Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Muncie, IN: $28.62 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Muncie, IN runs $28.62 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $59,522 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Muncie's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.1, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.47 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,718 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Muncie, the projected median hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant is $28.62, which is notably lower than the national median of $33.77 per hour. This rate reflects the financial landscape of various work settings typical for PTAs in the area, including outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, home health visits, hospitals, and pediatric therapy environments. However, hourly wages for physical therapist assistants in Muncie can vary significantly, with entry-level positions starting around $16.52 and top earners potentially reaching $36.97. This hourly range highlights the potential earnings for part-time and per-diem workers, who often engage in flexible schedules to accommodate their clients' needs. Official data from BLS based on 2025 projections supports these figures and helps illustrate the compensation landscape within the profession in 2026.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $16.52 | $132.15 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.24 | $145.96 |
| Median (P50) | $28.62 | $228.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.65 | $277.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $36.97 | $295.78 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Muncie
Based on $28.62/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.62/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Muncie, IN can expect to earn approximately $59,531 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,345. With a cost-of-living index of 88.15 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Muncie.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Muncie
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,144.82 | $4,961 | $59,531 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $686.89 | $2,977 | $35,718 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $457.93 | $1,984 | $23,812 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Muncie) | $28.62 |
| 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 Muncie, IN earn a median of $59,522 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.27% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 6.60% below the Indiana state average of $63,728.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.62/hr = $35,718/year (purchasing power: $40,521).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $59,531/year (purchasing power: $67,535).
CoL index: 88.148 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$27.89/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.86/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.62/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+5.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Muncie (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.89/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.35/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.93/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.57/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.11/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.60/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.86/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.62/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.40/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Muncie grew -0.1% from $27.89/hr (2019) to $27.86/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.40/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 Muncie 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 Muncie
For those considering work arrangements in Muncie, the earnings potential for a part-time physical therapist assistant can be substantial. A typical part-time schedule of 24 hours per week translates to approximately $34,000 annually, while full-time PTAs may aim for higher incomes. In per-diem and agency roles, pay can range from $32 to $48 per hour, appealing to those willing to take on temporary or travel contracts. However, the recent 15% Medicare reimbursement cut has affected pay levels in skilled nursing facilities, prompting some PTAs to seek positions in outpatient clinics or as school therapists, where pay is generally more stable. Different employer types also influence hourly rates; outpatient orthopedic clinics may pay higher than hospitals or skilled nursing facilities. PTAs must consider trade-offs between salary and benefits when weighing positions—some higher-paying roles may lack health insurance, making negotiation skills essential for securing an attractive compensation package while factoring in benefits. Understanding these dynamics is key for current students or those in PTA-to-DPT bridge programs navigating their career paths in Indiana.
More salary data for Muncie, IN:
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 Muncie. 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, 3-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