Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Tempe, AZ: $32.23 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Tempe, AZ runs $32.23 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $67,025 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Tempe's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.5, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.72 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $40,219 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Physical therapist assistants in Tempe, AZ, earn a median hourly rate of $32.23 in 2026, which is slightly lower than the national median of $33.77 per hour. This hourly pay offers a viable option for part-time or per-diem workers, allowing them to thrive in diverse settings such as outpatient clinic gyms, skilled nursing facilities, hospital inpatient rehab units, or pediatric therapy environments. For those starting in the profession, hourly rates can begin at $23.16, while experienced professionals may earn as much as $41.44. These figures reflect projections based on annual salary data but give a focused view of opportunities for PTAs operating on an hourly basis.
About the Tempe 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) | $23.16 | $185.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.50 | $227.98 |
| Median (P50) | $32.23 | $257.81 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.64 | $293.15 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.44 | $331.53 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Tempe
Based on $32.23/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.23/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Tempe, AZ can expect to earn approximately $67,031 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $38,672. With a cost-of-living index of 98.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Tempe.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Tempe
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,289.06 | $5,586 | $67,031 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $773.43 | $3,352 | $40,219 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $515.62 | $2,234 | $26,812 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Tempe) | $32.23 |
| 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 Tempe, AZ earn a median of $67,025 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.59% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 0.40% above the Arizona state average of $66,758.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.23/hr = $40,219/year (purchasing power: $40,831).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $67,031/year (purchasing power: $68,052).
CoL index: 98.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$26.97/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.37/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.23/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Tempe (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.97/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.42/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.07/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.80/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.40/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.39/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.37/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.23/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.11/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Tempe grew 16.3% from $26.97/hr (2019) to $31.37/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.11/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 Tempe 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 Tempe
For physical therapist assistants working part-time, such as those on a 24-hour weekly schedule, the annual earnings can differ significantly compared to full-timers. Those working 3 days a week may bring in just over $40,000 annually, but they enjoy the flexibility often sought by PTAs balancing multiple roles or education pathways, such as PTA-to-DPT bridge programs. In the per-diem realm, pay for physical therapist assistants in Tempe can vary widely, with common rates ranging from $32 to $48 per hour. Travel contracts, particularly, are lucrative and can yield $1,200 to $1,800 weekly. However, the 15% cut in Medicare reimbursement for PTA services that took effect in 2022 is still felt, especially in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), pushing some agencies to lower pay rates. Within different employer types, compensation might fluctuate; outpatient clinics may offer competitive rates but lack benefits, while skilled nursing facilities often provide additional perks like health insurance at the expense of higher wages. PTAs negotiating their pay should be aware of this trade-off, reflecting on the possible benefits of securing stability and healthcare versus the allure of higher hourly pay without those advantages.
More salary data for Tempe, AZ:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Tempe in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Tempe?
Are physical therapist assistants in Tempe paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Tempe?
Do physical therapist assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Tempe?
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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 Tempe. 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 Tempe 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