Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Watertown, MA: $37.36 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Watertown, MA runs $37.36 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $77,711 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Watertown's regional price level (BEA RPP 108.5, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $34.44 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $46,629 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Watertown, Massachusetts, physical therapist assistants earn a median hourly rate of $37.36, which is notably higher than the national median of $33.77. This competitive hourly wage significantly benefits those working part-time, such as those in outpatient clinics or home health settings who may only be on the job three days a week. The hourly wage range for these professionals stretches from $26.58 to $46.05, indicating that even entry-level positions can provide a reasonable income while top-earning physical therapist assistants enjoy premium pay. This rate reflects the estimates derived from annual salary figures, which indicate healthy compensation for the physical therapist assistant role in the area.
About the Watertown Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $26.58 | $212.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $34.12 | $272.93 |
| Median (P50) | $37.36 | $298.90 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $41.66 | $333.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $46.05 | $368.43 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Watertown
Based on $37.36/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $37.36/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Watertown, MA can expect to earn approximately $77,715 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $44,835. With a cost-of-living index of 108.50 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Watertown.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Watertown
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,494.52 | $6,476 | $77,715 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $896.71 | $3,886 | $46,629 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $597.81 | $2,590 | $31,086 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Watertown) | $37.36 |
| 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 Watertown, MA earn a median of $77,711 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.63% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 1.30% below the Massachusetts state average of $78,735.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $37.36/hr = $46,629/year (purchasing power: $42,976).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $77,715/year (purchasing power: $71,627).
CoL index: 108.5 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$31.27/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$36.37/hr
2026 Current Est.
$37.36/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Watertown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31.27/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.79/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $32.54/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $33.39/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $34.08/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $37.07/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $36.37/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37.36/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $38.38/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Watertown grew 16.3% from $31.27/hr (2019) to $36.37/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $38.38/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 Watertown 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 Watertown
Part-time physical therapist assistants who work 24 hours a week can expect an annual take-home of approximately $46,800, which can be an attractive option for those seeking a better work-life balance compared to full-time commitments. Many per diem physical therapist assistants in Watertown can command rates between $32 and $48 per hour, with traveling contracts yielding higher weekly earnings of between $1,200 and $1,800. Nonetheless, the recent 15% Medicare cut has affected pay for agency staff in skilled nursing facilities, forcing some professionals to choose between lower hourly rates with additional health benefits or higher rates without benefits. There’s a variety of pay across different employer types in the area, including outpatient clinics, hospitals, and pediatric therapy. For those negotiating, it's important to showcase relevant experience and skills while being aware of the prevailing rates in the respective therapeutic settings.
More salary data for Watertown, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Watertown in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Watertown?
Are physical therapist assistants in Watertown paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Watertown?
Do physical therapist assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Watertown?
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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 Watertown. 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 Watertown 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