PT Assistant Salary

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.

$66,754
Median Annual Salary
$32.09/hr
Hourly Rate
$48,713
Entry Level (P10)
$79,423
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Rate in Scarborough, ME — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Scarborough, ME physical therapist assistant hourly rate overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

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

PercentileHourly RatePer 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.

Horizontal bars showing a physical therapist assistant in Scarborough earning $32.09/hr would make approximately $38,511 part-time (24 hr/wk) or $66,753 full-time (40 hr/wk).Part-Time (24 hr/wk)$38,511Reduced (32 hr/wk)$51,349Full-Time (40 hr/wk)$66,753

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.

Annual estimates assume 5052 working weeks per year. Actual earnings vary by employer, overtime, and benefits.

Hourly Rate Calculator

$256.74
per 8hr shift
$1,283.71
per week
$5,563
per month
$66,753
per year

Schedule Comparison in Scarborough

ScheduleWeeklyMonthlyAnnual
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

RoleMedian 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
Horizontal bar chart comparing physical therapist assistant median salary in Scarborough ($66,754) with Maine average ($69,973) and the US national median ($70,247).Scarborough$66,754Maine Avg$69,973-4.60%US National$70,247-4.97%

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 (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Hourly rate trajectory chart for physical therapist assistants in Scarborough. Baseline $26.86/hr in 2025, projected to $32.97/hr by 2027.$26$28$30$32$342019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$26.86$27.31$27.95$28.68$29.28$28.33$31.24$32.09$32.97
YearHourly RateStatus
2019$26.86/hrActual
2020$27.31/hrActual
2021$27.95/hrActual
2022$28.68/hrActual
2023$29.28/hrActual
2024$28.33/hrActual
2025$31.24/hrActual
2026(current)$32.09/hrEstimated
2027$32.97/hrProjected

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 (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Scarborough metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Scarborough in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Scarborough is $32.09/hour, based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 2.73% annual growth). Rates range from $23.42 at entry level (10th percentile) to $38.18 for experienced practitioners (90th percentile). This is 5.0% below the national average. Hourly pay varies based on practice type, patient volume, years of experience, and whether the position includes benefits.

How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Scarborough?

A part-time physical therapist assistant working 3 days per week (24 hours) in Scarborough earns approximately $3,338/month, or $40,052/year at the median hourly rate of $32.09. Many physical therapist assistants prefer part-time schedules for work-life balance, and some work at multiple practices to maximize earnings. Part-time positions may not include benefits like health insurance or retirement contributions, but typically offer higher hourly rates to compensate.

Are physical therapist assistants in Scarborough paid hourly or salary?

The majority of physical therapist assistants in Scarborough are paid hourly at a median rate of $32.09/hour. Some full-time positions at larger practices or organizations offer salaried compensation around $66,753/year, often bundled with benefits including health insurance, paid time off, retirement plans, and continuing education allowances. Hourly pay gives flexibility, while salary positions provide income stability.

How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Scarborough?

A full-time physical therapist assistant working 40 hours per week (2,080 hours/year) in Scarborough earns approximately $66,753/year at the median hourly rate of $32.09. This is 5.0% below the national median. Top earners working full-time can reach $79,424/year at the 90th percentile rate. Overtime and weekend shifts may further increase annual earnings.

Do physical therapist assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Scarborough?

Part-time and per diem physical therapist assistants in Scarborough sometimes command higher hourly rates — up to $38.18/hour — because practices need flexible coverage for specific days or peak hours. However, part-time positions typically do not include benefits like health insurance, paid time off, or retirement contributions. When factoring in the value of benefits, full-time salaried positions may offer comparable or better total compensation despite a slightly lower hourly rate.

Related Pages

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JL

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.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gonzalez, PTAData verified by Ahmed Khan, DPT

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).

View estimation methodology

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

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