Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Mountain View, CA: $40.80 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Mountain View, CA runs $40.80 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $84,872 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Mountain View's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $36.08 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $50,924 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Mountain View, California, physical therapist assistants earn a median hourly rate of $40.80, significantly higher than the national hourly median of $33.77. This favorable rate positively impacts part-time workers, particularly those on a three-day workweek. With their typical settings ranging from outpatient clinic gyms to skilled nursing facilities and home health visits, part-time PTAs can enjoy flexibility while benefiting from a robust hourly pay structure. The hourly rate in Mountain View varies considerably, with the lower end around $28.04, which applies to entry-level positions, while some top earners can go as high as $51.70 per hour. Such a spectrum demonstrates the diverse opportunities available in this profession, all based on projections from 2025 BLS data, which illuminate potential earnings for aspiring or current physical therapist assistants.
About the Mountain View 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) | $28.04 | $224.28 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35.05 | $280.41 |
| Median (P50) | $40.80 | $326.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46.11 | $368.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51.70 | $413.63 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Mountain View
Based on $40.80/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $40.80/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Mountain View, CA can expect to earn approximately $84,873 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $48,965. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Mountain View.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Mountain View
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,632.17 | $7,073 | $84,873 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $979.30 | $4,244 | $50,924 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $652.87 | $2,829 | $33,949 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Mountain View) | $40.80 |
| 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 Mountain View, CA earn a median of $84,872 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.82% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 0.60% above the California state average of $84,366.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $40.80/hr = $50,924/year (purchasing power: $45,025).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $84,873/year (purchasing power: $75,042).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$34.15/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$39.72/hr
2026 Current Est.
$40.80/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Mountain View (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34.15/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $34.72/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $35.54/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $36.46/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $37.22/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $42.65/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $39.72/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40.80/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41.92/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Mountain View grew 16.3% from $34.15/hr (2019) to $39.72/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $41.92/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 Mountain View 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 Mountain View
Physical therapist assistants looking to work part-time can expect to earn significantly less annually compared to their full-time counterparts. A PTA working 24 hours each week could take home around $50,784 per year, contrasted with the more lucrative full-time earnings of those who work 40 hours per week. The per diem physical therapist assistant pay in Mountain View tends to fluctuate, with daily wages ranging from $32 to $48 an hour, while agency contracts for travel PTAs can yield up to $1,800 weekly. Additionally, PTAs working in skilled nursing facilities may see diminished rates due to the Medicare cuts introduced in 2022, leading to tighter budgets. Hourly rates across settings can vary: outpatient orthopedic clinics tend to offer competitive compensation, while home health agencies may provide higher pay for less conventional hours. The choice for PTAs often hinges on balancing the higher hourly rates typical for per diem work with the stability and benefits provided by full-time employment, prompting many to negotiate based on their personal needs and preferences.
More salary data for Mountain View, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Mountain View in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Mountain View?
Are physical therapist assistants in Mountain View paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Mountain View?
Do physical therapist assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Mountain View?
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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 Mountain View. 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 Mountain View 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