Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Tallahassee, FL: $32.16 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Tallahassee, FL runs $32.16 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $66,888 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Tallahassee's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.9, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $34.25 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $40,142 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Tallahassee, the physical therapist assistant hourly pay stands at a median rate of $32.16, which is slightly below the national median of $33.77. This rate presents attractive opportunities for part-time workers, such as those seeking three-day workweeks in various settings like outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and home health visits. For per-diem physical therapist assistants, this hourly wage offers flexibility while still providing a competitive income, especially considering that the hourly range in Tallahassee extends from $26.55 for entry-level positions to $39.77 for highly experienced staff. These figures, derived from projections based on 2025 BLS data, reaffirm the viability of physical therapy as a growing career choice in Florida.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $26.55 | $212.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.28 | $234.22 |
| Median (P50) | $32.16 | $257.32 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.02 | $296.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.77 | $318.13 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Tallahassee
Based on $32.16/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.16/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Tallahassee, FL can expect to earn approximately $66,903 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $38,598. With a cost-of-living index of 93.92 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Tallahassee.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Tallahassee
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,286.59 | $5,575 | $66,903 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $771.95 | $3,345 | $40,142 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $514.64 | $2,230 | $26,761 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Tallahassee) | $32.16 |
| 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 Tallahassee, FL earn a median of $66,888 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.78% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 4.40% below the Florida state average of $69,966.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.16/hr = $40,142/year (purchasing power: $42,741).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $66,903/year (purchasing power: $71,234).
CoL index: 93.919 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$35.84/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.31/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.16/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+-7.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Tallahassee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35.84/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $29.18/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.46/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.15/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.53/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.74/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.31/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.16/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.04/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Tallahassee grew -12.6% from $35.84/hr (2019) to $31.31/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.04/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 Tallahassee 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 Tallahassee
Switching gears to part-time earning potential, a physical therapist assistant working a typical 24-hour week would take home a substantial amount, translating into a significant annual income compared to full-time roles. In terms of per diem arrangements, agency and locum physical therapist assistants often invoice between $32 and $48 an hour, which places them in a favorable position financially. However, the Medicare cuts instituted in 2022 have reduced reimbursement rates significantly, thereby impacting compensation in Medicare-reliant settings like skilled nursing facilities. Various employer types, from outpatient orthopedic clinics to home health agencies, also exhibit differing hourly pay scales, which means that some PTAs may opt for lower hourly rates at facilities offering health benefits over agencies that provide higher pay without additional perks. For those negotiating hourly rates in Tallahassee, understanding the nuances of compensation across employer types and having clarity on benefits versus pay is critical to making informed career decisions.
More salary data for Tallahassee, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Tallahassee in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Tallahassee?
Are physical therapist assistants in Tallahassee paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Tallahassee?
Do physical therapist assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Tallahassee?
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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 Tallahassee. 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