Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Joplin, MO: $28.76 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Joplin, MO runs $28.76 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $59,830 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Joplin's regional price level (BEA RPP 85.7, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.56 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,898 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Joplin, Missouri, physical therapist assistants earn a median hourly rate of $28.76, which is notably lower than the national median of $33.77. This discrepancy indicates that local practitioners may face financial limitations compared to their peers across the nation. For those working part-time—such as in outpatient clinic gyms or skilled nursing facilities—the earnings can vary widely. For example, a PTA working three days per week may achieve lower annual earnings than their full-time counterparts, but the flexibility can be appealing. Entry-level positions can start in the lower range of $23.69 per hour, while experienced PTAs can command upwards of $44.30 in certain high-demand settings, making the pay scale quite varied throughout Joplin. This information is derived from projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.69 | $189.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.55 | $204.39 |
| Median (P50) | $28.76 | $230.12 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.56 | $292.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44.30 | $354.38 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Joplin
Based on $28.76/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.76/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Joplin, MO can expect to earn approximately $59,830 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,517. With a cost-of-living index of 85.72 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Joplin.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Joplin
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,150.58 | $4,986 | $59,830 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $690.35 | $2,991 | $35,898 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $460.23 | $1,994 | $23,932 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Joplin) | $28.76 |
| 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 Joplin, MO earn a median of $59,830 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.83% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 5.40% below the Missouri state average of $63,245.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.76/hr = $35,898/year (purchasing power: $41,879).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $59,830/year (purchasing power: $69,799).
CoL index: 85.718 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.88/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.00/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.76/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+18.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Joplin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.88/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.62/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.51/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.25/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.57/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.78/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.00/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.76/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.55/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Joplin grew 12.5% from $24.88/hr (2019) to $28.00/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.55/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 Joplin 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 Joplin
Consider the implications of part-time and per-diem work for physical therapist assistants and their annual earnings in Joplin. A PTA working 24 hours a week at the median hourly rate takes home around $35,000 annually, which can significantly impact their lifestyle and career choices. Meanwhile, per diem physical therapist assistants in Joplin may see rates between $32 to $48 per hour, offering potentially higher immediate earnings, though without the stability of full-time work. Contract opportunities for travel PTAs can yield $1,200 to $1,800 weekly. However, some practices, notably skilled nursing facilities, have seen reduced pay due to recent Medicare cuts, which can limit PTA wages. Different types of employers also vary in hourly rates; outpatient clinics might offer competitive salaries, but positions in SNFs or home health agencies often come with higher job security and benefits. Local PTAs should weigh the trade-offs between hourly pay rates and additional benefits like health insurance, particularly when negotiating salaries in Joplin's job market.
More salary data for Joplin, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Joplin in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Joplin?
Are physical therapist assistants in Joplin paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Joplin?
Do physical therapist assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Joplin?
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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 Joplin. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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