Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Hammond, LA: $30.42 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Hammond, LA runs $30.42 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $63,271 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Hammond's regional price level (BEA RPP 84.5, 16% below national), each hour of work buys what $36.02 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,962 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Hammond, Louisiana, physical therapist assistants (PTAs) earn a median hourly pay of $30.42, which is somewhat lower than the national median of $33.77. This pay structure offers various opportunities for part-time and per-diem workers, especially those who typically work in outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, or provide home health services. The hourly wage can range from as low as $11.61 for entry-level positions up to $36.81 for those at the higher end, allowing for flexibility in earnings depending on experience and work setting. The official BLS figures are reflective of the growing demand for PTAs and signal the competitive nature of the job market in Hammond with approximately 70 PTAs actively employed.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $11.61 | $92.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $11.88 | $95.00 |
| Median (P50) | $30.42 | $243.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.67 | $277.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $36.81 | $294.47 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Hammond
Based on $30.42/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.42/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Hammond, LA can expect to earn approximately $63,270 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,502. With a cost-of-living index of 84.46 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Hammond.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Hammond
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,216.73 | $5,273 | $63,270 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $730.04 | $3,164 | $37,962 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $486.69 | $2,109 | $25,308 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Hammond) | $30.42 |
| 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 Hammond, LA earn a median of $63,271 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.93% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 5.30% below the Louisiana state average of $66,812.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.42/hr = $37,962/year (purchasing power: $44,947).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $63,270/year (purchasing power: $74,911).
CoL index: 84.46 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$26.17/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.61/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.42/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+19.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Hammond (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.17/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $29.04/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.23/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.23/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.39/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $14.24/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.61/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.42/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.25/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Hammond grew 13.1% from $26.17/hr (2019) to $29.61/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.25/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 Hammond 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 Hammond
In considering the financial prospects, a physical therapist assistant working three days a week, totaling 24 hours, could take home significantly less annually compared to a full-time position. Per diem physical therapist assistant pay in Hammond typically ranges from $32 to $48 an hour, although travel contracts may lead to earnings of $1,200 to $1,800 weekly. However, with the Medicare cuts introduced in 2022 affecting SNF payment rates, agency PTA roles have seen a drop in premium pay, making the setup less favorable for some. Additionally, hourly rates can vary tremendously across different employer types in Hammond, with outpatient orthopedic clinics often paying higher wages compared to skilled nursing facilities or home health agencies. Some PTAs opt for slightly lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits like health insurance, while others with a robust negotiation strategy might secure a higher hourly wage without added benefits. Understanding these dynamics can be critical for PTAs navigating their career paths in Hammond, LA.
More salary data for Hammond, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Hammond in 2026?
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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 Hammond. 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