Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Beckley, WV: $29.34 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Beckley, WV runs $29.34 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $61,022 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Beckley's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.4, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.20 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,616 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, physical therapist assistants in Beckley, West Virginia can expect a median hourly pay of $29.34, which falls short of the national median of $33.77. This difference may influence job choices for professionals in this field, particularly those considering part-time or per-diem opportunities. With physical therapist assistants often working in settings such as outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and home health situations, the hourly rate can significantly impact work-life balance. The hourly pay range for this profession in Beckley extends from $23.63 for entry-level positions to $41.18 for top earners, reflecting the varied experience and responsibilities that different settings entail. This data is based on 2025 BLS OEWS figures, projected to 2026.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.63 | $189.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.74 | $189.93 |
| Median (P50) | $29.34 | $234.72 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.06 | $280.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.18 | $329.48 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Beckley
Based on $29.34/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.34/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Beckley, WV can expect to earn approximately $61,027 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,208. With a cost-of-living index of 88.37 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Beckley.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Beckley
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,173.59 | $5,086 | $61,027 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $704.15 | $3,051 | $36,616 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $469.44 | $2,034 | $24,411 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Beckley) | $29.34 |
| 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 Beckley, WV earn a median of $61,022 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.13% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 0.90% below the West Virginia state average of $61,576.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.34/hr = $36,616/year (purchasing power: $41,435).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $61,027/year (purchasing power: $69,059).
CoL index: 88.369 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.24/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.56/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.34/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Beckley (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.24/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.49/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.45/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.83/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.95/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.91/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.56/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.34/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.14/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Beckley grew 17.8% from $24.24/hr (2019) to $28.56/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.14/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 Beckley 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 Beckley
For those considering part-time work, a physical therapist assistant working three days a week (around 24 hours) can expect to take home approximately $36,000 annually, a notable difference compared to full-time counterparts. However, per diem physical therapist assistants in Beckley may find that they can command rates ranging from $32 to $48 per hour, especially if they seek agency or travel positions, where contracts typically pay between $1,200 and $1,800 per week. The decline in reimbursement rates from Medicare, which saw a 15% cut effective in 2022, has influenced hourly rates, particularly in skilled nursing facilities. Different employment settings offer varying hourly rates; for instance, outpatient clinics may provide different pay structures compared to home health agencies. Some PTAs may prioritize health benefits over hourly rates, which can present a trade-off between higher pay with no benefits and lower pay with comprehensive coverage. When negotiating pay, professionals should highlight any specialization or additional certifications, as these can influence their bargaining position within Beckley’s job market.
More salary data for Beckley, WV:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Beckley in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Beckley?
Are physical therapist assistants in Beckley paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Beckley?
Do physical therapist assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Beckley?
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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 Beckley. 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