Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Bend, OR: $30.87 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Bend, OR runs $30.87 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $64,196 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Bend's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.6, 4% above national), each hour of work buys what $29.80 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,526 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, physical therapist assistants in Bend, Oregon, are projected to earn a median hourly pay of $30.87, which reflects a slight deviation from the national hourly median of $33.77. This hourly rate can be particularly beneficial for part-time workers who typically engage in schedules like three days a week; for example, a PTA working 24 hours weekly may find satisfactory earnings while enjoying a more flexible work-life balance. The hourly range for PTAs in Bend spans from $30.10 for entry-level positions to up to $41.53 for experienced professionals in high-demand settings such as outpatient clinics and skilled nursing facilities. These figures come from official projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, illuminating the competitive pay landscape for those in this essential healthcare role.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30.10 | $240.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.44 | $243.51 |
| Median (P50) | $30.87 | $246.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.07 | $312.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.53 | $332.27 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bend
Based on $30.87/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.87/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bend, OR can expect to earn approximately $64,210 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,044. With a cost-of-living index of 103.61 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Bend.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bend
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,234.81 | $5,351 | $64,210 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $740.89 | $3,211 | $38,526 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $493.93 | $2,140 | $25,684 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Bend) | $30.87 |
| 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 Bend, OR earn a median of $64,196 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.61% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 6.90% below the Oregon state average of $68,954.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.87/hr = $38,526/year (purchasing power: $37,185).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $64,210/year (purchasing power: $61,975).
CoL index: 103.607 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$25.84/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.05/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.87/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Bend (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.84/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.27/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.02/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.94/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.70/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.97/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.05/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.87/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.71/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Bend grew 16.3% from $25.84/hr (2019) to $30.05/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.71/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 Bend 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 Bend
For part-time physical therapist assistants working 24 hours a week, the annual take-home pay can vary widely compared to their full-time counterparts. While the per diem physical therapist assistant pay in Bend typically ranges from $32 to $48 per hour, the ongoing impacts of Medicare cuts since 2022 have caused a strain on pay rates, particularly in skilled nursing facilities where agency positions may now face lower premiums. The location type also impacts pay significantly; outpatient orthopedic clinics tend to offer better hourly rates than settings like home health or school therapy programs. PTAs must weigh the benefits of steady work with health insurance against the higher pay of per diem positions which provide greater flexibility but often lack benefits. When negotiating hourly rates in Bend, it's advisable for PTAs to understand their market worth and the demand for their skills, leveraging their experience to secure the best possible compensation.
More salary data for Bend, OR:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Bend in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Bend?
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How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Bend?
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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 Bend. 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, 5-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