Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Junction City, KS: $28.95 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Junction City, KS runs $28.95 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $60,217 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Junction City's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.9, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.85 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,129 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Junction City, Kansas, the projected median physical therapist assistant hourly pay for 2026 stands at $28.95, which is below the national median of $33.77. This pay level is particularly relevant for those considering part-time opportunities, as working three days a week can provide a workable balance while still earning a substantial hourly rate. Entry-level professionals can expect to start at about $20.55, while those in positions with more experience or specialized skills may earn as much as $36.46 per hour. The hourly earnings reflect various working environments, including outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and pediatric therapy spaces, allowing physical therapist assistants in Junction City to choose settings that align with their preferences and career goals.
About the Junction City Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.55 | $164.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.00 | $215.98 |
| Median (P50) | $28.95 | $231.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.03 | $264.22 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $36.46 | $291.67 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Junction City
Based on $28.95/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.95/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Junction City, KS can expect to earn approximately $60,215 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,739. With a cost-of-living index of 90.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Junction City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Junction City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,157.97 | $5,018 | $60,215 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $694.78 | $3,011 | $36,129 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $463.19 | $2,007 | $24,086 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Junction City) | $28.95 |
| 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 Junction City, KS earn a median of $60,217 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.28% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 5.70% below the Kansas state average of $63,857.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.95/hr = $36,129/year (purchasing power: $39,746).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $60,215/year (purchasing power: $66,243).
CoL index: 90.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.23/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.18/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.95/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Junction City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.23/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.63/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.21/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.87/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.41/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.73/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.18/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.95/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.74/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Junction City grew 16.3% from $24.23/hr (2019) to $28.18/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.74/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 Junction City 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 Junction City
Part-time physical therapist assistants in Junction City, working 24 hours a week, could take home around $36,120 annually, a figure that still contrasts with full-time earnings. Per diem positions tend to offer flexibility, typically billing between $32 and $48 per hour, appealing to those seeking higher immediate compensation without insurance benefits. However, after the 2022 Medicare cuts impacted settings heavily reliant on Medicare, rates in skilled nursing facilities may have declined, driving some PTAs to seek opportunities in outpatient clinics or home health. Variability in hourly rates also occurs across employer types. Those in outpatient orthopedic practices may earn more than their counterparts in home health settings. Negotiation plays a crucial role for hourly workers, especially as benefits become a deciding factor—accepting a lower wage for comprehensive health insurance can sometimes be a trade-off that many professionals weigh carefully against taking higher hourly rates with limited or no benefits.
More salary data for Junction City, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Junction City in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Junction City?
Are physical therapist assistants in Junction City paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Junction City?
Do physical therapist assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Junction City?
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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 Junction City. 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 Junction City 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