Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Dayton, OH: $32.07 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Dayton, OH runs $32.07 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $66,703 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Dayton's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.7, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $34.60 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $40,026 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, physical therapist assistants in Dayton, Ohio, earn a median hourly rate of $32.07, slightly below the national median of $33.77. This rate presents a steady earning opportunity for those in various settings, such as outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and home health visits. Entry-level professionals can start at about $25.26 per hour, while top earners in the field can make up to $42.25. Whether working part-time or per diem, physical therapist assistants can find flexibility in their schedules, allowing for work three days a week or on an as-needed basis. Such arrangements can be beneficial in managing workloads while receiving competitive compensation based on the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, projected to 2026.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.26 | $202.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.58 | $236.61 |
| Median (P50) | $32.07 | $256.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.55 | $308.44 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42.25 | $338.02 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Dayton
Based on $32.07/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.07/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Dayton, OH can expect to earn approximately $66,710 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $38,487. With a cost-of-living index of 92.69 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Dayton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Dayton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,282.89 | $5,559 | $66,710 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $769.74 | $3,336 | $40,026 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $513.16 | $2,224 | $26,684 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Dayton) | $32.07 |
| 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 Dayton, OH earn a median of $66,703 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.05% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 2.00% above the Ohio state average of $65,395.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.07/hr = $40,026/year (purchasing power: $43,181).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $66,710/year (purchasing power: $71,968).
CoL index: 92.694 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$31.90/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.22/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.07/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+3.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Dayton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31.90/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $32.87/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.94/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.36/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $31.05/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.23/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.22/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.07/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.95/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Dayton grew -2.1% from $31.90/hr (2019) to $31.22/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.95/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 Dayton 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 Dayton
Part-time physical therapist assistants in Dayton working three days a week, or about 24 hours, can expect to take home approximately $39,883 annually. This is a solid income for those balancing other commitments, yet, it remains lower than what full-time counterparts earn. On the other hand, per diem physical therapist assistant pay in Dayton typically ranges from $32 to $48 per hour, creating a strong financial incentive for those who prefer flexibility. Travel PTA contracts can yield even higher earnings, averaging between $1,200 and $1,800 weekly. However, the recent 15% Medicare cut has affected pay in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), often leading to lower hourly compensation. Compensation rates can vary significantly depending on the employer type; outpatient clinics may offer different pay structures compared to hospital inpatient rehab or pediatric therapy programs. Many PTAs face the decision to choose between higher hourly rates with potentially less job stability and positions that offer comprehensive benefits packages but lower pay. Effective negotiation around hourly rates in Dayton, especially emphasizing skills and experience, can lead to better compensation for physical therapist assistants in this evolving job market.
More salary data for Dayton, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Dayton in 2026?
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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 Dayton. 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, 7-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