Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Salt Lake City, UT: $32.10 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Salt Lake City, UT runs $32.10 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $66,764 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Salt Lake City's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.9, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $31.83 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $40,065 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Salt Lake City, the physical therapist assistant hourly pay is projected to reach $32.10 in 2026, slightly below the national median of $33.77. This hourly rate can provide ample opportunities for part-time physical therapist assistants working three days a week. With typical settings including outpatient clinic gyms, skilled nursing facilities, and home health visits, the variability allows for both structured hours and flexibility in scheduling. Entry-level positions may start around $19.70, while experienced professionals can earn up to $40.46 per hour. These figures come from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, giving a clear picture of what one can expect when entering this rewarding field in Utah.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.70 | $157.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.45 | $243.59 |
| Median (P50) | $32.10 | $256.83 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.08 | $296.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.46 | $323.64 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Salt Lake City
Based on $32.10/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.10/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Salt Lake City, UT can expect to earn approximately $66,775 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $38,524. With a cost-of-living index of 100.87 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Salt Lake City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Salt Lake City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,284.13 | $5,565 | $66,775 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $770.48 | $3,339 | $40,065 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $513.65 | $2,226 | $26,710 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Salt Lake City) | $32.10 |
| 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 Salt Lake City, UT earn a median of $66,764 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.96% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 6.00% above the Utah state average of $62,985.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.10/hr = $40,065/year (purchasing power: $39,720).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $66,775/year (purchasing power: $66,200).
CoL index: 100.868 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$28.44/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.25/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.10/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+16.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Salt Lake City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.44/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.32/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.75/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.59/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.40/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.47/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.25/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.10/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.98/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Salt Lake City grew 9.9% from $28.44/hr (2019) to $31.25/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.98/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 Salt Lake City 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 Salt Lake City
For those considering part-time work in Salt Lake City, a physical therapist assistant who works 24 hours weekly can expect to take home about $40,075 annually. In comparison, full-time roles yield more stable incomes but require a commitment to a greater number of hours. Per diem physical therapist assistants often bill between $32 and $48 per hour and sometimes engage in travel contracts, which can earn between $1,200 and $1,800 a week. However, those working in skilled nursing facilities may find their pay fluctuated after the 15% Medicare cut in 2022. Hourly rates can differ considerably based on the employer type; for instance, outpatient orthopedic clinics may offer higher rates compared to pediatric clinics or home health agencies. It's essential for physical therapist assistants to weigh the benefits of higher hourly pay against the potential for health insurance and other benefits that might come with lower rates. Negotiating hourly pay in Salt Lake City requires an understanding of these dynamics and an awareness of what various employers can offer.
More salary data for Salt Lake City, UT:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Salt Lake City in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Salt Lake City?
Are physical therapist assistants in Salt Lake City paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Salt Lake City?
Do physical therapist assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Salt Lake City?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Utah
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 Salt Lake City. 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