Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Golden, CO: $29.62 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Golden, CO runs $29.62 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $61,593 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Golden's regional price level (BEA RPP 105.0, 5% above national), each hour of work buys what $28.21 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,962 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Golden, Colorado, the physical therapist assistant hourly pay is projected to be $29.62 in 2026, which is notably lower than the national median of $33.77. This discrepancy suggests that opportunities for part-time or per-diem work may be appealing to those looking for flexibility in their careers, particularly in environments such as outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and hospital rehab units. With hourly rates ranging from $22.29 at the entry-level to $36.94 for top earners, physical therapist assistants can find varying compensation based on their experience and workplace settings. While these figures are derived from estimated annual salaries, they provide a clear indication of what one might expect to earn on an hourly basis in the Golden area.
About the Golden 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) | $22.29 | $178.34 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.73 | $213.84 |
| Median (P50) | $29.62 | $236.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.54 | $268.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $36.94 | $295.53 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Golden
Based on $29.62/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.62/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Golden, CO can expect to earn approximately $61,603 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,540. With a cost-of-living index of 105.00 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Golden.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Golden
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,184.68 | $5,134 | $61,603 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $710.81 | $3,080 | $36,962 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $473.87 | $2,053 | $24,641 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Golden) | $29.62 |
| 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 Golden, CO earn a median of $61,593 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.32% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 8.00% below the Colorado state average of $66,949.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.62/hr = $36,962/year (purchasing power: $35,202).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $61,603/year (purchasing power: $58,670).
CoL index: 105 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$24.79/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.83/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.62/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Golden (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.79/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.20/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.79/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.46/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.02/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.74/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.83/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.62/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.43/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Golden grew 16.3% from $24.79/hr (2019) to $28.83/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.43/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 Golden 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 Golden
Evaluating the financial potential of part-time positions reveals that a physical therapist assistant who works three days a week could expect to earn around $37,018 annually, which is significantly lower than a full-time counterpart. Per diem contracts offer broader financial flexibility, with rates typically ranging from $32 to $48 per hour, while travel positions can yield $1,200 to $1,800 weekly. However, it's worth noting that skilled nursing facility agencies have seen reduced pay since the 15% cut to Medicare reimbursements for services provided by PTAs took effect in 2022, impacting earnings in these crucial settings. Compensation disparities exist among different employer types in Golden; outpatient orthopedic clinics might offer different pay scales compared to home health agencies or pediatric therapy programs. Many professionals in the field weigh lower hourly rates against benefits such as health insurance, which can make a substantial difference in their overall compensation package. For those negotiating pay rates, it’s essential to emphasize skills and credentials, with the potential for higher hourly earnings in settings where demand for qualified PTAs is strongest.
More salary data for Golden, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Golden in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Golden?
Are physical therapist assistants in Golden paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Golden?
Do physical therapist assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Golden?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Colorado
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 Golden. 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 Golden 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