Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in West Lafayette, IN: $30.16 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in West Lafayette, IN runs $30.16 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $62,727 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against West Lafayette's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.3, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.04 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,642 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In West Lafayette, Indiana, a physical therapist assistant earns a median hourly rate of $30.16, which is notably lower than the national median of $33.77. This discrepancy could influence part-time and per-diem workers who typically engage in varied clinical settings like outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and home health visits. For those working three days a week, the hourly pay provides a stable income, allowing them to balance personal commitments while still contributing to patient care. Additionally, the hourly range for physical therapist assistants in West Lafayette spans from $22.29 for entry-level positions to as much as $39.22 for experienced practitioners, reflecting the potential earnings and career growth available in this field. Hourly rates are derived from annual salary estimates, shaping expectations for both current employees and those considering entry into the profession.
About the West Lafayette Market
Salary estimated from Indiana average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.29 | $178.34 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.99 | $215.90 |
| Median (P50) | $30.16 | $241.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.88 | $279.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.22 | $313.78 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in West Lafayette
Based on $30.16/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.16/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in West Lafayette, IN can expect to earn approximately $62,736 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,194. With a cost-of-living index of 91.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in West Lafayette.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in West Lafayette
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,206.46 | $5,228 | $62,736 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $723.88 | $3,137 | $37,642 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $482.58 | $2,091 | $25,094 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (West Lafayette) | $30.16 |
| 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 West Lafayette, IN earn a median of $62,727 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.71% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 1.60% below the Indiana state average of $63,747.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.16/hr = $37,642/year (purchasing power: $41,228).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $62,736/year (purchasing power: $68,714).
CoL index: 91.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.24/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.36/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.16/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in West Lafayette (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.24/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.66/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.27/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.95/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.51/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.99/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.36/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.16/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.98/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in West Lafayette grew 16.3% from $25.24/hr (2019) to $29.36/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.98/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 West Lafayette 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 West Lafayette
Considering part-time arrangements, a physical therapist assistant working 24 hours per week can expect to earn significantly less than a full-time counterpart, impacting their annual take-home pay. Per-diem physical therapist assistant pay in West Lafayette typically ranges from $32 to $48 per hour, allowing for flexibility but requiring effective self-marketing skills to secure shifts and consistent work. Visiting therapists in skilled nursing facilities, while historically offering appealing hourly rates, have seen pay cuts due to the 15% Medicare reduction enacted since 2022. This has led many to seek employment with outpatient orthopedic clinics, where hourly wages can be more competitive. The choice between agencies offering higher rates without benefits versus stable jobs with health insurance can complicate financial planning. Negotiating an hourly wage in West Lafayette requires understanding the local market, comparing employer types, and asserting value based on experience and specialization to achieve the desired compensation.
More salary data for West Lafayette, IN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in West Lafayette in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in West Lafayette?
Are physical therapist assistants in West Lafayette paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in West Lafayette?
Do physical therapist assistants earn more per hour working part-time in West Lafayette?
Related Pages
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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 West Lafayette. 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 West Lafayette 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