Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Charlottesville, VA: $36.55 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Charlottesville, VA runs $36.55 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $76,030 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Charlottesville's regional price level (BEA RPP 99.1, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $36.87 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $45,616 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Charlottesville, Virginia, physical therapist assistants can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $36.55, which notably exceeds the national hourly median of $33.77. This competitive pay is favorable for those seeking part-time roles, such as working three days a week, as well as for per-diem physical therapist assistants who may find work across various settings. In outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and home health visits, PTAs earn based on their experience and location, translating to an hourly pay range from $27.38 for entry-level positions to $42.34 for more seasoned professionals. This data is anchored by official projections from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), emphasizing the growing demand for qualified PTAs in the local job market.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $27.38 | $219.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.77 | $246.14 |
| Median (P50) | $36.55 | $292.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $41.05 | $328.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42.34 | $338.68 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Charlottesville
Based on $36.55/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $36.55/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Charlottesville, VA can expect to earn approximately $76,027 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $43,862. With a cost-of-living index of 99.15 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Charlottesville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Charlottesville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,462.05 | $6,336 | $76,027 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $877.23 | $3,801 | $45,616 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $584.82 | $2,534 | $30,411 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Charlottesville) | $36.55 |
| 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 Charlottesville, VA earn a median of $76,030 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.23% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 0.60% above the Virginia state average of $75,577.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $36.55/hr = $45,616/year (purchasing power: $46,009).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $76,027/year (purchasing power: $76,682).
CoL index: 99.146 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$30.86/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$35.58/hr
2026 Current Est.
$36.55/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+21.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Charlottesville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30.86/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.65/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.86/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.20/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.00/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $35.62/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $35.58/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36.55/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $37.55/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Charlottesville grew 15.3% from $30.86/hr (2019) to $35.58/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $37.55/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 Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville
Examining the financial picture for part-time physical therapist assistants in Charlottesville, someone working a consistent three-day week, approximately 24 hours, will bring home about $45,815 annually, significantly lower than those who work full-time. The per diem physical therapist assistant pay in Charlottesville typically ranges from $32 to $48 per hour, making these positions enticing for flexibility, albeit with a less stable income. It’s important for PTAs to recognize that hourly rates can fluctuate depending on the type of employer, including outpatient orthopedic clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and home health agencies. Some may choose positions that offer lower hourly wages but come with health insurance benefits, while others may prioritize higher pay without such benefits. For those negotiating their hourly rate, understanding the nuances of hiring trends and compensation packages in the local market can be advantageous, especially given the impact of the 15% Medicare cut on PTA salaries in facility-based settings.
More salary data for Charlottesville, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Charlottesville in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Charlottesville?
Are physical therapist assistants in Charlottesville paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Charlottesville?
Do physical therapist assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Charlottesville?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Virginia
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 Charlottesville. 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