Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Vestavia Hills, AL: $29.12 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Vestavia Hills, AL runs $29.12 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $60,585 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Vestavia Hills's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.9, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.13 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,347 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Vestavia Hills, Alabama, the physical therapist assistant hourly pay sits at a median of $29.12, a figure that is notably lower than the national median hourly rate of $33.77. For professionals working part-time, such as those on a three-day workweek, this equates to a weekly income of approximately $696, which can still be attractive for balancing work and personal life. Per-diem positions are also an option, often seen in outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and home health settings, allowing for flexible schedules while earning within an hourly range from $20.91 for entry-level positions to $37.16 for experienced physical therapist assistants. The estimates also draw from annual data, reflecting the importance of understanding hourly dynamics within various work environments, including hospital inpatient units and pediatric therapy spaces.
About the Vestavia Hills Market
Salary estimated from Alabama average ($56,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.91 | $167.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.61 | $204.88 |
| Median (P50) | $29.12 | $232.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.24 | $265.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.16 | $297.26 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Vestavia Hills
Based on $29.12/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.12/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Vestavia Hills, AL can expect to earn approximately $60,578 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,949. With a cost-of-living index of 87.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Vestavia Hills.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Vestavia Hills
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,164.96 | $5,048 | $60,578 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $698.97 | $3,029 | $36,347 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $465.98 | $2,019 | $24,231 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Vestavia Hills) | $29.12 |
| 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 Vestavia Hills, AL earn a median of $60,585 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.75% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 4.00% below the Alabama state average of $63,109.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.12/hr = $36,347/year (purchasing power: $41,350).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $60,578/year (purchasing power: $68,917).
CoL index: 87.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.37/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.35/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.12/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Vestavia Hills (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.37/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.78/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.36/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.02/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.57/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.72/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.35/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.12/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.92/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Vestavia Hills grew 16.3% from $24.37/hr (2019) to $28.35/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.92/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 Vestavia Hills 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 Vestavia Hills
Focusing on the part-time earning potential, a physical therapist assistant in Vestavia Hills working 24 hours a week could bring home approximately $36,054 annually, creating a significant gap compared to full-time wages. For those considering per diem roles or agency contracts, pay rates typically range from $32 to $48 per hour, but limitations on agency salaries can arise, particularly after the implementation of the 15% Medicare cuts effective in 2022. Hourly pay can fluctuate depending on the employer type, with outpatient orthopedic clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and home health agencies offering diverse compensation packages. Many PTAs may choose to accept positions with lower hourly rates in exchange for health benefits, a trade-off worth considering for financial security. Negotiating a better rate is also influenced by the local demand for services and simply being informed about industry standards can provide leverage during discussions in Vestavia Hills. Understanding these nuances is critical for current students and newly minted graduates as they step into their roles, guided by APTA resources and potential pathways to a Doctorate in Physical Therapy (DPT).
More salary data for Vestavia Hills, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Vestavia Hills in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Vestavia Hills?
Are physical therapist assistants in Vestavia Hills paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Vestavia Hills?
Do physical therapist assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Vestavia Hills?
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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 Vestavia Hills. 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 Vestavia Hills 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