Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Bear, DE: $32.91 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Bear, DE runs $32.91 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $68,462 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Bear's regional price level (BEA RPP 101.7, 2% above national), each hour of work buys what $32.36 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $41,078 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bear, Delaware, physical therapist assistants earn a median hourly rate of $32.91, which is slightly below the national median of $33.77. For professionals working in various environments such as outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and home health settings, this pay translates into significant earnings potential. Part-time physical therapist assistants working three days a week can expect to earn around $32,000 annually, while those in per-diem roles may receive compensation ranging from $24.28 to $39.36 per hour. The hourly pay continuum illustrates that entry-level positions start at $24.28, while experienced practitioners can command as much as $39.36 per hour, emphasizing the diverse opportunities within this field.
About the Bear Market
Salary estimated from Delaware average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.28 | $194.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.31 | $234.47 |
| Median (P50) | $32.91 | $263.32 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.25 | $290.03 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.36 | $314.85 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bear
Based on $32.91/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.91/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bear, DE can expect to earn approximately $68,463 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $39,498. With a cost-of-living index of 101.70 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Bear.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bear
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,316.59 | $5,705 | $68,463 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $789.95 | $3,423 | $41,078 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $526.64 | $2,282 | $27,385 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Bear) | $32.91 |
| 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 Bear, DE earn a median of $68,462 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.54% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 4.20% below the Delaware state average of $71,464.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.91/hr = $41,078/year (purchasing power: $40,391).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $68,463/year (purchasing power: $67,318).
CoL index: 101.7 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$27.55/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$32.04/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.91/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Bear (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.55/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.01/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.67/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.41/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.03/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.86/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $32.04/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.91/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.81/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Bear grew 16.3% from $27.55/hr (2019) to $32.04/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.81/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 Bear 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 Bear
When evaluating earning potential for physical therapist assistants in Bear, part-time professionals typically face a different financial scenario compared to full-time counterparts. Working a 24-hour week may generate a respectable annual income, but full-time positions yield a more consistent and higher monthly remuneration. Per-diem physical therapist assistants frequently earn between $32 and $48 per hour, with travel contracts sometimes reaching $1,200 to $1,800 weekly. It's essential to recognize that hourly rates vary depending on employer type; outpatient orthopedic clinics often provide competitive wages, while skilled nursing facilities may offer lower pay due to the effects of the 15% Medicare cut initiated in 2022. Consequently, some physical therapist assistants may choose positions with lower hourly pay due to benefits like health insurance. Negotiating pay in Bear requires an understanding of the local job market and how different settings prioritize compensation, particularly for roles governed by PT supervision under state law and Medicare regulations.
More salary data for Bear, DE:
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 Bear. 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 Bear 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