Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Port Arthur, TX: $39.33 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Port Arthur, TX runs $39.33 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $81,787 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Port Arthur's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.0, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $40.96 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $49,078 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Port Arthur, physical therapist assistants earn a median hourly rate of $39.33, significantly higher than the national hourly median of $33.77. This premium in pay can be especially influential for part-time workers or those in per-diem roles, allowing them to earn decent wages while working in various settings, including outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, or in-home therapy. Entry-level positions start at about $27.47 per hour, while experienced practitioners can reach salaries of up to $50.39 per hour. These hourly rates are estimated from annual salary data and reflect the demand for skilled workers in Texas's healthcare landscape.
About the Port Arthur Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $27.47 | $219.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $34.12 | $272.93 |
| Median (P50) | $39.33 | $314.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $44.77 | $358.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50.39 | $403.11 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Port Arthur
Based on $39.33/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $39.33/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Port Arthur, TX can expect to earn approximately $81,796 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $47,190. With a cost-of-living index of 96.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Port Arthur.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Port Arthur
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,573.00 | $6,816 | $81,796 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $943.80 | $4,090 | $49,078 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $629.20 | $2,727 | $32,718 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Port Arthur) | $39.33 |
| 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 Port Arthur, TX earn a median of $81,787 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.43% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 5.00% above the Texas state average of $77,893.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $39.33/hr = $49,078/year (purchasing power: $51,123).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $81,796/year (purchasing power: $85,204).
CoL index: 96 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$32.91/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$38.28/hr
2026 Current Est.
$39.33/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Port Arthur (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32.91/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $33.46/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $34.25/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $35.14/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $35.87/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $33.65/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $38.28/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39.33/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40.40/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Port Arthur grew 16.3% from $32.91/hr (2019) to $38.28/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $40.40/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 Port Arthur 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 Port Arthur
Considering part-time earnings, a physical therapist assistant working three days a week (approximately 24 hours) will realize an annual income significantly lower than their full-time counterparts, though still competitive. In the realm of per diem physical therapist assistant pay in Port Arthur, rates can range from $32 to $48 per hour, with travel PTA contracts often generating weekly earnings between $1,200 and $1,800. Different employer types, such as outpatient orthopedic clinics versus skilled nursing rehabilitation facilities, typically offer varied pay scales. This variability is a key factor in job selection; some PTAs might choose to accept lower hourly rates for the stability and benefits of full-time positions, while others opt for higher hourly wages in per-diem roles, balancing their desire for flexibility against the lack of benefits. In Port Arthur, it’s advisable for PTAs to prepare effectively for negotiations around hourly pay, considering the rapid growth rate anticipated at 2.73% annually and increasing demand across the profession.
More salary data for Port Arthur, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Port Arthur in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Port Arthur?
Are physical therapist assistants in Port Arthur paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Port Arthur?
Do physical therapist assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Port Arthur?
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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 Port Arthur. 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 Port Arthur 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