Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Central Falls, RI: $31.31 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Central Falls, RI runs $31.31 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $65,138 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Central Falls's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.5, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $31.16 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,078 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Central Falls, Rhode Island, physical therapist assistants earn a projected median hourly rate of $31.31 in 2026, slightly lower than the national median of $33.77. This hourly rate allows for flexibility in work arrangements, making it feasible for part-time professionals or per-diem workers to fit their schedules into various healthcare environments. Such settings may include outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and home health visits, where hourly wages can range from $23.73 for entry-level positions to $38.24 for top earners. These numbers reflect estimated hourly rates directly derived from annual salary data, demonstrating the varying pay scales across different work environments for those in this essential healthcare role.
About the Central Falls Market
Salary estimated from Rhode Island average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.73 | $189.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.35 | $226.83 |
| Median (P50) | $31.31 | $250.50 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.89 | $279.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.24 | $305.89 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Central Falls
Based on $31.31/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.31/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Central Falls, RI can expect to earn approximately $65,129 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,575. With a cost-of-living index of 100.50 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Central Falls.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Central Falls
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,252.48 | $5,427 | $65,129 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $751.49 | $3,256 | $39,078 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $500.99 | $2,171 | $26,052 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Central Falls) | $31.31 |
| 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 Central Falls, RI earn a median of $65,138 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.27% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 7.70% below the Rhode Island state average of $70,572.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.31/hr = $39,078/year (purchasing power: $38,883).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $65,129/year (purchasing power: $64,805).
CoL index: 100.5 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$26.21/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.48/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.31/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Central Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.21/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.64/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.27/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.98/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.56/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.31/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.48/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.31/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.17/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Central Falls grew 16.3% from $26.21/hr (2019) to $30.48/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.17/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 Central Falls 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 Central Falls
When considering part-time schedules, a physical therapist assistant working three days a week for 24 hours would take home approximately $49,905 annually compared to a full-time salary. Per diem physical therapist assistants in Central Falls typically charge between $32 and $48 per hour, while travel contracts might pull in $1,200 to $1,800 weekly. The reimbursement cuts initiated in 2022 effectively reduced pay for PTAs in skilled nursing facilities, pushing some assistants toward alternative employment settings where pay might vary widely. Employers such as orthopedic clinics generally offer more stable hour rates, while agencies might favor flexibility in exchange for potential pay spikes. Negotiation is key in this profession, as candidates should weigh the benefits of health insurance options against higher hourly wages without benefits, particularly in the face of rising living costs in Central Falls, RI.
More salary data for Central Falls, RI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Central Falls in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Central Falls?
Are physical therapist assistants in Central Falls paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Central Falls?
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Related Pages
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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 Central Falls. 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 Central Falls 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