Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in St. Joseph, MO: $30.38 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in St. Joseph, MO runs $30.38 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $63,189 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against St. Joseph's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.4, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $35.17 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,911 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In St. Joseph, Missouri, physical therapist assistants earn a median hourly pay of $30.38, which is notably lower than the national median of $33.77. For those working part-time—such as on a three-day-per-week schedule—this pay translates into a significant opportunity for additional flexibility, especially in various practice settings like outpatient clinic gyms, skilled nursing rehabilitation facilities, home health visits, hospital inpatient rehabilitation units, and pediatric therapy spaces. Entry-level positions in St. Joseph typically start around $28.45 per hour, while more experienced professionals can earn up to $39.65 per hour, illustrating a substantial range in hourly rates reflective of experience, specialty, and the setting in which the physical therapist assistant operates. This data is sourced from projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS figures, providing a reliable benchmark for aspiring PTAs in the area.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $28.45 | $227.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.70 | $229.62 |
| Median (P50) | $30.38 | $243.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.86 | $302.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.65 | $317.23 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in St. Joseph
Based on $30.38/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.38/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in St. Joseph, MO can expect to earn approximately $63,185 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,453. With a cost-of-living index of 86.38 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in St. Joseph.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in St. Joseph
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,215.09 | $5,265 | $63,185 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $729.05 | $3,159 | $37,911 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $486.04 | $2,106 | $25,274 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (St. Joseph) | $30.38 |
| 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. Joseph, MO earn a median of $63,189 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.05% lower than the national median of $70,247.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.38/hr = $37,911/year (purchasing power: $43,887).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $63,185/year (purchasing power: $73,146).
CoL index: 86.382 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.30/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.57/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.38/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+23.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in St. Joseph (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.30/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.19/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.64/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.14/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.58/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.66/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.57/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.38/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.21/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in St. Joseph grew 16.9% from $25.30/hr (2019) to $29.57/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.21/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. Joseph 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. Joseph
When considering part-time work, a physical therapist assistant in St. Joseph can expect to take home around $37,921 annually, based on a typical 24-hour workweek, compared to the higher earnings of full-time positions. For those exploring the per diem option, physical therapist assistant pay in St. Joseph can often range from $32 to $48 per hour, significantly impacted by employer type. Travel contracts tend to offer even greater weekly earnings of between $1,200 and $1,800, appealing for those looking for flexibility or short-term commitments. However, the recent Medicare cuts have caused a decrease in supplemental pay in skilled nursing facilities, urging assistants to adapt to the changing financial landscape. This variation in hourly compensation reflects differing employer types, including outpatient orthopedic clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and home health agencies. Ultimately, some PTAs may choose lower hourly rates for the benefits that come with these positions, while others may prioritize higher pay without benefits. Practical negotiation skills are essential, especially in a competitive market like St. Joseph where understanding one’s worth can lead to better pay outcomes.
More salary data for St. Joseph, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in St. Joseph in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in St. Joseph?
Are physical therapist assistants in St. Joseph paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in St. Joseph?
Do physical therapist assistants earn more per hour working part-time in St. Joseph?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Missouri
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. Joseph. 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, 6-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