Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Amarillo, TX: $35.93 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Amarillo, TX runs $35.93 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $74,736 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Amarillo's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.8, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $39.14 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $44,847 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Amarillo, Texas, physical therapist assistants can expect a median hourly pay of $35.93, surpassing the national median of $33.77. This competitive rate makes the profession appealing to various employment structures, including part-time positions often filled by individuals working three days a week or those engaging in per-diem work. In settings such as outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and home health agencies, PTAs can find meaningful opportunities. The hourly pay scale ranges from $23.98 for entry-level positions to as much as $45.43 for experienced practitioners. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, this compensation structure highlights the growth potential and demand for skilled assistants in the field.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.98 | $191.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.74 | $237.92 |
| Median (P50) | $35.93 | $287.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.43 | $315.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $45.43 | $363.42 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Amarillo
Based on $35.93/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $35.93/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Amarillo, TX can expect to earn approximately $74,745 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $43,122. With a cost-of-living index of 91.82 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Amarillo.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Amarillo
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,437.40 | $6,229 | $74,745 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $862.44 | $3,737 | $44,847 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $574.96 | $2,491 | $29,898 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Amarillo) | $35.93 |
| 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 Amarillo, TX earn a median of $74,736 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.39% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 4.00% below the Texas state average of $77,850.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $35.93/hr = $44,847/year (purchasing power: $48,842).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $74,745/year (purchasing power: $81,404).
CoL index: 91.82 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$31.03/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$34.98/hr
2026 Current Est.
$35.93/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+19.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Amarillo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31.03/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $29.96/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.05/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $33.34/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $34.38/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $34.85/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $34.98/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35.93/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36.92/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Amarillo grew 12.7% from $31.03/hr (2019) to $34.98/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $36.92/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 Amarillo 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 Amarillo
Assessing the financial outlook for part-time physical therapist assistants reveals interesting contrasts compared to full-time roles. Working a typical 24-hour week, a part-time PTA could take home approximately $44,721 annually, a figure that remains enticing given Amarillo's cost of living index of 91.82, which is below the national average. Per diem physical therapist assistant pay in Amarillo typically ranges from $32 to $48 per hour, while travel contracts can offer $1,200 to $1,800 per week. However, the recent 15% Medicare cut effective in 2022 has contributed to a decline in premium rates, particularly in skilled nursing facilities. Hourly rates vary considerably among employer types; those in outpatient orthopedic clinics may earn more than their counterparts in schools or home health agencies. For PTAs considering job offers, balancing hourly wages against benefits such as health insurance is crucial. Negotiation tactics should emphasize local market rates and the compensation packages provided by different employers in Amarillo, ensuring that prospective PTAs can maximize their earnings.
More salary data for Amarillo, TX:
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 Amarillo. 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