Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Federal Way, WA: $32.70 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Federal Way, WA runs $32.70 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $68,014 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Federal Way's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.4, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $30.45 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $40,808 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Federal Way, Washington, physical therapist assistants earn a median hourly rate of $32.70, slightly below the national median of $33.77. This rate is valuable not only for full-time employees but also for part-time and per-diem workers who often take advantage of flexible schedules in various clinical settings such as outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and home health environments. Entry-level PTAs can expect to earn around $22.82 per hour, while experienced practitioners may reach as much as $43.29 per hour, illustrating a significant range in compensation. These hourly rates are based on annual salary projections, reflecting the reliable and stable earnings potential in the physical therapy field.
About the Federal Way Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.82 | $182.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.40 | $227.24 |
| Median (P50) | $32.70 | $261.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.93 | $303.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $43.29 | $346.32 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Federal Way
Based on $32.70/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.70/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Federal Way, WA can expect to earn approximately $68,014 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $39,239. With a cost-of-living index of 107.40 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Federal Way.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Federal Way
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,307.96 | $5,668 | $68,014 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $784.78 | $3,401 | $40,808 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $523.18 | $2,267 | $27,206 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Federal Way) | $32.70 |
| 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 Federal Way, WA earn a median of $68,014 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.18% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 0.90% below the Washington state average of $68,632.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.70/hr = $40,808/year (purchasing power: $37,997).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $68,014/year (purchasing power: $63,328).
CoL index: 107.4 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$27.37/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.83/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.70/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Federal Way (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.37/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.82/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.48/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.22/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.83/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $36.84/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.83/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.70/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.59/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Federal Way grew 16.3% from $27.37/hr (2019) to $31.83/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.59/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 Federal Way 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 Federal Way
Considering working part-time, a physical therapist assistant in Federal Way averaging 24 hours a week could anticipate an annual take-home close to $40,000, compared to the full-time paycheck that significantly increases that figure. Per diem positions offer varied compensation, with rates spanning $32 to $48 per hour, particularly advantageous for those preferring flexibility. Travel PTA contracts may yield substantial weekly earnings between $1,200 and $1,800, although recent Medicare cuts have pressured pay in skilled nursing facilities. Hourly rates tend to vary depending on employment settings; for instance, outpatient orthopedic facilities may compensate higher than educational or pediatric clinics. PTAs often face a tough choice between lower hourly rates with benefits or higher pay without. Negotiating for fair wages and considering the overall compensation package, including health insurance and retirement benefits, can ensure better financial stability for physical therapist assistants in Federal Way.
More salary data for Federal Way, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Federal Way in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Federal Way?
Are physical therapist assistants in Federal Way paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Federal Way?
Do physical therapist assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Federal Way?
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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 Federal Way. 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 Federal Way 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