Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Kansas City, KS: $32.60 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Kansas City, KS runs $32.60 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $67,799 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Kansas City's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.9, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $35.86 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $40,680 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Kansas City, physical therapist assistants earn a median hourly rate of $32.60, which is slightly below the national median of $33.77. This hourly pay allows for flexible working arrangements, making it suitable for part-time employees and per-diem workers in various settings such as outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and home health visits. In this field, entry-level positions start around $21.48 per hour, while more experienced professionals can earn up to $42.73 per hour. The structure of these hourly rates reflects the annual salary projections and enables physical therapist assistants to manage their work-life balance effectively while still receiving competitive compensation.
About the Kansas 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) | $21.48 | $171.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.36 | $218.86 |
| Median (P50) | $32.60 | $260.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.55 | $300.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42.73 | $341.80 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Kansas City
Based on $32.60/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.60/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Kansas City, KS can expect to earn approximately $67,800 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $39,115. With a cost-of-living index of 90.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Kansas City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Kansas City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,303.85 | $5,650 | $67,800 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $782.31 | $3,390 | $40,680 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $521.54 | $2,260 | $27,120 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Kansas City) | $32.60 |
| 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 Kansas City, KS earn a median of $67,799 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.48% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 6.20% above the Kansas state average of $63,841.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.60/hr = $40,680/year (purchasing power: $44,753).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $67,800/year (purchasing power: $74,588).
CoL index: 90.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$27.28/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.73/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.60/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Kansas City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.28/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.73/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.39/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.13/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.73/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.65/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.73/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.60/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.49/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Kansas City grew 16.3% from $27.28/hr (2019) to $31.73/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.49/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 Kansas 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 Kansas City
Looking at part-time earnings, a physical therapist assistant working three days a week for a total of 24 hours can expect to take home roughly $40,736 annually if they maintain the median hourly rate. While full-time positions offer more predictable incomes, many choose per-diem roles for their flexibility; however, these may yield varying rates. Per diem physical therapist assistant pay in Kansas City ranges from $32 to $48 per hour, with travel contracts providing a more lucrative option at $1,200 to $1,800 weekly. Different employer types in the area, including outpatient orthopedic clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and pediatric clinics, contribute to the variability in hourly wages. Consequently, some physical therapist assistants might accept lower rates for the health insurance benefits provided by full-time roles. Negotiating effectively is key in this landscape—knowing the value of one’s skills and understanding the specific demands of compensation packages can greatly enhance a PTA's earning potential in Kansas City.
More salary data for Kansas City, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Kansas City in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Kansas City?
Are physical therapist assistants in Kansas City paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Kansas City?
Do physical therapist assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Kansas City?
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 Kansas 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 Kansas 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