Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Ocala, FL: $31.90 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Ocala, FL runs $31.90 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $66,343 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Ocala's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.2, 5% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.49 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,808 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Ocala, Florida, physical therapist assistants can expect a median hourly pay of $31.90, which sits slightly below the national median of $33.77. This hourly rate provides a solid earning potential for those working part-time, such as in settings like outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, or home health environments. For instance, a PTA working three days a week could find this compensation attractive while balancing other commitments. The hourly compensation ranges from $26.03 for entry-level roles to $38.08 for experienced practitioners, reflecting the varied environments where physical therapist assistants operate, including pediatric therapy spaces and hospital rehab units. All figures mentioned are official estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $26.03 | $208.25 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.70 | $237.59 |
| Median (P50) | $31.90 | $255.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.54 | $284.36 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.08 | $304.66 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Ocala
Based on $31.90/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.90/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Ocala, FL can expect to earn approximately $66,347 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $38,277. With a cost-of-living index of 95.23 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Ocala.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Ocala
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,275.91 | $5,529 | $66,347 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $765.54 | $3,317 | $39,808 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $510.36 | $2,212 | $26,539 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Ocala) | $31.90 |
| 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 Ocala, FL earn a median of $66,343 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.56% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 5.20% below the Florida state average of $69,982.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.90/hr = $39,808/year (purchasing power: $41,800).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $66,347/year (purchasing power: $69,667).
CoL index: 95.234 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$30.49/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.05/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.90/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+7.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Ocala (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30.49/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $29.24/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.24/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.68/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $31.05/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.10/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.05/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.90/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.77/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Ocala grew 1.8% from $30.49/hr (2019) to $31.05/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.77/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 Ocala 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 Ocala
For those considering a role in Ocala as a physical therapist assistant, it's essential to recognize the various employment realities. Part-time PTAs working a typical 24-hour week can take home approximately $39,666 in a year, substantially less than their full-time counterparts. Meanwhile, per diem physical therapist assistant pay in Ocala can vary, with rates ranging from $32 to $48 per hour, influenced by contract specifics and employer types. Specialties such as travel PTA positions may yield lucrative weekly compensation of $1,200 to $1,800, although skilled nursing facility roles might offer reduced pay recently due to the 15% Medicare cut that occurred in 2022. Different employer types also impact hourly earnings—outpatient clinics, private practices, and hospitals may offer varied rates that reflect their operational costs and staffing needs. For many PTAs, the trade-off between higher pay with no benefits and lower pay that includes health insurance necessitates careful consideration, especially for those looking to negotiate their hourly wage in this competitive market.
More salary data for Ocala, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Ocala in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Ocala?
Are physical therapist assistants in Ocala paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Ocala?
Do physical therapist assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Ocala?
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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 Ocala. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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