Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Carlsbad, CA: $40.24 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Carlsbad, CA runs $40.24 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $83,697 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Carlsbad's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $35.58 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $50,219 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Carlsbad, California, physical therapist assistants earn a median hourly pay of $40.24, significantly higher than the national median of $33.77 per hour, which translates to a 19.15% increase for local workers. This competitive hourly rate allows many physical therapist assistants to thrive, particularly in settings such as outpatient clinic gyms, skilled nursing facilities, home health visits, hospital inpatient rehab units, and pediatric therapy spaces. The hourly range for this profession in Carlsbad varies from $28.58 at entry-level positions to $54.14 for top earners, providing opportunities for career progression and specialization. These figures are derived from projected data based on 2025 BLS estimates, indicating promising earning potential for both full-time and part-time, as well as per-diem workers.
About the Carlsbad Market
Salary estimated from California average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $28.58 | $228.64 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $34.59 | $276.71 |
| Median (P50) | $40.24 | $321.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47.18 | $377.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $54.14 | $433.11 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Carlsbad
Based on $40.24/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $40.24/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Carlsbad, CA can expect to earn approximately $83,698 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $48,287. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Carlsbad.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Carlsbad
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,609.57 | $6,975 | $83,698 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $965.74 | $4,185 | $50,219 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $643.83 | $2,790 | $33,479 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Carlsbad) | $40.24 |
| 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 Carlsbad, CA earn a median of $83,697 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.15% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 0.80% below the California state average of $84,372.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $40.24/hr = $50,219/year (purchasing power: $44,402).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $83,698/year (purchasing power: $74,003).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$33.68/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$39.17/hr
2026 Current Est.
$40.24/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Carlsbad (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33.68/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $34.24/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $35.05/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $35.96/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $36.71/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $42.48/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $39.17/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40.24/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41.34/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Carlsbad grew 16.3% from $33.68/hr (2019) to $39.17/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $41.34/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 Carlsbad 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 Carlsbad
Evaluating the part-time earning potential reveals that a physical therapist assistant working three days a week at 24 hours would take home an estimated $50,590 annually, compared to a full-time counterpart who might earn around $83,697 in the same period. Per diem physical therapist assistant pay in Carlsbad typically ranges from $32 to $48 per hour, although travel PTA contracts can draw weekly earnings between $1,200 and $1,800. However, the introduction of the 2022 Medicare cut, which reduced reimbursements for PTA services, has pressured hourly rates especially in skilled nursing facilities. Different employer types—such as outpatient orthopedic clinics, skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, hospitals, and pediatric clinics—offer varying hourly rates, often reflecting the trade-offs between pay and benefits. PTAs must consider whether to accept lower hourly wages for benefits like health insurance or seek higher pay without the safety net of employer-sponsored coverage. Negotiating these hourly rates effectively in Carlsbad requires understanding local market rates and leveraging experience, especially as PTAs look to navigate their career paths, including potential transitions to DPT programs.
More salary data for Carlsbad, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Carlsbad in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Carlsbad?
Are physical therapist assistants in Carlsbad paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Carlsbad?
Do physical therapist assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Carlsbad?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in California
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 Carlsbad. 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 Carlsbad 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