Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in El Cajon, CA: $40.36 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in El Cajon, CA runs $40.36 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $83,961 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against El Cajon's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $35.69 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $50,373 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a median hourly pay of $40.36 in El Cajon, physical therapist assistants earn significantly more than the national median of $33.77 per hour. This attractive rate supports various work arrangements, making the profession appealing for part-time employees and per-diem workers alike. For those who might prefer flexibility, a physical therapist assistant working three days a week is well-positioned to benefit from El Cajon's competitive pay structure. The hourly range for PTAs in this area spans from $27.09 at entry-level positions to $53.76 for top earners. These figures, based on projected data from 2025 BLS estimates, reveal the earning potential for PTAs in various settings, such as outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, home health visits, and hospitals.
About the El Cajon 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) | $27.09 | $216.72 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $34.37 | $274.99 |
| Median (P50) | $40.36 | $322.90 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47.01 | $376.07 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $53.76 | $430.07 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in El Cajon
Based on $40.36/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $40.36/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in El Cajon, CA can expect to earn approximately $83,954 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $48,435. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in El Cajon.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in El Cajon
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,614.50 | $6,996 | $83,954 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $968.70 | $4,198 | $50,373 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $645.80 | $2,798 | $33,582 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (El Cajon) | $40.36 |
| 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 El Cajon, CA earn a median of $83,961 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.52% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 0.50% below the California state average of $84,383.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $40.36/hr = $50,373/year (purchasing power: $44,538).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $83,954/year (purchasing power: $74,230).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$33.78/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$39.29/hr
2026 Current Est.
$40.36/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in El Cajon (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33.78/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $34.34/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $35.15/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $36.07/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $36.82/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $42.19/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $39.29/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40.36/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41.46/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in El Cajon grew 16.3% from $33.78/hr (2019) to $39.29/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $41.46/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 El Cajon 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 El Cajon
In terms of annual income, a part-time physical therapist assistant working 24 hours per week can expect to earn substantially less than their full-time counterparts, translating to about $50,000 if considering a $40.36 hourly rate without paid time off or benefits. Per diem physical therapist assistant pay in El Cajon typically falls between $32 and $48 per hour, while travel PTA contracts can provide higher earnings, ranging from $1,200 to $1,800 per week. However, recent Medicare cuts have led to lower agency PTA rates in skilled nursing facilities, affecting overall compensation. Hourly pay can vary significantly based on employer type; outpatient orthopedic clinics generally offer more competitive rates than home health agencies or school therapy programs. Physical therapist assistants must weigh the benefits of job security and healthcare coverage against hourly wages when negotiating their pay. In El Cajon, knowing your worth and presenting a robust case for higher hourly compensation can lead to better opportunities in this evolving job market.
More salary data for El Cajon, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in El Cajon in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in El Cajon?
Are physical therapist assistants in El Cajon paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in El Cajon?
Do physical therapist assistants earn more per hour working part-time in El Cajon?
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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 El Cajon. 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 El Cajon 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