Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Blue Springs, MO: $29.51 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Blue Springs, MO runs $29.51 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $61,383 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Blue Springs's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.6, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.94 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,834 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Blue Springs, Missouri, physical therapist assistants earn a median hourly rate of $29.51, which is notably lower than the national median of $33.77. This wage reflects the local healthcare market and can affect several work arrangements, particularly for part-time workers and those seeking per-diem positions. For instance, a physical therapist assistant working three days a week might find that this hourly compensation impacts their ability to thrive on part-time hours, while per-diem opportunities provide flexibility to work in diverse settings, such as outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and home health visits. The hourly pay for PTAs in Blue Springs ranges from $20.99 for entry-level positions up to $39.37 for those at the top of the pay scale, indicating a potential growth trajectory depending on experience and the type of practice.
About the Blue Springs Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.99 | $167.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.89 | $207.10 |
| Median (P50) | $29.51 | $236.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.53 | $276.22 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.37 | $314.93 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Blue Springs
Based on $29.51/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.51/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Blue Springs, MO can expect to earn approximately $61,390 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,417. With a cost-of-living index of 89.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Blue Springs.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Blue Springs
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,180.57 | $5,116 | $61,390 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $708.34 | $3,069 | $36,834 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $472.23 | $2,046 | $24,556 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Blue Springs) | $29.51 |
| 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 Blue Springs, MO earn a median of $61,383 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.62% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 2.90% below the Missouri state average of $63,217.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.51/hr = $36,834/year (purchasing power: $41,109).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $61,390/year (purchasing power: $68,515).
CoL index: 89.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.70/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.73/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.51/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Blue Springs (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.70/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.11/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.70/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.37/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.92/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.10/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.73/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.51/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.32/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Blue Springs grew 16.3% from $24.70/hr (2019) to $28.73/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.32/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 Blue Springs 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 Blue Springs
Evaluating the financial implications of part-time work versus full-time in Blue Springs reveals interesting dynamics. A physical therapist assistant choosing to work three days a week, totaling approximately 24 hours, could expect to take home about $36,195 annually, significantly less than what a full-time counterpart would earn. For those considering per diem roles, pay rates typically vary from $32 to $48 an hour, presenting lucrative options, especially for PTAs seeking flexible work arrangements. On the other hand, contract positions might offer weekly earnings between $1,200 and $1,800, but competition for these roles can be intense. Different employer types also influence hourly compensation, with outpatient orthopedic clinics often offering competitive rates compared to skilled nursing facilities, which have faced pay compression due to the 15% Medicare cut. While some PTAs accept lower hourly rates for the benefits associated with full-time employment, others opt for higher rates without benefits, contributing to an evolving work environment in Blue Springs. Understanding these nuances can better equip PTAs to negotiate their pay based on their professional needs and the local job market.
More salary data for Blue Springs, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Blue Springs in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Blue Springs?
Are physical therapist assistants in Blue Springs paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Blue Springs?
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Related Pages
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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 Blue Springs. 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 Blue Springs 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