Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Watertown, NY: $29.88 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Watertown, NY runs $29.88 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $62,155 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Watertown's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.9, 16% above national), each hour of work buys what $25.78 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,295 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Watertown, NY, physical therapist assistants earn a median hourly rate of $29.88, which is notably below the national median of $33.77. This lower rate reflects the economic conditions and living costs in the region. For part-time workers, such as those engaged in typical settings like outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, or home health visits, the hourly wage can support flexible work schedules, such as three days a week. Entry-level PTAs might start at approximately $21.49 per hour, while seasoned professionals can push their earnings to around $37.12 per hour, depending on their experience and work environment. As these rates are based on annual salary estimates, they present valuable insights into the expected pay landscape for physical therapist assistant hourly pay in Watertown.
About the Watertown Market
Salary estimated from New York average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.49 | $171.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.64 | $205.13 |
| Median (P50) | $29.88 | $239.07 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.49 | $267.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.12 | $296.93 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Watertown
Based on $29.88/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.88/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Watertown, NY can expect to earn approximately $62,159 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,861. With a cost-of-living index of 115.90 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Watertown.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Watertown
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,195.37 | $5,180 | $62,159 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $717.22 | $3,108 | $37,295 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $478.15 | $2,072 | $24,864 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Watertown) | $29.88 |
| 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 Watertown, NY earn a median of $62,155 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.52% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 0.80% below the New York state average of $62,656.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.88/hr = $37,295/year (purchasing power: $32,179).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $62,159/year (purchasing power: $53,632).
CoL index: 115.9 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$24.55/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.09/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.88/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Watertown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.55/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.80/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.03/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.70/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.26/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $37.58/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.09/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.88/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.70/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Watertown grew 18.5% from $24.55/hr (2019) to $29.09/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.70/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 Watertown 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 Watertown
Evaluating the financial prospects for part-time physical therapist assistants shows that working approximately 24 hours a week could yield about $37,267 annually, significantly less than a full-time position. Per diem physical therapist assistant pay in Watertown generally ranges between $32 and $48 per hour, providing an attractive option for those seeking more flexible engagements without the commitment of traditional full-time roles. However, agency contracts tend to offer lower hourly wages, particularly in skilled nursing facilities, due in part to the 15% Medicare cut impacting PTA pay since 2022. Variety in employer types influences hourly rates as well; outpatient clinics, home health agencies, and pediatric clinics often provide different compensation scales. Negotiating for better pay may involve weighing hourly rates against the availability of benefits. Some PTAs opt for higher hourly wages without benefits to retain flexibility, while others may prefer stable income alongside health insurance coverage.
More salary data for Watertown, NY:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Watertown in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Watertown?
Are physical therapist assistants in Watertown paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Watertown?
Do physical therapist assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Watertown?
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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 Watertown. 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 Watertown 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