Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Panama City, FL: $31.79 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Panama City, FL runs $31.79 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $66,138 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Panama City's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.3, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.68 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,680 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Panama City, the physical therapist assistant hourly pay is projected to reach $31.79 in 2026, which is slightly lower than the national median of $33.77 per hour. This pay level reflects the diverse settings where PTAs typically operate, including outpatient clinics, home health environments, and skilled nursing facilities. For part-time positions, such as those working three days a week, this hourly rate can lead to a solid supplementary income, while per diem physical therapist assistants may find that available shifts at various facilities offer flexibility and different earning potentials. The hourly pay ranges from $25.97 for entry-level positions to approximately $41.16 for top earners in the area, highlighting the potential for growth and advancement within this essential healthcare profession. These statistics are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.97 | $207.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.76 | $238.09 |
| Median (P50) | $31.79 | $254.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.84 | $318.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.16 | $329.31 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Panama City
Based on $31.79/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.79/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Panama City, FL can expect to earn approximately $66,133 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $38,154. With a cost-of-living index of 97.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Panama City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Panama City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,271.80 | $5,511 | $66,133 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $763.08 | $3,307 | $39,680 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $508.72 | $2,204 | $26,453 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Panama City) | $31.79 |
| 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 Panama City, FL earn a median of $66,138 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.85% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 5.50% below the Florida state average of $69,987.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.79/hr = $39,680/year (purchasing power: $40,783).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $66,133/year (purchasing power: $67,971).
CoL index: 97.296 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$26.50/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.95/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.79/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+23.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Panama City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.50/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.49/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.35/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.38/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.91/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.00/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.95/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.79/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.66/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Panama City grew 16.8% from $26.50/hr (2019) to $30.95/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.66/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 Panama City 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 Panama City
When considering the financial landscape for part-time physical therapist assistants in Panama City, those working 24 hours a week can expect to take home about $39,616 annually. While this is considerably less than a full-time PTA, such opportunities allow for flexibility and work-life balance. For per diem physical therapist assistant pay in Panama City, professionals often bill between $32 and $48 an hour, particularly for travel contracts that can yield weekly earnings ranging from $1,200 to $1,800. However, recent Medicare cuts have pushed down PTA pay rates in skilled nursing facilities, prompting some professionals to weigh the benefits of higher hourly wages against job security and health insurance options. Hourly rates can vary significantly depending on whether one works in outpatient clinics, hospitals, or home health agencies. It’s crucial for PTAs to negotiate their pay, especially in a market where benefits might not align with the highest pay rates, and to consider how their work setting affects compensation.
More salary data for Panama City, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Panama City in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Panama City?
Are physical therapist assistants in Panama City paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Panama City?
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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 Panama City. 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