Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Birmingham, AL: $30.81 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Birmingham, AL runs $30.81 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $64,083 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Birmingham's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.6, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.62 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,449 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Birmingham, Alabama, individuals working as physical therapist assistants can expect a median hourly pay of $30.81, which is below the national median of $33.77. This hourly rate is significant for professionals who may work part-time—such as those on a 3-day work week—or seek per-diem opportunities, offering flexibility across a variety of clinical settings. Part-time PTAs could find themselves within the lower end of the pay scale, earning around $17.77 per hour, while the more seasoned professionals at the top of the spectrum can command up to $39.05. The data indicates a wide range of positions from outpatient clinic gyms to skilled nursing facilities, reflecting not only the diversity of care environments but also the varying levels of experience and specialization within the field.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.77 | $142.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.18 | $225.43 |
| Median (P50) | $30.81 | $246.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.61 | $292.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.05 | $312.38 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Birmingham
Based on $30.81/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.81/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Birmingham, AL can expect to earn approximately $64,082 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,970. With a cost-of-living index of 91.64 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Birmingham.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Birmingham
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,232.35 | $5,340 | $64,082 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $739.41 | $3,204 | $38,449 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $492.94 | $2,136 | $25,633 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Birmingham) | $30.81 |
| 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 Birmingham, AL earn a median of $64,083 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.77% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 1.50% above the Alabama state average of $63,136.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.81/hr = $38,449/year (purchasing power: $41,955).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $64,082/year (purchasing power: $69,925).
CoL index: 91.644 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$28.29/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.99/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.81/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+11.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Birmingham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.29/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.62/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.68/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.62/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.61/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.29/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.99/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.81/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.65/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Birmingham grew 6.0% from $28.29/hr (2019) to $29.99/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.65/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 Birmingham 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 Birmingham
Examining the annual revenue potential for a part-time PTA working 24 hours a week, they would likely take home around $38,398, which is considerably less than their full-time counterparts. Per diem physical therapist assistant pay in Birmingham can vary greatly, with rates typically ranging from $32 to $48 per hour, particularly in agency and locum positions. Travel PTA contracts often yield between $1,200 and $1,800 a week, but potential pay decreases in skilled nursing facilities due to the 15% Medicare cut that took effect in 2022. Moreover, hourly rates commonly fluctuate based on employer types, with outpatient orthopedic clinics, skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, and pediatric clinics each offering distinct compensation frameworks. While some PTAs might opt for positions with lower hourly rates because of the benefits offered, others might pursue higher-paying roles while foregoing health insurance, weighing their options carefully. Negotiation becomes pivotal in this scenario, and candidates should understand their value and be prepared to articulate it, especially in a competitive market like Birmingham, AL.
More salary data for Birmingham, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Birmingham. 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