Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Butte, MT: $31.58 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Butte, MT runs $31.58 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $65,674 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Butte's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.2, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.83 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,411 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Butte, Montana, the physical therapist assistant hourly pay stands at a median of $31.58, which is slightly below the national median of $33.77. This rate offers substantial earning potential for part-time practitioners working three days a week, as well as for per-diem providers in various settings such as outpatient therapy clinics, skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), home health visits, and pediatric therapy offices. With an hourly range from $21.65 for entry-level positions up to $41.02 for top earners, physical therapist assistants (PTAs) have flexibility in their roles. These hourly rates are derived from annual salary estimates and illustrate the financial viability of working in a field that is critical to rehabilitation and patient care in the region.
About the Butte Market
Salary estimated from Montana average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.65 | $173.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.23 | $225.84 |
| Median (P50) | $31.58 | $252.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.49 | $291.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.02 | $328.16 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Butte
Based on $31.58/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.58/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Butte, MT can expect to earn approximately $65,685 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,895. With a cost-of-living index of 96.20 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Butte.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Butte
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,263.17 | $5,474 | $65,685 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $757.90 | $3,284 | $39,411 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $505.27 | $2,189 | $26,274 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Butte) | $31.58 |
| 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 Butte, MT earn a median of $65,674 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.51% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 2.80% below the Montana state average of $67,566.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.58/hr = $39,411/year (purchasing power: $40,968).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $65,685/year (purchasing power: $68,279).
CoL index: 96.2 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$26.43/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.74/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.58/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Butte (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.43/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.87/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.50/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.22/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.81/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.87/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.74/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.58/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.44/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Butte grew 16.3% from $26.43/hr (2019) to $30.74/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.44/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 Butte 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 Butte
For PTAs in Butte pursuing part-time roles, consistently working 24 hours per week could yield a take-home of approximately $45,021 annually, significantly less than a full-time assistant. On the other hand, per-diem workers can command hourly wages between $32 and $48, while travel PTA positions might offer contracts that net $1,200 to $1,800 each week, reflecting the diverse earning opportunities within the sector. Hourly rates can vary greatly across employer types; outpatient orthopedic clinics often offer competitive pay, while SNFs may see reduced agency PTA premiums due to recent changes in Medicare reimbursement rates. Additionally, many PTAs weigh benefits against higher hourly rates, often choosing lower-paying positions with health insurance to secure financial stability. Negotiating hourly wage can be advantageous, especially when emphasizing experience and certifications from recognized programs like CAPTE or APTA.
More salary data for Butte, MT:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Butte in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Butte?
Are physical therapist assistants in Butte paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Butte?
Do physical therapist assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Butte?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Montana
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 Butte. 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 Butte 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