Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Rancho Cordova, CA: $40.25 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Rancho Cordova, CA runs $40.25 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $83,710 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Rancho Cordova's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $35.59 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $50,232 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Rancho Cordova, California, a physical therapist assistant earns a median hourly pay of $40.25, significantly above the national hourly median of $33.77. This elevated hourly rate allows part-time workers, typically employed three days a week, to secure a comfortable income while balancing other commitments. In this profession, PTAs often find themselves in diverse settings such as outpatient clinic gyms, skilled nursing facilities, home health environments, hospital rehab units, and pediatric therapy rooms. With the hourly pay range spanning from $26.76 for entry-level positions to as high as $53.80 for seasoned professionals, the earning potential is robust, reflecting the critical role PTAs play in rehabilitation services. These hourly figures stem from annual salary estimates based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, providing a solid foundation for understanding the local job market.
About the Rancho Cordova 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) | $26.76 | $214.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36.32 | $290.52 |
| Median (P50) | $40.25 | $322.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $45.75 | $365.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $53.80 | $430.40 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Rancho Cordova
Based on $40.25/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $40.25/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Rancho Cordova, CA can expect to earn approximately $83,719 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $48,300. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Rancho Cordova.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Rancho Cordova
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,609.98 | $6,977 | $83,719 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $965.99 | $4,186 | $50,232 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $643.99 | $2,791 | $33,488 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Rancho Cordova) | $40.25 |
| 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 Rancho Cordova, CA earn a median of $83,710 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.17% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 0.80% below the California state average of $84,385.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $40.25/hr = $50,232/year (purchasing power: $44,413).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $83,719/year (purchasing power: $74,022).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$33.69/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$39.18/hr
2026 Current Est.
$40.25/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Rancho Cordova (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33.69/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $34.25/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $35.05/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $35.97/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $36.72/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $42.06/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $39.18/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40.25/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41.35/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Rancho Cordova grew 16.3% from $33.69/hr (2019) to $39.18/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $41.35/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 Rancho Cordova 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 Rancho Cordova
Evaluating the earning potential for part-time physical therapist assistants working in Rancho Cordova reveals that those clocking in at 24 hours a week could expect an annual take-home that varies significantly from full-time counterparts. Typically, per diem physical therapist assistant pay in Rancho Cordova hovers around $32 to $48 per hour, though travel contracts can yield $1,200 to $1,800 weekly, making per diem work an attractive option for many. However, the reality is that agency positions in skilled nursing facilities may face tighter budgets following the CMS's 15% Medicare Part B reimbursement cut implemented in 2022, which can compress pay rates. Hourly pay structures differ across various employer types—including outpatient orthopedic clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and pediatric clinics—resulting in some PTAs accepting lower rates for the stability of benefits while others seek higher hourly rates without the safety net of health insurance. For those negotiating their wages, understanding the local market's pay scales and demonstrating specific skills can be beneficial strategies.
More salary data for Rancho Cordova, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Rancho Cordova in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Rancho Cordova?
Are physical therapist assistants in Rancho Cordova paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Rancho Cordova?
Do physical therapist assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Rancho Cordova?
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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 Rancho Cordova. 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 Rancho Cordova 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