Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Redwood City, CA: $39.69 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Redwood City, CA runs $39.69 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $82,560 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Redwood City's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $35.10 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $49,539 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Redwood City, California, the physical therapist assistant hourly pay is projected to be $39.69 in 2026, notably higher than the national hourly median of $33.77. This elevated hourly rate is particularly advantageous for part-time and per-diem workers in typical settings such as outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, home health visits, hospital inpatient units, and pediatric therapies. For those working three days a week, with a standard full-time schedule translating to around 24 hours, the flexibility of part-time roles can cater to various personal needs alongside career aspirations. Entry-level positions in Redwood City can expect to start at approximately $28.65 per hour, while experienced professionals may earn as much as $51.94 per hour, reflecting the region's diverse opportunities and demand.
About the Redwood City 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) | $28.65 | $229.21 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $34.29 | $274.33 |
| Median (P50) | $39.69 | $317.56 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $45.93 | $367.44 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51.94 | $415.52 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Redwood City
Based on $39.69/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $39.69/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Redwood City, CA can expect to earn approximately $82,565 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $47,634. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Redwood City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Redwood City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,587.79 | $6,880 | $82,565 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $952.68 | $4,128 | $49,539 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $635.12 | $2,752 | $33,026 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Redwood City) | $39.69 |
| 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 Redwood City, CA earn a median of $82,560 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.53% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 2.20% below the California state average of $84,417.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $39.69/hr = $49,539/year (purchasing power: $43,801).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $82,565/year (purchasing power: $73,002).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$33.22/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$38.64/hr
2026 Current Est.
$39.69/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Redwood City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33.22/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $33.77/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $34.57/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $35.47/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $36.21/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $41.49/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $38.64/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39.69/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40.78/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Redwood City grew 16.3% from $33.22/hr (2019) to $38.64/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $40.78/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 Redwood City 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 Redwood City
Focusing on the earning potential for physical therapist assistants in different setups reveals intriguing dynamics. A part-time assistant working 24 hours a week in Redwood City could take home around $49,886 annually, presenting a substantial income relative to some full-time roles. Per diem physical therapist assistant pay in Redwood City can vary, with professionals often billing between $32 and $48 an hour. Additionally, travel contracts may offer lucrative weekly wages ranging from $1,200 to $1,800, although skilled nursing facility agencies have seen reduced rates post the 15% Medicare cut initiated in 2022. The hourly rates might differ significantly based on employer type, which means that professionals in outpatient orthopedic clinics may have different experiences than those in hospitals or pediatric settings. Such choices might also lead physical therapist assistants to trade-off between higher hourly pay without benefits versus a slightly lower rate with health insurance, making negotiation skills vital for those entering the field.
More salary data for Redwood City, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Redwood City in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Redwood City?
Are physical therapist assistants in Redwood City paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Redwood City?
Do physical therapist assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Redwood City?
Related Pages
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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 Redwood City. 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 Redwood City 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