Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Arvada, CO: $32.95 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Arvada, CO runs $32.95 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $68,520 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Arvada's regional price level (BEA RPP 105.0, 5% above national), each hour of work buys what $31.38 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $41,116 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Arvada, Colorado, the physical therapist assistant hourly pay stands at a median rate of $32.95, showing a slight decrease compared to the national median of $33.77. This hourly rate offers a competitive wage for part-time workers, such as those who might work three days a week, allowing for a work-life balance that many strive for in the healthcare sector. The range of hourly pay varies significantly in the Arvada area, with entry-level positions starting at approximately $23.73 and experienced professionals earning up to $42.45. Such variability in pay reflects the diverse settings in which physical therapist assistants operate, including outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and pediatric therapy environments, with these rates derived from the projected annual salary estimates of $68,520 for 2026.
About the Arvada Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.73 | $189.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.19 | $233.48 |
| Median (P50) | $32.95 | $263.56 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.52 | $300.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42.45 | $339.58 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Arvada
Based on $32.95/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.95/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Arvada, CO can expect to earn approximately $68,527 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $39,535. With a cost-of-living index of 105.00 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Arvada.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Arvada
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,317.82 | $5,711 | $68,527 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $790.69 | $3,426 | $41,116 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $527.13 | $2,284 | $27,411 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Arvada) | $32.95 |
| 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 Arvada, CO earn a median of $68,520 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.46% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 2.40% above the Colorado state average of $66,914.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.95/hr = $41,116/year (purchasing power: $39,158).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $68,527/year (purchasing power: $65,263).
CoL index: 105 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$27.57/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$32.07/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.95/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Arvada (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.57/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.03/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.69/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.44/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.05/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $33.08/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $32.07/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.95/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.84/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Arvada grew 16.3% from $27.57/hr (2019) to $32.07/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.84/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 Arvada 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 Arvada
For those considering part-time opportunities, working 24 hours per week as a physical therapist assistant can yield a practical income, although it often falls short of the financial benefits offered by full-time positions. Per diem opportunities in Arvada may present an enticing alternative, with pay ranging from $32 to $48 per hour, which, when combined with flexible scheduling, appeals to many PTAs. It's also noteworthy that traveling positions for physical therapist assistants can command weekly earnings between $1,200 and $1,800, although skilled nursing facilities have seen a drop in hourly pay due to the recent Medicare cuts. In Arvada, pay scales can differ widely based on the type of employer, with outpatient orthopedic clinics generally offering more competitive rates than home health agencies or school therapy programs. Physical therapist assistants often have to weigh the benefits of higher hourly rates against the stability that comes with employer-sponsored health insurance, a consideration that can heavily influence career paths in the field. When negotiating wages, understanding the local pay landscape and aligning expectations with the demands of specific employers is critical for achieving a favorable outcome.
More salary data for Arvada, CO:
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 Arvada. 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 Arvada 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