Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Little Rock, AR: $31.66 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Little Rock, AR runs $31.66 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $65,860 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Little Rock's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.4, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $35.43 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,513 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Little Rock, Arkansas, physical therapist assistants earn a median hourly rate of $31.66, which is slightly lower than the national median of $33.77. This hourly pay reflects the diverse settings where PTAs work, such as outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and home health environments, making it a viable option for part-time and per-diem professionals. For those considering part-time roles, working three days a week can provide consistent income while allowing for flexibility. Newcomers to the field can expect to begin earning around $15.42 per hour, while experienced professionals in specialized roles can reach up to $45.50 per hour, according to official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $15.42 | $123.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $17.16 | $137.25 |
| Median (P50) | $31.66 | $253.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.16 | $313.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $45.50 | $363.99 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Little Rock
Based on $31.66/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.66/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Little Rock, AR can expect to earn approximately $65,856 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,994. With a cost-of-living index of 89.36 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Little Rock.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Little Rock
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,266.46 | $5,488 | $65,856 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $759.87 | $3,293 | $39,513 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $506.58 | $2,195 | $26,342 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Little Rock) | $31.66 |
| 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 Little Rock, AR earn a median of $65,860 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.25% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 1.30% above the Arkansas state average of $65,015.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.66/hr = $39,513/year (purchasing power: $44,216).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $65,856/year (purchasing power: $73,694).
CoL index: 89.364 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$31.30/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.82/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.66/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+3.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Little Rock (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31.30/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $29.06/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.28/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.54/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.52/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.77/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.82/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.66/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.53/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Little Rock grew -1.5% from $31.30/hr (2019) to $30.82/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.53/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 Little Rock 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 Little Rock
Physical therapist assistants in Little Rock can earn substantially different wages depending on their employment situations. For instance, a PTA working 24 hours a week at the median rate would take home about $39,428 annually, significantly less than a full-time colleague. Per diem physical therapist assistant pay in Little Rock can range widely, with hourly rates generally between $32 and $48, which becomes even more lucrative when factoring in agency contracts that offer $1,200 to $1,800 per week for traveling PTAs. However, positions in skilled nursing facilities may offer lower hourly rates due to recent Medicare cuts affecting PTA services. Variability also exists across different employer types; outpatient clinics typically present higher earning potential compared to pediatric therapy environments, while some PTAs may accept lower rates to obtain benefits. For hourly workers, negotiating can revolve around whether to prioritize higher pay for freelance roles versus the security of full-time employment with benefits, especially in an evolving healthcare landscape influenced by changes from CMS and the APTA.
More salary data for Little Rock, AR:
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 Little Rock. 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