Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Ponce, PR: $29,124 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Ponce, PR earns a median $29,124/year (≈ $14.00/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Puerto Rico's price level (25% below national, BEA RPP 75.0), that paycheck buys what $38,832 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 44.7% below the Puerto Rico state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the projected physical therapist assistant salary in Ponce, Puerto Rico, is set at $29,124, significantly lower than the national median of $70,247. This figure falls within a salary range that spans from $24,439 at the 10th percentile to $66,374 at the 90th percentile. The data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, highlights the disparity between local earnings and those in other regions, driven largely by the diverse settings where physical therapist assistants are employed. In Ponce, effective compensation is closely tied to productivity expectations, with the number of patient visits per day often defining earning potential. As a result, the job market for physical therapist assistants here is impacted by factors such as the volume of patients seen and the type of healthcare facilities employing them.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24,439 | $11.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29,124 | $14.00 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $29,124 | $14.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35,021 | $16.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $66,374 | $31.91 |
Median Salary Position
58.54% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ponce
In Ponce, PR, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $41,935 (2026 est.). At $29,124, the local median is 58.54% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Ponce: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Ponce Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Ponce median: $29,124/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ponce Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Puerto Rico Average | $52,665 | -44.70% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -58.54% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Ponce, PR earn a median of $29,124 per year (2026 est.), which is 58.54% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 44.70% below the Puerto Rico state average of $52,665.
2019 BLS Actual
$21,330
2025 BLS Actual
$28,350
2026 Current Est.
$29,124
2019–2027 Growth
+40.3%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Ponce (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21,330 | Actual |
| 2020 | $22,210 | Actual |
| 2021 | $23,080 | Actual |
| 2022 | $25,700 | Actual |
| 2023 | $26,370 | Actual |
| 2024 | $27,550 | Actual |
| 2025 | $28,350 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29,124 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29,919 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ponce metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 32.9% from $21,330 (2019) to $28,350 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $29,919 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,589 (40.27%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ponce 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $24,439 – $29,124 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $29,124 – $29,124 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $29,124 – $35,021 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $35,021 – $66,374 |
PTA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Assistant Job Market in Ponce
The local job market in Ponce comprises approximately 80 physical therapist assistants, which suggests a stable demand for these professionals. Living costs in Puerto Rico are generally lower than in many mainland areas, but the earnings still reflect broader economic challenges. Among the highest-paying employers in Ponce are outpatient orthopedic clinics and skilled nursing facilities, which may offer different salary tiers based on modality and patient demographics. However, the pay scale varies dramatically; hospitals typically compensate more than outpatient settings, reflecting the increased expectations for patient throughput and various supervision requirements governed by state and federal regulations. Additionally, the imposition of a 15% Medicare cut on PTA services has intensified competition within the industry, further affecting local pay. For those seeking to maximize their earnings in Ponce, focusing on employment within specialized clinics and maintaining flexible availability for weekend or PRN shifts are effective strategies.
More salary data for Ponce, PR:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $28,350 for physical therapist assistantsin the Ponce metropolitan area. A 2.73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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