Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Palm Beach Gardens, FL: $32.70 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Palm Beach Gardens, FL runs $32.70 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $68,007 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Palm Beach Gardens's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.8, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $32.44 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $40,808 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, physical therapist assistants command a median hourly pay of $32.70, which falls short of the national median of $33.77. This hourly wage is relevant for various employment scenarios including part-time positions and per-diem work, typically found in outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and home health environments. Those who work part-time, such as three days a week, will find that their income can vary widely based on their weekly hours, with entry-level positions starting around $23.16 and experienced PTAs earning upwards of $42.46 per hour. The overall hourly range reflects the profession’s reliance on annual salary estimates, adjusted for local economic factors in Palm Beach Gardens.
About the Palm Beach Gardens Market
Salary estimated from Florida average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.16 | $185.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.70 | $229.62 |
| Median (P50) | $32.70 | $261.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.56 | $300.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42.46 | $339.67 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Palm Beach Gardens
Based on $32.70/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.70/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Palm Beach Gardens, FL can expect to earn approximately $68,014 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $39,239. With a cost-of-living index of 100.80 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Palm Beach Gardens.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Palm Beach Gardens
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,307.96 | $5,668 | $68,014 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $784.78 | $3,401 | $40,808 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $523.18 | $2,267 | $27,206 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Palm Beach Gardens) | $32.70 |
| 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 Palm Beach Gardens, FL earn a median of $68,007 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.19% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 2.80% below the Florida state average of $69,966.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.70/hr = $40,808/year (purchasing power: $40,484).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $68,014/year (purchasing power: $67,474).
CoL index: 100.8 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$27.37/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.83/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.70/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Palm Beach Gardens (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.37/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.82/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.48/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.22/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.83/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.08/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.83/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.70/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.59/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Palm Beach Gardens grew 16.3% from $27.37/hr (2019) to $31.83/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.59/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 Palm Beach Gardens 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 Palm Beach Gardens
Considering the earning potential, a part-time physical therapist assistant working 24 hours a week could potentially bring in a significantly lower annual income compared to those working full-time hours. Per diem physical therapist assistant pay in Palm Beach Gardens often ranges between $32 and $48 per hour, depending on the setting and demand. Travel contracts for PTAs also provide an alternative, with earnings ranging between $1,200 and $1,800 weekly, though recent Medicare cuts have impacted pay rates in skilled nursing facilities. Differences in hourly pay also depend on the employer, with outpatient orthopedic clinics, home health agencies, and hospital inpatient rehab units offering varied compensation packages. While some PTAs might accept positions with lower hourly rates for benefits like health insurance, others may prefer higher hourly pay without these extras. For those negotiating pay, research the specific employer's compensation trends and be prepared to discuss how your skills align with industry standards in Palm Beach Gardens, as this can be crucial for securing favorable terms.
More salary data for Palm Beach Gardens, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Palm Beach Gardens in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Palm Beach Gardens?
Are physical therapist assistants in Palm Beach Gardens paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Palm Beach Gardens?
Do physical therapist assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Palm Beach Gardens?
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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 Palm Beach Gardens. 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 Palm Beach Gardens 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