Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Atlantic City, NJ: $36.27 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Atlantic City, NJ runs $36.27 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $75,445 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Atlantic City's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.9, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $36.69 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $45,270 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Atlantic City, New Jersey, the physical therapist assistant hourly pay is projected at $36.27 in 2026, outpacing the national average of $33.77. This competitive rate offers attractive options for part-time roles, such as those working three days a week, allowing for an effective balance between personal life and professional commitments. For part-time and per-diem physical therapist assistants, who are often employed in outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and hospital settings, the hourly pay can significantly impact their lifestyle. Entry-level PTAs can expect starting hourly rates around $30.79, while top earners may reach up to $39.91. These figures indicate a promising job outlook for PTAs in Atlantic City, encouraging both new graduates and experienced professionals to pursue opportunities in this evolving healthcare landscape, especially amid pressures from recent Medicare cuts.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30.79 | $246.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32.52 | $260.19 |
| Median (P50) | $36.27 | $290.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.15 | $305.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.91 | $319.28 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Atlantic City
Based on $36.27/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $36.27/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Atlantic City, NJ can expect to earn approximately $75,450 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $43,529. With a cost-of-living index of 98.86 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Atlantic City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Atlantic City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,450.96 | $6,287 | $75,450 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $870.58 | $3,772 | $45,270 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $580.38 | $2,515 | $30,180 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Atlantic City) | $36.27 |
| 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 Atlantic City, NJ earn a median of $75,445 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.40% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 6.80% below the New Jersey state average of $80,949.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $36.27/hr = $45,270/year (purchasing power: $45,793).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $75,450/year (purchasing power: $76,322).
CoL index: 98.857 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$30.36/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$35.31/hr
2026 Current Est.
$36.27/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Atlantic City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30.36/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.34/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $31.59/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $32.41/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $33.09/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.80/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $35.31/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36.27/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $37.26/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Atlantic City grew 16.3% from $30.36/hr (2019) to $35.31/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $37.26/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 Atlantic City 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 Atlantic City
For part-time physical therapist assistants, working a schedule of 24 hours a week could translate to substantial earnings — around $45,131 yearly compared to those employed full-time, who have higher potential incomes but may face long hours. Per diem roles, on the other hand, frequently present varied compensation ranging from $32 to $48 per hour, with travel contract positions offering significantly higher weekly wages of $1,200 to $1,800. The hourly pay can vary depending on the employer, with outpatient orthopedic clinics typically providing more competitive rates than skilled nursing facilities, where the impact of the Medicare reimbursement rate cuts from 2022 has affected PTA pay trajectories. While some physical therapist assistants may take positions offering lower hourly rates for health benefits and job security, others may prefer the flexibility and potentially higher pay associated with per diem work. Negotiating effectively is crucial; PTAs should familiarize themselves with local compensation trends to ensure they are receiving competitive pay based on their skills and experience in Atlantic City.
More salary data for Atlantic City, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Atlantic City in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Atlantic City?
Are physical therapist assistants in Atlantic City paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Atlantic City?
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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 Atlantic City. 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, 3-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