Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Wichita, KS: $31.07 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Wichita, KS runs $31.07 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $64,617 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Wichita's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.9, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $34.93 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,770 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
With a median hourly pay of $31.07, physical therapist assistants (PTAs) in Wichita, Kansas, earn slightly less than the national median hourly rate of $33.77. This hourly figure is significant for those considering part-time roles or per-diem work, which typically involves flexible hours in settings such as outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, home health visits, and hospitals. For PTAs who work three days a week, the earnings can be substantial, ranging from the entry-level rate of $25.75 to around $38.11 for top performers. Such wages allow for a comfortable lifestyle, especially in a city where the cost of living index is lower than the national average, and this official Bureau of Labor Statistics data reflects the growing demand for PTAs in the region as the healthcare field expands.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.75 | $206.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.26 | $234.06 |
| Median (P50) | $31.07 | $248.52 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.61 | $292.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.11 | $304.90 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wichita
Based on $31.07/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.07/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wichita, KS can expect to earn approximately $64,616 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,279. With a cost-of-living index of 88.95 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Wichita.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wichita
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,242.62 | $5,385 | $64,616 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $745.57 | $3,231 | $38,770 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $497.05 | $2,154 | $25,847 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Wichita) | $31.07 |
| 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 Wichita, KS earn a median of $64,617 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.01% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 1.20% above the Kansas state average of $63,851.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.07/hr = $38,770/year (purchasing power: $43,588).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $64,616/year (purchasing power: $72,647).
CoL index: 88.946 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$30.17/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.24/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.07/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+5.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Wichita (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30.17/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.80/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.76/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.81/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.41/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.07/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.24/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.07/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.91/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Wichita grew 0.2% from $30.17/hr (2019) to $30.24/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.91/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 Wichita 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 Wichita
Beyond the standard hourly pay, part-time physical therapist assistants working in Wichita might find themselves taking home a competitive income annually, even when compared to full-time colleagues. Per diem work offers flexibility; however, PTAs in this arrangement typically earn between $32 and $48 per hour, with travel contracts offering pay around $1,200 to $1,800 weekly. It's important to note that the 15% Medicare cuts that took effect in 2022 have led some skilled nursing facilities to offer reduced hourly rates due to tighter budgets. Variations in hourly pay among employers can be attributed to the type of facility, with outpatient clinics and private practices generally providing better compensation than schools or home health agencies. Those working in specialized environments, such as pediatric therapy or inpatient rehab, often need to weigh the trade-off between higher hourly rates without benefits against lower rates that offer comprehensive health insurance. Negotiating pay may involve emphasizing skills gained through APTA-accredited programs, embracing opportunities that lead from PTA roles to DPT pathways.
More salary data for Wichita, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Wichita in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Wichita?
Are physical therapist assistants in Wichita paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Wichita?
Do physical therapist assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Wichita?
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 Wichita. 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, 7-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