Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Watertown, SD: $30.14 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Watertown, SD runs $30.14 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $62,683 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 92.8, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.48 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,616 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Watertown, South Dakota, the physical therapist assistant hourly pay stands at $30.14, which is notably lower than the national average of $33.77 per hour. This hourly rate can be quite attractive for part-time and per-diem workers who operate in various settings such as outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and home health environments. Given the intended schedule of many physical therapist assistants, someone working three days a week could see a consistent paycheck while also being flexible. Entry-level PTAs may earn approximately $22.40 per hour, while more experienced professionals can reach up to $37.34. The hourly estimates stem from annual salary data, which reflects a consistent market for PTAs in the Watertown area.
About the Watertown Market
Salary estimated from South Dakota average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.40 | $179.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.97 | $215.73 |
| Median (P50) | $30.14 | $241.13 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.91 | $271.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.34 | $298.74 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Watertown
Based on $30.14/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.14/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Watertown, SD can expect to earn approximately $62,693 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,169. With a cost-of-living index of 92.80 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Watertown.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Watertown
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,205.64 | $5,224 | $62,693 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $723.38 | $3,135 | $37,616 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $482.26 | $2,090 | $25,077 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Watertown) | $30.14 |
| 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, SD earn a median of $62,683 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.77% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 3.80% below the South Dakota state average of $65,159.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.14/hr = $37,616/year (purchasing power: $40,534).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $62,693/year (purchasing power: $67,557).
CoL index: 92.8 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.23/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.34/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.14/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
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 | $25.23/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.65/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.25/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.93/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.49/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.74/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.34/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.14/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.96/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Watertown grew 16.3% from $25.23/hr (2019) to $29.34/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.96/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
Among those who opt for part-time positions, a typical physical therapist assistant working 24 hours a week could realistically expect to take home around $37,087 annually, compared to full-time workers who might earn over $62,000 each year. Per diem physical therapist assistant pay in Watertown typically ranges between $32 and $48 per hour, making it a lucrative arrangement for those willing to offer flexibility. Additionally, travel contracts often pay between $1,200 and $1,800 weekly, though potential reductions in pay due to Medicare cuts in skilled nursing facilities can impact earnings levels. Hourly rates also depend on the employer type, with outpatient orthopedic clinics often offering competitive wages compared to pediatric clinics or school therapy settings. A trade-off exists here; some physical therapist assistants might accept lower hourly rates for the stability of health benefits, while others may prefer higher pay without benefits. When negotiating, clarity on the roles and responsibilities tied to the hourly rate can help candidates advocate effectively for themselves in the Watertown job market.
More salary data for Watertown, SD:
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?
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 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