Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Bellflower, CA: $40.34 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Bellflower, CA runs $40.34 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $83,904 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Bellflower's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $35.67 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $50,347 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bellflower, the physical therapist assistant hourly pay is projected to be $40.34 in 2026, significantly above the national hourly median of $33.77. This favorable hourly rate reflects the demand for PTAs in various clinical settings, including outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and home health environments. For part-time workers, such as those working three days a week, this pay translates to approximately $1,272 per week based on a 24-hour work schedule, allowing for a reasonable income while maintaining flexible hours. The hourly range for physical therapist assistants in Bellflower varies widely, with entry-level positions starting around $26.97 and experienced professionals earning up to $54.21 per hour. These figures indicate robust earning potential for PTAs across different practice environments, estimated based on annual salary data from 2025.
About the Bellflower 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) | $26.97 | $215.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35.63 | $285.01 |
| Median (P50) | $40.34 | $322.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47.44 | $379.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $54.21 | $433.68 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bellflower
Based on $40.34/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $40.34/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bellflower, CA can expect to earn approximately $83,912 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $48,410. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Bellflower.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bellflower
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,613.68 | $6,993 | $83,912 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $968.21 | $4,196 | $50,347 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $645.47 | $2,797 | $33,565 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Bellflower) | $40.34 |
| 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 Bellflower, CA earn a median of $83,904 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.44% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 0.60% below the California state average of $84,410.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $40.34/hr = $50,347/year (purchasing power: $44,515).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $83,912/year (purchasing power: $74,192).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$33.76/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$39.27/hr
2026 Current Est.
$40.34/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Bellflower (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33.76/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $34.33/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $35.14/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $36.05/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $36.80/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $42.16/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $39.27/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40.34/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41.44/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Bellflower grew 16.3% from $33.76/hr (2019) to $39.27/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $41.44/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 Bellflower 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 Bellflower
For those considering part-time or per-diem physical therapist assistant positions, the financial landscape varies. Working 24 hours a week would yield an annual income of around $66,144, which remains competitive yet distinctly lower than full-time earnings. Some PTAs choose per-diem roles, allowing greater flexibility, with rates between $32 and $48 per hour depending on demand and employer type. Travel PTA contracts can offer enticing compensation, ranging from $1,200 to $1,800 per week, though skilled nursing facilities might present lower pay due to the 15% Medicare cut impacting reimbursements since 2022. Employers like outpatient orthopedic clinics typically offer better hourly rates compared to other settings, yet this comes at the cost of job security and benefits. Negotiating a balance between higher hourly rates without benefits and lower rates with health insurance is crucial for many PTAs. When considering positions, awareness of the specific context and compensation structures in Bellflower will help prospective PTAs make informed choices about their careers.
More salary data for Bellflower, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Bellflower in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Bellflower?
Are physical therapist assistants in Bellflower paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Bellflower?
Do physical therapist assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Bellflower?
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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 Bellflower. 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 Bellflower 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