Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Odessa, TX: $34.80 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Odessa, TX runs $34.80 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $72,394 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Odessa's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.9, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $37.07 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $43,437 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Odessa, Texas, the projected physical therapist assistant hourly pay for 2026 is set at $34.80, which slightly exceeds the national hourly median of $33.77. This hourly rate allows for a versatile earning potential, particularly for professionals working part-time or on a per-diem basis. For instance, those employed three days a week, typically clocking around 24 hours, can expect to earn roughly $38,880 annually, allowing flexibility while still generating a respectable income. Entry-level physical therapist assistants in Odessa may start at approximately $18.75 per hour, while top earners can reach as high as $44.13 per hour. Such rates reflect the official estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, pinpointing the growth in this essential healthcare profession in a city with a relatively low cost of living.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.75 | $149.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.87 | $230.94 |
| Median (P50) | $34.80 | $278.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $41.62 | $332.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44.13 | $353.06 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Odessa
Based on $34.80/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $34.80/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Odessa, TX can expect to earn approximately $72,394 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $41,766. With a cost-of-living index of 93.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Odessa.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Odessa
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,392.20 | $6,033 | $72,394 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $835.32 | $3,620 | $43,437 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $556.88 | $2,413 | $28,958 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Odessa) | $34.80 |
| 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 Odessa, TX earn a median of $72,394 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.06% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 7.00% below the Texas state average of $77,843.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $34.80/hr = $43,437/year (purchasing power: $46,260).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $72,394/year (purchasing power: $77,100).
CoL index: 93.896 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$33.11/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$33.88/hr
2026 Current Est.
$34.80/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+8.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Odessa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33.11/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $33.93/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.83/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $32.03/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $36.25/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.58/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $33.88/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $34.80/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $35.76/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Odessa grew 2.3% from $33.11/hr (2019) to $33.88/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $35.76/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 Odessa 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 Odessa
When considering part-time work versus full-time commitments, physical therapist assistants in Odessa can manage active, flexible careers tailored to their lifestyles. For example, a per diem physical therapist assistant can expect to earn between $32 and $48 per hour; while travel contracts can net between $1,200 and $1,800 weekly. However, the ongoing 15% Medicare reimbursement cut since 2022 has notably impacted hourly rates in Medicare-reliant settings, such as skilled nursing facilities, often pushing agencies to provide less lucrative offers. Earning potential also varies significantly across different employer types in the area, such as outpatient clinics, pediatric therapy spaces, and home health agencies. It’s crucial for physical therapist assistants in Odessa to evaluate not just the hourly figure but also benefits, as some may prefer lower hourly wages in exchange for health insurance. Negotiating effectively is essential; understand the going rates and be prepared to advocate for employment conditions that meet both financial and professional needs in this evolving field.
More salary data for Odessa, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Odessa in 2026?
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Are physical therapist assistants in Odessa paid hourly or salary?
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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 Odessa. 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