Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Lee's Summit, MO: $30.12 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Lee's Summit, MO runs $30.12 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $62,659 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Lee's Summit's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.6, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.62 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,590 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Lee's Summit, Missouri, the physical therapist assistant hourly pay is projected to be $30.12 in 2026, slightly below the national hourly median of $33.77. This hourly rate positions physical therapist assistants well for a variety of work arrangements such as part-time or per-diem opportunities. For instance, those working three days a week could earn a stable income while benefiting from flexibility in their schedules. The hourly earnings range from $21.04 for entry-level positions to $41.02 for the top earners in the field. Worker settings such as outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and home health environments often determine specific compensation rates, which are derived from annual salary estimates.
About the Lee's Summit 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) | $21.04 | $168.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.19 | $209.49 |
| Median (P50) | $30.12 | $240.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.62 | $284.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.02 | $328.16 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lee's Summit
Based on $30.12/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.12/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lee's Summit, MO can expect to earn approximately $62,651 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,145. With a cost-of-living index of 89.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lee's Summit.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lee's Summit
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,204.82 | $5,221 | $62,651 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $722.89 | $3,133 | $37,590 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $481.93 | $2,088 | $25,060 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Lee's Summit) | $30.12 |
| 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 Lee's Summit, MO earn a median of $62,659 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.80% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 0.90% below the Missouri state average of $63,228.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.12/hr = $37,590/year (purchasing power: $41,953).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $62,651/year (purchasing power: $69,922).
CoL index: 89.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.21/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.32/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.12/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Lee's Summit (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.21/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.63/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.23/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.91/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.48/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.62/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.32/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.12/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.94/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Lee's Summit grew 16.3% from $25.21/hr (2019) to $29.32/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.94/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 Lee's Summit 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 Lee's Summit
Analyzing the compensation landscape for physical therapist assistants in Lee's Summit reveals distinct earning potentials depending on employment type. A part-time PTA working 24 hours a week can expect an annual income of approximately $37,856, which does not match the earning potential of a full-time counterpart. For per-diem physical therapist assistants, pay rates typically range from $32 to $48 per hour, with travel PTA contracts commonly offering $1,200 to $1,800 weekly. However, the Medicare cuts enacted in 2022 have impacted agency positions, especially in skilled nursing facilities where premium pay has decreased. Types of employment, like outpatient orthopedic clinics versus hospital inpatient rehab, can significantly influence pay rates in this area. Ultimately, some PTAs might choose the security of employer-provided benefits over potentially higher pay rates without health insurance. When negotiating hourly rates in Lee's Summit, it's crucial to assess compensation against the value of such benefits and the specific demands of one's role.
More salary data for Lee's Summit, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Lee's Summit in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Lee's Summit?
Are physical therapist assistants in Lee's Summit paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Lee's Summit?
Do physical therapist assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Lee's Summit?
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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 Lee's Summit. 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 Lee's Summit 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