Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in San Diego, CA: $40.58 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in San Diego, CA runs $40.58 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $84,403 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against San Diego's regional price level (BEA RPP 111.9, 12% above national), each hour of work buys what $36.27 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $50,642 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In San Diego, California, the anticipated physical therapist assistant hourly pay for 2026 is projected at $40.58, significantly surpassing the national median of $33.77. This competitive hourly rate highlights the strong demand for physical therapist assistants in various settings such as outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, and pediatric therapy spaces. For part-time workers averaging three days a week, this pay equates to a substantial income, allowing for flexibility in managing work-life balance. The hourly rate ranges from $20.77 for entry-level positions to $49.92 for those at the top of the pay scale, reflecting various levels of experience and specialization in the field. These figures are backed by official Bureau of Labor Statistics data, affirming the potential for a rewarding career in physical therapy within the San Diego area.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.77 | $166.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32.45 | $259.62 |
| Median (P50) | $40.58 | $324.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46.12 | $368.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $49.92 | $399.33 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in San Diego
Based on $40.58/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $40.58/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in San Diego, CA can expect to earn approximately $84,403 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $48,694. With a cost-of-living index of 111.89 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in San Diego.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in San Diego
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,623.13 | $7,034 | $84,403 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $973.88 | $4,220 | $50,642 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $649.25 | $2,813 | $33,761 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (San Diego) | $40.58 |
| 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 San Diego, CA earn a median of $84,403 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.15% higher than the national median of $70,247.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $40.58/hr = $50,642/year (purchasing power: $45,262).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $84,403/year (purchasing power: $75,436).
CoL index: 111.887 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$28.81/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$39.50/hr
2026 Current Est.
$40.58/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+44.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in San Diego (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.81/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $34.67/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.98/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $39.48/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $40.24/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $39.27/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $39.50/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40.58/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41.69/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in San Diego grew 37.1% from $28.81/hr (2019) to $39.50/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $41.69/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 San Diego 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 San Diego
In considering full-time versus part-time roles, a physical therapist assistant working 24 hours a week can expect to take home approximately $47,000 annually, a notable amount that balances the lower work commitment. For those pursuing a per diem physical therapist assistant pay model, rates typically range from $32 to $48 per hour, depending on the nature of the work and the employer. Travel PTA contracts can yield between $1,200 and $1,800 per week, however, this premium pay structure has been affected by recent Medicare cuts, which may impact staffing levels and budget allocations in skilled nursing facilities. Different employment types also have an effect on hourly pay; outpatient orthopedic clinics may offer competitive salaries that align with the entry-level to expert ranges, while skilled nursing facilities often have lower compensation due to economic constraints. It’s crucial for physical therapist assistants to negotiate benefits against hourly wages, considering health insurance packages often accompany lower hourly rates, while higher hourly options may lack such perks. In a city like San Diego, understanding these dynamics allows aspiring PTAs to make informed career decisions.
More salary data for San Diego, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in San Diego in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in San Diego?
Are physical therapist assistants in San Diego paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in San Diego?
Do physical therapist assistants earn more per hour working part-time in San Diego?
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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 San Diego. 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