Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Blacksburg, VA: $36.06 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Blacksburg, VA runs $36.06 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $74,993 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Blacksburg's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.7, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $38.89 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $45,001 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Blacksburg, Virginia, the physical therapist assistant hourly pay is projected to reach $36.06 by 2026, which is notably higher than the national hourly median of $33.77. This competitive rate is reflective of the local demand for PTAs in various settings, including outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, home health, hospitals, and pediatric therapy environments. With hourly wages ranging from $25.76 to $50.01, entry-level professionals can find lucrative opportunities while experienced PTAs command higher rates. Additionally, this official BLS data indicates a favorable environment for part-time and per-diem work, allowing those in the profession to tailor their schedules while benefiting from industry standards.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.76 | $206.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.83 | $238.66 |
| Median (P50) | $36.06 | $288.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.46 | $307.70 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50.01 | $400.07 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Blacksburg
Based on $36.06/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $36.06/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Blacksburg, VA can expect to earn approximately $75,001 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $43,270. With a cost-of-living index of 92.71 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Blacksburg.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Blacksburg
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,442.33 | $6,250 | $75,001 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $865.40 | $3,750 | $45,001 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $576.93 | $2,500 | $30,000 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Blacksburg) | $36.06 |
| 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 Blacksburg, VA earn a median of $74,993 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.76% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 0.80% below the Virginia state average of $75,598.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $36.06/hr = $45,001/year (purchasing power: $48,539).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $75,001/year (purchasing power: $80,899).
CoL index: 92.71 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$28.92/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$35.10/hr
2026 Current Est.
$36.06/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Blacksburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.92/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.68/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.31/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.19/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $32.79/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $34.14/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $35.10/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36.06/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $37.04/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Blacksburg grew 21.4% from $28.92/hr (2019) to $35.10/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $37.04/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 Blacksburg 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 Blacksburg
When considering the part-time potential in Blacksburg, a physical therapist assistant working three days a week, or 24 hours, can still enjoy a substantial income. In contrast to full-time counterparts, part-time PTAs may earn less annually, although their work-life balance remains appealing. For those pursuing per diem roles, hourly pay for PTA positions typically falls between $32 and $48, with travel PTA contracts offering weekly earnings that can range from $1,200 to $1,800. However, many PTAs grapple with a trade-off between lower hourly rates that include health benefits and the higher pay of agency roles with reduced support. Hourly rates can vary significantly depending on the employer type, with outpatient clinics often offering competitive compensation compared to settings like skilled nursing facilities, which have felt the effects of the 2022 Medicare cuts. Therefore, PTAs in Blacksburg should actively negotiate their pay, considering both hourly rates and the advantages of health benefits, reflecting on their unique career paths, including PTA-to-DPT bridge options through accredited programs.
More salary data for Blacksburg, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Blacksburg in 2026?
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How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Blacksburg?
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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 Blacksburg. 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