Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Port St. Lucie, FL: $32.64 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Port St. Lucie, FL runs $32.64 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $67,884 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Port St. Lucie's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.2, 0% above national), each hour of work buys what $32.56 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $40,731 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Port St. Lucie, Florida, the physical therapist assistant hourly pay stands at $32.64, which is slightly below the national median of $33.77. This figure reflects the earning potential for those working in various settings, including outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, and home health visits. For part-time workers, such as those committing to a three-day workweek, this hourly rate translates into a viable income amid a range of $24.40 to $44.02 for entry-level to experienced professionals. The data, based on 2025 BLS OEWS information projected to 2026, reveals not only the competitive nature of the market but also the diverse environments where physical therapist assistants can thrive in Port St. Lucie.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.40 | $195.19 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.78 | $246.22 |
| Median (P50) | $32.64 | $261.10 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.98 | $303.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44.02 | $352.16 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Port St. Lucie
Based on $32.64/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.64/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Port St. Lucie, FL can expect to earn approximately $67,886 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $39,165. With a cost-of-living index of 100.23 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Port St. Lucie.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Port St. Lucie
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,305.49 | $5,657 | $67,886 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $783.30 | $3,394 | $40,731 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $522.20 | $2,263 | $27,154 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Port St. Lucie) | $32.64 |
| 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 Port St. Lucie, FL earn a median of $67,884 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.36% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 3.00% below the Florida state average of $69,983.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.64/hr = $40,731/year (purchasing power: $40,639).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $67,886/year (purchasing power: $67,731).
CoL index: 100.228 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$30.39/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.77/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.64/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+10.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Port St. Lucie (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30.39/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.88/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.32/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.77/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.61/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.45/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.77/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.64/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.53/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Port St. Lucie grew 4.5% from $30.39/hr (2019) to $31.77/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.53/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 Port St. Lucie 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 Port St. Lucie
For those considering part-time work, a physical therapist assistant on a 24-hour-per-week schedule could expect to take home around $40,000 annually. This contrasts with full-time opportunities, where the numbers significantly increase. Per diem physical therapist assistant pay in Port St. Lucie ranges from $32 to $48 per hour, with various factors influencing rates across different employer types — outpatient orthopedic clinics may pay more compared to skilled nursing facilities, especially following the 15% Medicare cut that has impacted PTA wages in those settings. Many choose the stability of lower hourly pay for benefits, which adds complexity to negotiations for hourly work. Practical tips for negotiating include emphasizing experience and educational qualifications, as well as understanding the current market trends in Port St. Lucie to secure the best possible hourly rate.
More salary data for Port St. Lucie, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Port St. Lucie in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Port St. Lucie?
Are physical therapist assistants in Port St. Lucie paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Port St. Lucie?
Do physical therapist assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Port St. Lucie?
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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 Port St. Lucie. 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