Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Surprise, AZ: $32.02 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Surprise, AZ runs $32.02 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $66,600 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Surprise's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.5, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.51 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,962 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Surprise, Arizona, the projected median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants is $32.02, which is slightly below the national median of $33.77. This rate provides a solid foundation for part-time professionals, such as those working three days a week in varied settings like outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and home health agencies. For entry-level physical therapist assistants just beginning their careers, the hourly pay starts at around $22.68, while more experienced professionals can earn up to $42.84 per hour. The range of hourly pay reflects the diverse needs of the healthcare system in Surprise, where many PTAs operate under the supervision of physical therapists, adhering to state and Medicare guidelines.
About the Surprise Market
Salary estimated from Arizona average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.68 | $181.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.08 | $224.61 |
| Median (P50) | $32.02 | $256.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.40 | $299.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42.84 | $342.71 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Surprise
Based on $32.02/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.02/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Surprise, AZ can expect to earn approximately $66,604 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $38,425. With a cost-of-living index of 98.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Surprise.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Surprise
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,280.84 | $5,550 | $66,604 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $768.50 | $3,330 | $39,962 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $512.34 | $2,220 | $26,641 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Surprise) | $32.02 |
| 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 Surprise, AZ earn a median of $66,600 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.19% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 0.20% below the Arizona state average of $66,733.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.02/hr = $39,962/year (purchasing power: $40,571).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $66,604/year (purchasing power: $67,618).
CoL index: 98.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$26.80/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.17/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.02/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Surprise (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.80/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.25/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.89/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.61/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.21/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.19/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.17/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.02/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.90/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Surprise grew 16.3% from $26.80/hr (2019) to $31.17/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.90/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 Surprise 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 Surprise
Considering a part-time schedule, a physical therapist assistant working 24 hours per week would take home approximately $39,626 annually, significantly less than a full-time counterpart earning their wage consistently throughout the year. Per diem and agency roles for physical therapist assistants often offer compensation between $32 and $48 per hour, with travel PTA contracts fetching between $1,200 and $1,800 weekly. However, this sector has seen some fluctuation in pay rates due to the impact of the 2022 Medicare cut, which has affected billing practices in skilled nursing facilities and forced many agencies to adjust their pay scales. Hourly compensation can vary between different employer types—outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, and pediatric offices—each presenting a unique set of benefits and trade-offs. For those negotiating pay, understanding the balance between higher hourly rates without benefits and slightly lower rates with health coverage is crucial for long-term financial and career planning in this field.
More salary data for Surprise, AZ:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Surprise in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Surprise?
Are physical therapist assistants in Surprise paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Surprise?
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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 Surprise. 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 Surprise 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