Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Santa Clara, CA: $48.81 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Santa Clara, CA runs $48.81 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $101,517 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Santa Clara's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $43.15 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $60,911 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Santa Clara, the physical therapist assistant hourly pay stands at a remarkable $48.81, significantly above the national median hourly rate of $33.77. This higher compensation reflects the cost of living in the area and the demand for skilled healthcare professionals. For those working part-time, such as three days a week, this hourly wage translates into a solid income, enabling them to thrive in various settings like outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and pediatric therapy spaces. Entry-level practitioners may start around $32.96 per hour, while experienced PTAs can earn up to $63.19, allowing for considerable variation based on experience and specific work environments.
About the Santa Clara 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) | $32.96 | $263.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43.41 | $347.31 |
| Median (P50) | $48.81 | $390.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $55.76 | $446.09 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $63.19 | $505.51 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Santa Clara
Based on $48.81/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $48.81/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Santa Clara, CA can expect to earn approximately $101,519 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $58,568. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Santa Clara.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Santa Clara
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,952.28 | $8,460 | $101,519 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,171.37 | $5,076 | $60,911 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $780.91 | $3,384 | $40,607 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Santa Clara) | $48.81 |
| 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 Santa Clara, CA earn a median of $101,517 per year (2026 est.), which is 44.51% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 20.30% above the California state average of $84,386.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $48.81/hr = $60,911/year (purchasing power: $53,856).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $101,519/year (purchasing power: $89,760).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$40.85/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$47.51/hr
2026 Current Est.
$48.81/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Santa Clara (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40.85/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $41.53/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $42.51/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $43.61/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $44.52/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $43.55/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $47.51/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48.81/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50.14/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Santa Clara grew 16.3% from $40.85/hr (2019) to $47.51/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $50.14/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 Santa Clara 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 Santa Clara
While working part-time equates to an annual income based on roughly 24 hours a week, full-time roles open up more lucrative opportunities. Part-time PTAs in Santa Clara could anticipate earnings of around $61,706 annually, providing a stable yet flexible lifestyle. Per diem physical therapist assistant pay in Santa Clara typically ranges from $32 to $48 per hour, with agency PTAs sometimes seeing weekly contracts between $1,200 and $1,800, depending on their travel arrangements. However, the landscape has shifted since the CMS cut, resulting in decreased pay for services in certain Medicare-heavy environments. Some PTAs opt for roles that offer better hourly rates but no benefits, while others prioritize positions that include health insurance. Understanding these dynamics and negotiating effectively based on individual needs is essential for physical therapist assistants navigating their career path in CA.
More salary data for Santa Clara, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Santa Clara in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Santa Clara?
Are physical therapist assistants in Santa Clara paid hourly or salary?
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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 Santa Clara. 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 Santa Clara 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