Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Kenner, LA: $31.46 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Kenner, LA runs $31.46 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $65,437 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Kenner's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.3, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $34.83 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,257 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Kenner, Louisiana, physical therapist assistants earn a median hourly rate of $31.46, which is slightly lower than the national median of $33.77 per hour. This hourly compensation reflects what professionals in various settings, including outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and home health, might expect to earn, particularly for those working part-time or on a per-diem basis. For instance, a part-time physical therapist assistant working three days a week typically navigates the hourly pay structure effectively, with entry-level wages starting at around $22.82 and top earners making up to $42.52 per hour. Such potential earnings could support a flexible lifestyle while contributing to healthcare teams across Kenner's diverse rehabilitation environments.
About the Kenner Market
Salary estimated from Louisiana average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.82 | $182.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.92 | $223.38 |
| Median (P50) | $31.46 | $251.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.14 | $297.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42.52 | $340.16 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Kenner
Based on $31.46/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.46/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Kenner, LA can expect to earn approximately $65,428 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,747. With a cost-of-living index of 90.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Kenner.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Kenner
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,258.24 | $5,452 | $65,428 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $754.94 | $3,271 | $39,257 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $503.29 | $2,181 | $26,171 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Kenner) | $31.46 |
| 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 Kenner, LA earn a median of $65,437 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.85% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 2.00% below the Louisiana state average of $66,772.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.46/hr = $39,257/year (purchasing power: $43,474).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $65,428/year (purchasing power: $72,457).
CoL index: 90.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$26.33/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.62/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.46/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Kenner (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.33/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.76/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.40/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.11/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.69/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.37/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.62/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.46/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.31/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Kenner grew 16.3% from $26.33/hr (2019) to $30.62/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.31/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 Kenner 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 Kenner
When examining part-time earnings for a 3-day work week, which totals about 24 hours, physical therapist assistants could take home an annual income that aligns with their available hours, providing a reasonable income that varies based on their work settings. Per-diem physical therapist assistants in Kenner often experience pay rates between $32 and $48 per hour; travel contracts might further enhance earnings, offering weekly compensation between $1,200 and $1,800. However, the recent 15% Medicare reimbursement cut has pressured wages in skilled nursing facilities, making some employers less competitive in terms of hourly pay. Physical therapist assistants should also consider the variances between different employer types in Kenner; outpatient clinics might offer structured hours and benefits, whereas per-diem positions could provide flexibility at the cost of job security. When negotiating pay, it is practical for PTAs to assess the total compensation package and communicate their expected hourly rate while considering the benefits or premium pay that could compensate for lower hourly rates.
More salary data for Kenner, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Kenner in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Kenner?
Are physical therapist assistants in Kenner paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Kenner?
Do physical therapist assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Kenner?
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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 Kenner. 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 Kenner 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