Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in San Francisco, CA: $47.38 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in San Francisco, CA runs $47.38 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $98,539 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against San Francisco's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.6, 16% above national), each hour of work buys what $40.98 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $59,129 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Physical therapist assistants in San Francisco can expect a solid median hourly pay of $47.38, significantly higher than the national hourly median of $33.77. This competitive rate translates to remarkable opportunities for part-time and per-diem workers in various settings, including outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, inpatient rehabilitation, and home health services. For someone working part-time at three days a week, averaging around 24 hours, the income could still provide a favorable lifestyle in a city known for its high cost of living. Notably, the hourly earnings for San Francisco PTAs range from $32.89 at the 10th percentile to $57.71 at the 90th percentile, creating a lucrative scope for varying experience levels and specializations in this field, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32.89 | $263.15 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40.39 | $323.15 |
| Median (P50) | $47.38 | $379.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $50.04 | $400.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $57.71 | $461.71 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in San Francisco
Based on $47.38/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $47.38/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in San Francisco, CA can expect to earn approximately $98,548 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $56,855. With a cost-of-living index of 115.61 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in San Francisco.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in San Francisco
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,895.16 | $8,212 | $98,548 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,137.10 | $4,927 | $59,129 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $758.07 | $3,285 | $39,419 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (San Francisco) | $47.38 |
| 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 San Francisco, CA earn a median of $98,539 per year (2026 est.), which is 40.28% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 16.70% above the California state average of $84,438.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $47.38/hr = $59,129/year (purchasing power: $51,144).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $98,548/year (purchasing power: $85,240).
CoL index: 115.613 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$32.23/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$46.12/hr
2026 Current Est.
$47.38/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in San Francisco (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32.23/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $32.31/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.13/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $42.60/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $45.98/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $46.74/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $46.12/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47.38/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48.67/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in San Francisco grew 43.1% from $32.23/hr (2019) to $46.12/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $48.67/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 San Francisco 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 San Francisco
Considering the earning potential for those choosing to work part-time in the San Francisco area, a physical therapist assistant logging 24 hours a week could take home approximately $54,700 annually, a respectable figure compared to other local job options. Additionally, per diem physical therapist assistant pay in San Francisco typically falls between $32 and $48 per hour, providing flexibility while allowing PTAs to balance multiple commitments. For travel contracts, PTAs can earn weekly sums ranging from $1,200 to $1,800, which adds to the attractiveness of agency positions. With the 15% cut in Medicare reimbursement for PTA services since 2022, compensation can differ significantly across employer types; outpatient clinics may offer higher hourly rates than skilled nursing facilities. When negotiating hourly rates, PTAs should consider the overall compensation package, balancing base pay against benefits like health insurance, which may be a deciding factor for many working in the field.
More salary data for San Francisco, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in San Francisco in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in San Francisco?
Are physical therapist assistants in San Francisco paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in San Francisco?
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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 San Francisco. 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