Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Citrus Heights, CA: $40.40 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Citrus Heights, CA runs $40.40 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $84,037 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Citrus Heights's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $35.72 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $50,424 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Citrus Heights, the physical therapist assistant hourly pay is projected to reach $40.40 in 2026, significantly surpassing the national median hourly rate of $33.77. This elevated rate offers lucrative opportunities for those pursuing part-time work or per-diem roles in settings such as outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and pediatric therapy spaces. For individuals working three days a week, the hourly pay provides a solid income and flexibility, allowing for more work-life balance. The hourly range varies from $27.11 for entry-level positions to $51.86 for more experienced practitioners, reflecting a steady demand for physical therapist assistants in the area, which is connected to the growth in rehabilitation services.
About the Citrus Heights 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) | $27.11 | $216.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $34.22 | $273.75 |
| Median (P50) | $40.40 | $323.23 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46.05 | $368.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51.86 | $414.86 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Citrus Heights
Based on $40.40/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $40.40/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Citrus Heights, CA can expect to earn approximately $84,040 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $48,484. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Citrus Heights.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Citrus Heights
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,616.15 | $7,003 | $84,040 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $969.69 | $4,202 | $50,424 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $646.46 | $2,801 | $33,616 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Citrus Heights) | $40.40 |
| 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 Citrus Heights, CA earn a median of $84,037 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.63% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 0.40% below the California state average of $84,375.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $40.40/hr = $50,424/year (purchasing power: $44,583).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $84,040/year (purchasing power: $74,306).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$33.81/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$39.33/hr
2026 Current Est.
$40.40/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Citrus Heights (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33.81/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $34.38/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $35.19/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $36.10/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $36.86/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $42.23/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $39.33/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40.40/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41.51/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Citrus Heights grew 16.3% from $33.81/hr (2019) to $39.33/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $41.51/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 Citrus Heights 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 Citrus Heights
Analyzing the financial dynamics further reveals the part-time earning potential for a physical therapist assistant working 24 hours a week, translating to an annual take-home that can be sufficient, albeit less than that secured by full-time counterparts. Per diem roles present unique realities; many physical therapist assistants bill between $32 and $48 per hour, and agency contracts can offer weekly earnings that range from $1,200 to $1,800. In Citrus Heights, the hourly rates differ among employer types, with clinics offering competitive rates that might be offset by benefits in skilled nursing facilities. It's essential for professionals to weigh the trade-offs between accepting lower hourly pay with benefits versus higher hourly rates that come with fewer or no benefits at all. When negotiating, physical therapist assistants should emphasize their qualifications and local demand for skilled practitioners to secure optimal compensation in this evolving healthcare landscape.
More salary data for Citrus Heights, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Citrus Heights in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Citrus Heights?
Are physical therapist assistants in Citrus Heights paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Citrus Heights?
Do physical therapist assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Citrus Heights?
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 Citrus Heights. 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 Citrus Heights 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