Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Fresno, CA: $38.03 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Fresno, CA runs $38.03 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $79,102 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Fresno's regional price level (BEA RPP 102.2, 2% above national), each hour of work buys what $37.23 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $47,462 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fresno, California, the physical therapist assistant hourly pay stands at a competitive $38.03, surpassing the national median of $33.77. This favorable rate means that part-time professionals working, for instance, three days a week can expect a solid paycheck while enjoying the flexibility often associated with per-diem roles. Employment settings for physical therapist assistants range from outpatient clinics and skilled nursing facilities to home health and pediatric therapy environments, which employ staff at varying levels of experience. Entry-level positions may start at $18.64 per hour, whereas seasoned professionals can command rates as high as $49.21, presenting significant earning potential based on skill and expertise. Overall, these figures are derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.64 | $149.08 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.47 | $243.76 |
| Median (P50) | $38.03 | $304.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $41.39 | $331.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $49.21 | $393.66 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fresno
Based on $38.03/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $38.03/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fresno, CA can expect to earn approximately $79,104 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $45,637. With a cost-of-living index of 102.16 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Fresno.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fresno
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,521.23 | $6,592 | $79,104 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $912.74 | $3,955 | $47,462 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $608.49 | $2,637 | $31,641 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Fresno) | $38.03 |
| 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 Fresno, CA earn a median of $79,102 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.61% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 6.30% below the California state average of $84,421.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $38.03/hr = $47,462/year (purchasing power: $46,460).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $79,104/year (purchasing power: $77,433).
CoL index: 102.158 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$32.22/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$37.02/hr
2026 Current Est.
$38.03/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+21.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Fresno (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32.22/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $35.34/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $34.65/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $36.30/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $37.74/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $36.53/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $37.02/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38.03/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39.07/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Fresno grew 14.9% from $32.22/hr (2019) to $37.02/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $39.07/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 Fresno 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 Fresno
The part-time earnings for a physical therapist assistant working 24 hours a week can add up significantly over a year, potentially exceeding $49,000 annually. In part-time arrangements, professionals may also find opportunities for increased income through per-diem work, with pay rates typically ranging from $32 to $48 per hour. However, the changing dynamics in healthcare reimbursement, especially after the 15% Medicare cut implemented in 2022, have affected agencies that heavily rely on Medicare, causing a softening in rates at skilled nursing facilities. Fresno’s market includes diverse employment types, from outpatient orthopedic chains to hospital inpatient rehab, with hourly pay differing across settings. Workers may need to consider trade-offs between higher hourly rates and benefits such as health insurance. Those negotiating their pay should advocate for their worth, while also being mindful of variations in employer offerings and the current job landscape trends in physical therapy.
More salary data for Fresno, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Fresno in 2026?
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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 Fresno. 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