Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Scarborough, ME: $32.09 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Scarborough, ME runs $32.09 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $66,754 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Scarborough's regional price level (BEA RPP 99.6, 0% above national), each hour of work buys what $32.22 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $40,052 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Scarborough, ME, the projected median hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant in 2026 is $32.09, which is slightly below the national median of $33.77. This hourly rate provides a foundation for both part-time and per-diem avenues within the field. For professionals working part-time, such as those on a typical 3-day-per-week schedule, earnings can still be substantial. The range for physical therapist assistants in Scarborough spans from $23.42 at the lower end to $38.18 for top earners, showcasing that entry-level positions can still offer a viable income while experienced professionals can command higher hourly rates. Working environments in this area often include outpatient clinic gyms, skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, and pediatric therapy spaces, where such rates can be instrumental in one’s cash flow management.
About the Scarborough Market
Salary estimated from Maine average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.42 | $187.38 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.67 | $237.35 |
| Median (P50) | $32.09 | $256.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.13 | $281.07 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.18 | $305.48 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Scarborough
Based on $32.09/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.09/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Scarborough, ME can expect to earn approximately $66,753 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $38,511. With a cost-of-living index of 99.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Scarborough.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Scarborough
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,283.71 | $5,563 | $66,753 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $770.23 | $3,338 | $40,052 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $513.49 | $2,225 | $26,701 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Scarborough) | $32.09 |
| 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 Scarborough, ME earn a median of $66,754 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.97% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 4.60% below the Maine state average of $69,973.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.09/hr = $40,052/year (purchasing power: $40,213).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $66,753/year (purchasing power: $67,021).
CoL index: 99.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$26.86/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.24/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.09/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Scarborough (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.86/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.31/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.95/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.68/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.28/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.33/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.24/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.09/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.97/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Scarborough grew 16.3% from $26.86/hr (2019) to $31.24/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.97/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 Scarborough 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 Scarborough
Considering the dynamics of employment in Scarborough, physical therapist assistants may find different earning potentials depending on their employment type. A part-time PTA working three days a week, totaling around 24 hours, could generate approximately $36,507 annually—while this is lesser than a full-time equivalent, it still demonstrates decent earning potential for those seeking balance. For per-diem physical therapist assistants, pay typically ranges from $32 to $48 per hour, notably influenced by the type of facility and patient demographic. Special contracts for traveling physical therapist assistants can yield between $1,200 to $1,800 per week, but the competitiveness of agency hourly rates around skilled nursing facilities may falter due to the 15% Medicare reimbursement cuts enacted in 2022, lowering the incentive for high hourly pay in those locales. As various outpatient orthopedic clinics, home health agencies, and rehabs continue to adapt to these changes, PTAs in Scarborough might consider negotiating their rates by highlighting unique skills or certifications to secure better compensation aligned with their work environment while balancing benefits that some may trade for higher hourly rates.
More salary data for Scarborough, ME:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Scarborough in 2026?
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Are physical therapist assistants in Scarborough paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Scarborough?
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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 Scarborough. 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 Scarborough 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