Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Bakersfield, CA: $41.53 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Bakersfield, CA runs $41.53 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $86,396 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Bakersfield's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.9, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $41.17 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $51,834 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
With a projected median hourly pay of $41.53, physical therapist assistants (PTAs) in Bakersfield, California, earn significantly more than the national median hourly rate of $33.77. This higher pay reflects the demand for PTAs in diverse settings such as outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and home health environments. For those considering part-time work, such as a typical schedule of three days a week, the potential income remains competitive, enabling PTAs to balance personal commitments while still earning a reasonable wage. Entry-level positions in Bakersfield start around $31.39 per hour, while experienced professionals can see rates climb to $52.14 per hour. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and highlight the hourly earning potential for PTAs in various roles across the city.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31.39 | $251.15 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37.09 | $296.68 |
| Median (P50) | $41.53 | $332.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48.63 | $389.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $52.14 | $417.08 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bakersfield
Based on $41.53/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $41.53/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bakersfield, CA can expect to earn approximately $86,390 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $49,840. With a cost-of-living index of 100.89 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Bakersfield.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bakersfield
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,661.35 | $7,199 | $86,390 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $996.81 | $4,320 | $51,834 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $664.54 | $2,880 | $34,556 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Bakersfield) | $41.53 |
| 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 Bakersfield, CA earn a median of $86,396 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.99% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 2.40% above the California state average of $84,371.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $41.53/hr = $51,834/year (purchasing power: $51,379).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $86,390/year (purchasing power: $85,631).
CoL index: 100.886 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$32.19/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$40.43/hr
2026 Current Est.
$41.53/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+32.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Bakersfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32.19/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $35.86/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.83/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $36.51/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $37.90/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $38.03/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $40.43/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41.53/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42.67/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Bakersfield grew 25.6% from $32.19/hr (2019) to $40.43/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $42.67/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 Bakersfield 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 Bakersfield
In terms of annual earnings, a PTA working part-time at 24 hours per week can expect to take home considerably less than their full-time counterparts over the course of a year. Per diem physical therapist assistant pay in Bakersfield commonly ranges from $32 to $48 per hour, which can sometimes yield higher overall earnings in short stints but often lacks the stability of full-time positions. Travel PTA contracts offer lucrative options, with weekly pay between $1,200 and $1,800, though skilled nursing facility rates may decline due to recent Medicare adjustments that affected reimbursement patterns. Hourly variations are evident across different employer types; outpatient orthopedic clinics and private practices generally offer better compensation compared to schools or some non-profits. For PTAs, accepting lower hourly rates for stability and benefits like health insurance remains a common trade-off. Negotiation tactics should focus on local market trends and individual skill sets to maximize earning potential in Bakersfield’s evolving healthcare landscape.
More salary data for Bakersfield, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Bakersfield in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Bakersfield?
Are physical therapist assistants in Bakersfield paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Bakersfield?
Do physical therapist assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Bakersfield?
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 Bakersfield. 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