Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Ponce, PR: $14.00 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Ponce, PR runs $14.00 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $29,124 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Puerto Rico's regional price level (BEA RPP 75.0, 25% below national), each hour of work buys what $18.67 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $17,475 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Ponce, Puerto Rico, the projected median hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant is $14.00, significantly lower than the national median of $33.77. This pay structure means that part-time physical therapist assistants, often working in outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and home health settings, will earn about $672 weekly working three days a week. For per-diem workers, the hourly rates can vary widely, providing opportunities to supplement income by taking on flexible shifts in various settings, including pediatric therapy spaces and hospital rehab units. The hourly wage range in Ponce spans from $11.75 at the bottom 10% of earners to $31.91 for the highest 90%, reflecting the diverse roles and experiences present within this profession. 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) | $11.75 | $94.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $14.00 | $112.02 |
| Median (P50) | $14.00 | $112.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $16.84 | $134.70 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $31.91 | $255.26 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Ponce
Based on $14.00/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $14.00/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Ponce, PR can expect to earn approximately $29,124 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $16,803.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Ponce
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $560.08 | $2,427 | $29,124 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $336.05 | $1,456 | $17,475 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $224.03 | $971 | $11,650 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Ponce) | $14.00 |
| 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 Ponce, PR earn a median of $29,124 per year (2026 est.), which is 58.54% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 44.70% below the Puerto Rico state average of $52,665.
2019 BLS Actual
$10.25/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$13.63/hr
2026 Current Est.
$14.00/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+40.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Ponce (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $10.25/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $10.68/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $11.10/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $12.36/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $12.68/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $13.24/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $13.63/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $14.00/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $14.38/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Ponce grew 33.0% from $10.25/hr (2019) to $13.63/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $14.38/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 Ponce 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 Ponce
Examining the financial landscape for physical therapist assistants reveals intriguing earning potential, particularly for part-time workers. A physical therapist assistant working 24 hours a week with a $14.00 hourly rate could anticipate a take-home annual income of approximately $19,104, a significant difference when stacked against full-time earnings. Per diem physical therapist assistant pay in Ponce can run anywhere from $32 to $48 an hour, allowing for increased flexibility but often lacking benefits. Financially, this can be a double-edged sword; many PTAs may opt for lower hourly rates if a job includes healthcare benefits or retirement plans, which can outweigh the higher pay of per diem roles. The rate of pay also varies by employer type, with outpatient orthopedic clinics generally providing better compensation than skilled nursing facilities, especially in light of the 15% Medicare cut effective in 2022 that has impacted PTA roles in Medicare-dependent environments. Negotiation strategies are essential in securing fair pay, particularly in a market where the rates are dictated by many facets, including location and facility type.
More salary data for Ponce, PR:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Ponce. 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