889 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Falls Church) | $33.52 |
| 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 Falls Church, VA earn a median of $69,722 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.75% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 7.80% below the Virginia state average of $75,620.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $33.52/hr = $41,834/year (purchasing power: $40,537).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $69,723/year (purchasing power: $67,561).
CoL index: 103.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$28.05/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$32.63/hr
2026 Current Est.
$33.52/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Falls Church (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.05/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.52/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.19/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.95/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.58/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.19/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $32.63/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $33.52/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $34.44/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Falls Church grew 16.3% from $28.05/hr (2019) to $32.63/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $34.44/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 Falls Church 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 Falls Church
When considering part-time employment as a physical therapist assistant working three days a week, with a total of 24 hours, the annual income reflects a significant contrast compared to full-time positions. Depending on the hours worked each week, part-time PTAs could expect to earn around $41,697 annually, while those in per-diem roles can bill from $32 to $48 per hour. In the context of agency work, travel contracts often range from $1,200 to $1,800 weekly, despite recent changes in government reimbursements impacting pay rates in skilled nursing facilities—most noticeably due to the 15% Medicare cut that took effect in 2022. Furthermore, different workplace settings in Falls Church affect pay rates: outpatient orthopedic clinics often pay less than specialized pediatric or hospital settings, which may offer higher compensation but also come with stricter scheduling and patient loads. Prospective PTAs should consider the balance between hourly pay and benefits when negotiating their employment contracts; securing health coverage can often mean a lower hourly rate, but it could prove advantageous in the broader context of financial stability.
More salary data for Falls Church, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Falls Church in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Falls Church?
Are physical therapist assistants in Falls Church paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Falls Church?
Do physical therapist assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Falls Church?
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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 Falls Church. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Falls Church is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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