Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Great Falls, MT: $30.57 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Great Falls, MT runs $30.57 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $63,590 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Great Falls's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.8, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.57 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,154 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
For 2026, physical therapist assistants in Great Falls, Montana, are projected to earn a median hourly rate of $30.57, which is approximately 9.48% lower than the national hourly median of $33.77. This hourly rate presents a viable income source for both part-time workers and per-diem professionals who may operate in various settings, including outpatient clinic gyms, skilled nursing facilities, home health visits, and pediatric therapy spaces. Entry-level positions typically offer compensation starting around $23.97 per hour, while the most experienced practitioners can command up to $38.08 per hour, reflecting a wide range of opportunities based on expertise and location. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.97 | $191.74 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.34 | $210.72 |
| Median (P50) | $30.57 | $244.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $30.66 | $245.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.08 | $304.66 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Great Falls
Based on $30.57/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.57/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Great Falls, MT can expect to earn approximately $63,591 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,687. With a cost-of-living index of 96.84 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Great Falls.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Great Falls
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,222.90 | $5,299 | $63,591 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $733.74 | $3,180 | $38,154 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $489.16 | $2,120 | $25,436 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Great Falls) | $30.57 |
| 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 Great Falls, MT earn a median of $63,590 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.48% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 5.90% below the Montana state average of $67,577.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.57/hr = $38,154/year (purchasing power: $39,397).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $63,591/year (purchasing power: $65,662).
CoL index: 96.845 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.18/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.76/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.57/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Great Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.18/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.01/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.16/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.09/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.32/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.90/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.76/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.57/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.41/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Great Falls grew 23.1% from $24.18/hr (2019) to $29.76/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.41/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 Great Falls 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 Great Falls
In terms of earnings potential, a part-time physical therapist assistant working three days a week would net roughly 24 hours of work each week. This arrangement leads to considerable variation in annual income compared to full-time positions, affecting both lifestyle and benefits. Per diem staffing can provide flexibility, but per diem physical therapist assistant pay in Great Falls typically ranges between $32 and $48 per hour, especially for travel contracts that can yield $1,200 to $1,800 weekly. Various employer types in the area, including outpatient orthopedic clinics and skilled nursing facilities, can influence hourly rates, particularly in light of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut that impacted many roles in 2022. While some PTAs may prefer the benefits of steady employment at lower hourly rates, others opt for less consistent roles that offer higher pay. To negotiate effectively, it's crucial for hourly workers in Great Falls to highlight their skills and experience while understanding the current market dynamics, enabling them to make informed decisions in their career paths.
More salary data for Great Falls, MT:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Great Falls in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Great Falls?
Are physical therapist assistants in Great Falls paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Great Falls?
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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 Great Falls. 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