Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Lafayette, CO: $31.14 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Lafayette, CO runs $31.14 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $64,763 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Lafayette's regional price level (BEA RPP 105.0, 5% above national), each hour of work buys what $29.65 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,860 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Lafayette, Colorado, physical therapist assistants earn a median hourly rate of $31.14, which falls below the national median of $33.77. This hourly pay translates effectively for part-time positions, typically working three days a week, allowing for a stable income while offering flexible working hours in outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, and pediatric therapy settings. The hourly wage spans a range from $21.13 at entry-level positions to $40.21 for those with significant experience or specialized skills. Estimating these figures from the projected annual salary data underscores the potential and challenges faced by physical therapist assistants in the local market.
About the Lafayette 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) | $21.13 | $169.05 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.36 | $226.91 |
| Median (P50) | $31.14 | $249.10 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.66 | $277.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.21 | $321.67 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lafayette
Based on $31.14/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.14/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lafayette, CO can expect to earn approximately $64,766 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,365. With a cost-of-living index of 105.00 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Lafayette.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lafayette
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,245.50 | $5,397 | $64,766 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $747.30 | $3,238 | $38,860 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $498.20 | $2,159 | $25,906 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Lafayette) | $31.14 |
| 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 Lafayette, CO earn a median of $64,763 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.81% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 3.20% below the Colorado state average of $66,904.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.14/hr = $38,860/year (purchasing power: $37,009).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $64,766/year (purchasing power: $61,682).
CoL index: 105 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$26.06/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.31/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.14/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Lafayette (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.06/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.49/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.12/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.82/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.40/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.27/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.31/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.14/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.99/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Lafayette grew 16.3% from $26.06/hr (2019) to $30.31/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.99/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 Lafayette 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 Lafayette
Analyzing part-time compensation reveals that a physical therapist assistant working 24 hours a week can earn approximately $39,047 annually, which is significantly less than a full-time counterpart. The per diem physical therapist assistant pay in Lafayette typically ranges from $32 to $48 per hour, providing opportunities for those seeking flexibility in employment. However, rates for agency positions in skilled nursing facilities have been affected by the 15% Medicare cut implemented in 2022, leading to reduced earnings. Different employer types in Lafayette offer varying pay rates, with outpatient orthopedic clinics often providing more competitive wages compared to hospitals. Additionally, many PTAs may face a trade-off between accepting lower hourly wages with benefits or securing higher pay without health insurance. In this market, effective negotiation for hourly rates hinges on demonstrating clinical skills and any specialties that align with employer needs.
More salary data for Lafayette, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Lafayette in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Lafayette?
Are physical therapist assistants in Lafayette paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Lafayette?
Do physical therapist assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Lafayette?
Related Pages
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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 Lafayette. 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 Lafayette 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