Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Caldwell, ID: $30.42 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Caldwell, ID runs $30.42 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $63,271 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Caldwell's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.3, 5% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.92 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,962 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Caldwell, Idaho, the hourly pay for physical therapist assistants rests at a median of $30.42, which is slightly lower than the national hourly median of $33.77. This hourly figure can significantly influence the earning potential for part-time workers, such as those who typically work three days a week, and for per-diem workers who operate in diverse settings including outpatient clinic gyms, skilled nursing facilities, and home health environments. For PTAs in Caldwell, hourly rates range from $20.12 for entry-level positions to as high as $38.69 for more experienced practitioners. These figures reflect the estimated compensation based on annual salary data, illustrating how crucial hourly rates are for those entering or transitioning within this profession.
About the Caldwell Market
Salary estimated from Idaho average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.12 | $161.00 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.37 | $218.94 |
| Median (P50) | $30.42 | $243.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.46 | $275.65 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.69 | $309.50 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Caldwell
Based on $30.42/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.42/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Caldwell, ID can expect to earn approximately $63,270 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,502. With a cost-of-living index of 95.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Caldwell.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Caldwell
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,216.73 | $5,273 | $63,270 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $730.04 | $3,164 | $37,962 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $486.69 | $2,109 | $25,308 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Caldwell) | $30.42 |
| 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 Caldwell, ID earn a median of $63,271 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.93% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 0.80% above the Idaho state average of $62,769.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.42/hr = $37,962/year (purchasing power: $39,834).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $63,270/year (purchasing power: $66,391).
CoL index: 95.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.46/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.61/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.42/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Caldwell (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.46/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.88/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.49/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.18/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.75/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.63/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.61/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.42/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.25/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Caldwell grew 16.3% from $25.46/hr (2019) to $29.61/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.25/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 Caldwell 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 Caldwell
Considering a part-time schedule, a physical therapist assistant working 24 hours a week in Caldwell might expect to earn around $38,000 annually, compared to a full-time counterpart who could approach $63,000 in the same year. For PTAs seeking flexibility, per-diem work can yield higher hourly pay, typically billed at rates ranging from $32 to $48, with specialized contracts offering up to $1,800 weekly. However, with the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut implemented in 2022, agency rates for SNF PTAs may have dipped since then, forcing some professionals into lower-earning positions for job security. Employer type also plays a role in pay disparities; outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, and pediatric clinics offer varied hourly rates. For those negotiating hourly pay in Caldwell, emphasizing different aspects of employment such as benefits and flexibility can be crucial. Some PTAs may accept lower hourly rates for the trade-off of health insurance, while others may pursue higher wages without benefits to increase their overall take-home pay.
More salary data for Caldwell, ID:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Caldwell in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Caldwell?
Are physical therapist assistants in Caldwell paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Caldwell?
Do physical therapist assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Caldwell?
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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 Caldwell. 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 Caldwell 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