Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Valdosta, GA: $33.82 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Valdosta, GA runs $33.82 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $70,339 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Valdosta's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.3, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $38.31 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $42,206 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Valdosta, Georgia, physical therapist assistants can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $33.82. This figure slightly exceeds the national median of $33.77 per hour, illustrating that local opportunities remain competitive. For part-time professionals working three days a week, this translates into substantial weekly earnings, especially within typical workplace settings such as outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and pediatric therapy environments. New entrants to the field may start at a lower end of the hourly spectrum, around $14.02, while more experienced individuals can ascend to peak rates approaching $37.98. These calculations are based on official BLS information, affirming the value of physical therapist assistant hourly pay in Valdosta.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $14.02 | $112.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.26 | $194.12 |
| Median (P50) | $33.82 | $270.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.07 | $288.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.98 | $303.83 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Valdosta
Based on $33.82/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $33.82/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Valdosta, GA can expect to earn approximately $70,343 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $40,582. With a cost-of-living index of 88.27 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Valdosta.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Valdosta
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,352.75 | $5,862 | $70,343 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $811.65 | $3,517 | $42,206 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $541.10 | $2,345 | $28,137 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Valdosta) | $33.82 |
| 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 Valdosta, GA earn a median of $70,339 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.13% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 3.30% above the Georgia state average of $68,092.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $33.82/hr = $42,206/year (purchasing power: $47,814).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $70,343/year (purchasing power: $79,690).
CoL index: 88.271 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.36/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$32.92/hr
2026 Current Est.
$33.82/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+89.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Valdosta (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.36/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.01/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.70/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.44/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.62/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.75/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $32.92/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $33.82/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $34.74/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Valdosta grew 79.3% from $18.36/hr (2019) to $32.92/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $34.74/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 Valdosta 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 Valdosta
For those considering part-time work, a physical therapist assistant maintaining a schedule of just 24 hours per week can anticipate earning a solid income, albeit significantly less than a full-time counterpart over the course of a year. Per diem physical therapist assistant pay in Valdosta can vary widely, with professionals often charging between $32 and $48 hourly. Many per diem positions come with the flexibility of scheduling but may lack benefits, forcing PTAs to decide between higher hourly rates with no health coverage and lower rates with benefits provided. Hourly earnings can also fluctuate depending on the type of employer—outpatient orthopedic clinics generally offer competitive rates, while skilled nursing facilities might provide lower compensation due to Medicare reimbursement cuts. Negotiation is key, particularly for PTAs who should be prepared to advocate for their worth based on local market conditions, such as the impact of the 15% Medicare cut on earnings in certain settings.
More salary data for Valdosta, GA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Valdosta. 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