Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Middletown, DE: $31.73 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Middletown, DE runs $31.73 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $66,007 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Middletown's regional price level (BEA RPP 101.7, 2% above national), each hour of work buys what $31.20 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,603 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Middletown, Delaware, physical therapist assistants (PTAs) earn a median hourly rate of $31.73, which falls slightly below the national hourly median of $33.77. For those in part-time roles, such as working three days a week, this rate translates into competitive pay, allowing them to maintain a reasonable income while balancing other commitments. Per-diem PTAs in the area can expect to see hourly wages ranging from $23.15 to $38.82, depending on experience and the specific setting they are employed in. Typical environments for these professionals include outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, home health visits, and pediatric therapy spaces, providing PTAs with a range of career opportunities. The pay scale in Middletown allows for accessible entry points for new graduate PTAs as well as substantial earnings for seasoned professionals.
About the Middletown 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) | $23.15 | $185.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.08 | $224.61 |
| Median (P50) | $31.73 | $253.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.40 | $283.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.82 | $310.57 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Middletown
Based on $31.73/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.73/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Middletown, DE can expect to earn approximately $66,005 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $38,080. With a cost-of-living index of 101.70 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Middletown.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Middletown
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,269.33 | $5,500 | $66,005 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $761.60 | $3,300 | $39,603 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $507.73 | $2,200 | $26,402 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Middletown) | $31.73 |
| 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 Middletown, DE earn a median of $66,007 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.04% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 7.60% below the Delaware state average of $71,436.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.73/hr = $39,603/year (purchasing power: $38,941).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $66,005/year (purchasing power: $64,902).
CoL index: 101.7 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$26.56/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.89/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.73/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Middletown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.56/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.00/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.64/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.36/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.95/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.72/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.89/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.73/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.60/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Middletown grew 16.3% from $26.56/hr (2019) to $30.89/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.60/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 Middletown 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 Middletown
Considering part-time work in Middletown, a physical therapist assistant typically working 24 hours weekly would take home approximately $39,610 annually. This contrasts with the earnings of full-time PTAs, who could potentially see greater financial benefits depending on hours worked and employment type. Per diem physical therapist assistant pay can vary significantly in the marketplace; while compensations typically range from $32 to $48 per hour, travel PTA contracts often generate weekly earnings between $1,200 and $1,800. Nonetheless, those employed in skilled nursing facilities may find their agency pay reduced due to the recent 15% Medicare cut impacting reimbursement rates. Hourly rates also vary across different employers in Middletown; outpatient clinics tend to offer competitive wages, whereas those positions in educational institutions or home health agencies may prioritize benefits over hourly pay. PTAs should be prepared to negotiate based on their unique situation, weighing the value of health insurance and stability against potential higher hourly rates available in agency work.
More salary data for Middletown, DE:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Middletown in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Middletown?
Are physical therapist assistants in Middletown paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Middletown?
Do physical therapist assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Middletown?
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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 Middletown. 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 Middletown 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