Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Riverside, CA: $39.12 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Riverside, CA runs $39.12 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $81,372 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Riverside's regional price level (BEA RPP 106.4, 6% above national), each hour of work buys what $36.75 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $48,821 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Riverside, California, physical therapist assistants earn a median hourly pay of $39.12, which is considerably higher than the national median of $33.77. This rate significantly benefits part-time employees and per-diem workers, who often find opportunities in diverse settings such as outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and pediatric therapy spaces. The hourly pay scales range from approximately $30.68 at the entry-level to as much as $48.72 for highly experienced practitioners in the area. With such competitive hourly wages based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, many PTAs in Riverside are drawn to positions that offer flexibility, allowing them to balance their professional commitments with personal responsibilities.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30.68 | $245.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36.61 | $292.90 |
| Median (P50) | $39.12 | $312.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $41.93 | $335.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $48.72 | $389.80 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Riverside
Based on $39.12/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $39.12/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Riverside, CA can expect to earn approximately $81,369 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $46,944. With a cost-of-living index of 106.44 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Riverside.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Riverside
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,564.78 | $6,781 | $81,369 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $938.87 | $4,068 | $48,821 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $625.91 | $2,712 | $32,547 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Riverside) | $39.12 |
| 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 Riverside, CA earn a median of $81,372 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.84% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 3.60% below the California state average of $84,411.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $39.12/hr = $48,821/year (purchasing power: $45,867).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $81,369/year (purchasing power: $76,444).
CoL index: 106.442 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$35.04/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$38.08/hr
2026 Current Est.
$39.12/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Riverside (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35.04/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.48/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $35.82/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $37.06/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $38.58/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $38.14/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $38.08/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39.12/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40.19/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Riverside grew 8.7% from $35.04/hr (2019) to $38.08/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $40.19/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 Riverside 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 Riverside
Exploring the earning potential for part-time physical therapist assistants reveals that those working three days a week, totaling 24 hours, could take home a substantial income compared to their full-time counterparts. Per-diem physical therapist assistant pay in Riverside typically ranges between $32 and $48 per hour, while travel PTA contracts can offer lucrative weekly earnings between $1,200 and $1,800. However, the recent Medicare cut impacting SNF reimbursement rates has led to a decline in agency pay, prompting PTAs to weigh the benefits of stable employment with health insurance against the allure of higher hourly wages without benefits. Various settings, from outpatient orthopedic clinics to home health agencies, reflect differing pay scales tied to their patient demographics. Negotiation becomes essential in this landscape, particularly for hourly workers seeking better compensation and benefits aligned with their skills and experience.
More salary data for Riverside, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Riverside in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Riverside?
Are physical therapist assistants in Riverside paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Riverside?
Do physical therapist assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Riverside?
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 Riverside. 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