Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Vista, CA: $41.62 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Vista, CA runs $41.62 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $86,553 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Vista's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $36.80 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $51,937 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Vista, California, the physical therapist assistant hourly pay is projected to be $41.62 in 2026, significantly higher than the national hourly median of $33.77. This rate opens various opportunities for part-time professionals, such as those working three days a week in diverse settings like outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, home health visits, and pediatric therapy environments. With hourly earnings ranging from $28.00 to $55.19 based on experience and specialization, entry-level positions provide a good starting point, while top earners can expect to make considerably more. It's vital to understand that these hourly rates are estimated from underlying annual salary data, and variations can arise depending on the employer type and patient demographics served.
About the Vista 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) | $28.00 | $224.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35.37 | $282.96 |
| Median (P50) | $41.62 | $332.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48.45 | $387.58 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $55.19 | $441.49 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Vista
Based on $41.62/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $41.62/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Vista, CA can expect to earn approximately $86,561 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $49,939. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Vista.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Vista
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,664.64 | $7,213 | $86,561 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $998.78 | $4,328 | $51,937 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $665.85 | $2,885 | $34,624 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Vista) | $41.62 |
| 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 Vista, CA earn a median of $86,553 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.21% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 2.50% above the California state average of $84,442.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $41.62/hr = $51,937/year (purchasing power: $45,921).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $86,561/year (purchasing power: $76,535).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$34.83/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$40.51/hr
2026 Current Est.
$41.62/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Vista (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34.83/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $35.41/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.24/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $37.19/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $37.96/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $43.49/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $40.51/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41.62/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42.75/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Vista grew 16.3% from $34.83/hr (2019) to $40.51/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $42.75/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 Vista 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 Vista
Considering the dynamics of part-time and per-diem employment, a physical therapist assistant working 24 hours per week could earn around $51,857 annually, while full-time roles typically offer more consistent income. Per diem physical therapist assistant pay in Vista varies, generally billing between $32-$48 per hour, although travel contracts can be more lucrative, bringing in $1,200-$1,800 weekly. However, with the impact of the 15% Medicare Part B reimbursement cut enacted in 2022, some settings like skilled nursing facilities may now offer lower pay due to tighter budgets. In Vista, different employer types can present diverse pay rates, with outpatient orthopedic clinics and schools potentially offering better pay compared to home health agencies. For those negotiating their hourly rates, it's useful to assess the benefits of health insurance packages versus the higher pay of contract or per diem work, especially considering the skill mix and demand within specific locales.
More salary data for Vista, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Vista in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Vista?
Are physical therapist assistants in Vista paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Vista?
Do physical therapist assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Vista?
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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 Vista. 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 Vista 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