Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Liberal, KS: $28.63 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Liberal, KS runs $28.63 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $59,555 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Liberal's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.9, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.50 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,731 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Liberal, Kansas, physical therapist assistants earn a median hourly rate of $28.63 in 2026, which is considerably lower than the national average of $33.77 per hour. This pay scale is indicative of various employment scenarios, with part-time and per-diem positions commonly found in facilities like outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and home health agencies. Entry-level positions may start at around $22.10, while more experienced professionals can see earnings up to $36.51 per hour. The reported hourly pay is derived from projections based on the annual salary figures and may vary primarily due to the type of setting or employer. Such financial dynamics can be crucial for those considering a flexible work schedule, particularly in a community where physical therapist assistants play vital roles across different rehabilitation environments.
About the Liberal 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) | $22.10 | $176.78 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.30 | $210.39 |
| Median (P50) | $28.63 | $229.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.19 | $249.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $36.51 | $292.08 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Liberal
Based on $28.63/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.63/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Liberal, KS can expect to earn approximately $59,552 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,357. With a cost-of-living index of 90.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Liberal.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Liberal
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,145.23 | $4,963 | $59,552 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $687.14 | $2,978 | $35,731 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $458.09 | $1,985 | $23,821 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Liberal) | $28.63 |
| 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 Liberal, KS earn a median of $59,555 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.22% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 6.70% below the Kansas state average of $63,831.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.63/hr = $35,731/year (purchasing power: $39,308).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $59,552/year (purchasing power: $65,514).
CoL index: 90.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.96/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.87/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.63/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Liberal (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.96/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.36/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.94/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.58/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.12/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.46/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.87/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.63/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.41/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Liberal grew 16.3% from $23.96/hr (2019) to $27.87/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.41/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 Liberal 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 Liberal
Examining part-time opportunities reveals that a physical therapist assistant working three days a week, totaling approximately 24 hours, could net around $36,185 annually, contrasting with a full-time professional’s earning potential. Per-diem physical therapist assistants in Liberal typically charge between $32 and $48 per hour. Additionally, traveling PTA contracts can provide weekly pay ranging from $1,200 to $1,800. However, it's essential to recognize that compensation in skilled nursing facilities has seen downward pressure since Medicare's 15% reimbursement cut that took effect in 2022. Hourly rates may fluctuate based on employer types, with outpatient orthopedic clinics often providing higher pay compared to home health or school therapy programs. PTAs may also face decisions between lower hourly pay with benefits or seeking higher wages without healthcare coverage. This often requires strategic negotiation to ensure fair compensation aligned with the demands of their roles while working in a dynamic environment like Liberal, KS.
More salary data for Liberal, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Liberal in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Liberal?
Are physical therapist assistants in Liberal paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Liberal?
Do physical therapist assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Liberal?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Kansas
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 Liberal. 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 Liberal 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