Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in St. Charles, MO: $30.73 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in St. Charles, MO runs $30.73 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $63,922 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against St. Charles's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.6, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $34.29 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,347 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In St. Charles, Missouri, physical therapist assistants can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $30.73, distinctly lower than the national median of $33.77. This figure represents substantial potential for part-time and per-diem employment in settings such as outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, home health visits, and pediatric therapy spaces. For those choosing part-time work, typically at around three days per week, this rate provides a reliable income while allowing flexibility. The hourly income in St. Charles varies widely, with the range stretching from approximately $21.40 for entry-level positions to $39.21 for the most experienced professionals in the field, underscoring diverse earning potentials depending on experience and specific employment environments.
About the St. Charles 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) | $21.40 | $171.19 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.61 | $212.86 |
| Median (P50) | $30.73 | $245.81 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.98 | $279.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.21 | $313.70 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in St. Charles
Based on $30.73/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.73/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in St. Charles, MO can expect to earn approximately $63,911 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,872. With a cost-of-living index of 89.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in St. Charles.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in St. Charles
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,229.06 | $5,326 | $63,911 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $737.44 | $3,196 | $38,347 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $491.62 | $2,130 | $25,564 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (St. Charles) | $30.73 |
| 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 St. Charles, MO earn a median of $63,922 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.00% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 1.10% above the Missouri state average of $63,226.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.73/hr = $38,347/year (purchasing power: $42,798).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $63,911/year (purchasing power: $71,329).
CoL index: 89.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.72/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.91/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.73/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in St. Charles (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.72/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.14/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.76/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.46/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.03/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.14/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.91/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.73/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.57/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in St. Charles grew 16.3% from $25.72/hr (2019) to $29.91/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.57/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 St. Charles 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 St. Charles
For physical therapist assistants working part-time in St. Charles, a typical schedule of 24 hours a week translates to an annual income of about $38,701. This contrasts sharply with the full-time earning potential, creating a viable choice for those who value a balanced work-life dynamic. Additionally, per diem physical therapist assistant pay in St. Charles usually falls between $32 and $48 per hour, with travel PTA contracts generating $1,200 to $1,800 weekly. However, the recent 15% cut in Medicare reimbursement since 2022 affects pay in Medicare-heavy settings, like skilled nursing facilities, often leading to lower hourly rates. Differentiating among employer types, outpatient clinics may offer more competitive wages than hospital inpatient rehab or home health agencies. Those in St. Charles are encouraged to negotiate pay, particularly in environments where benefits such as health insurance are provided, which can be a significant trade-off for some PTAs when considering overall compensation packages.
More salary data for St. Charles, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in St. Charles in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in St. Charles?
Are physical therapist assistants in St. Charles paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in St. Charles?
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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 St. Charles. 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 St. Charles 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