Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Santa Clarita, CA: $41.46 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Santa Clarita, CA runs $41.46 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $86,236 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Santa Clarita's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $36.66 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $51,744 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Santa Clarita, the physical therapist assistant hourly pay is projected to be $41.46 in 2026, significantly higher than the national median of $33.77 per hour. This competitive wage offers part-time workers and per-diem professionals, commonly employed in settings like outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and home health, a viable income as they manage flexible schedules. Entry-level physical therapist assistants can expect to earn about $28.63 per hour, while top earners in the field can reach rates of $57.45 per hour. As these figures are derived from annual salary estimates, they reflect the robust earning potential in the region, showcasing how Santa Clarita's pay scales favor those in the profession.
About the Santa Clarita 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) | $28.63 | $229.05 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36.03 | $288.22 |
| Median (P50) | $41.46 | $331.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49.34 | $394.73 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $57.45 | $459.57 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Santa Clarita
Based on $41.46/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $41.46/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Santa Clarita, CA can expect to earn approximately $86,241 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $49,754. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Santa Clarita.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Santa Clarita
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,658.47 | $7,187 | $86,241 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $995.08 | $4,312 | $51,744 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $663.39 | $2,875 | $34,496 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Santa Clarita) | $41.46 |
| 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 Clarita, CA earn a median of $86,236 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.76% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 2.20% above the California state average of $84,379.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $41.46/hr = $51,744/year (purchasing power: $45,751).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $86,241/year (purchasing power: $76,252).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$34.70/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$40.36/hr
2026 Current Est.
$41.46/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Santa Clarita (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34.70/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $35.28/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.11/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $37.05/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $37.82/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $43.33/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $40.36/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41.46/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42.59/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Santa Clarita grew 16.3% from $34.70/hr (2019) to $40.36/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $42.59/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 Clarita 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 Clarita
For a part-time physical therapist assistant working three days a week, the take-home earnings can vary substantially compared to a full-time position. Assuming a 24-hour work week, a part-time PTA may earn approximately $51,000 annually, which is quite competitive relative to broader career paths in healthcare. Per-diem physical therapist assistants typically receive compensation ranging from $32 to $48 per hour, though lucrative travel contracts may offer $1,200 to $1,800 weekly. However, due to the 15% Medicare cut impacting payment models since 2022, some skilled nursing facilities have seen reduced agency pay. Hourly rates also shift depending on the employer type: outpatient orthopedic clinics may offer more favorable terms compared to hospitals or school programs. As PTAs navigate job offers, they should weigh trade-offs between higher hourly rates without benefits and lower rates with health insurance. Negotiating based on experience and specific skills may yield better pay, especially in Santa Clarita's diverse healthcare environment.
More salary data for Santa Clarita, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Santa Clarita in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Santa Clarita?
Are physical therapist assistants in Santa Clarita paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Santa Clarita?
Do physical therapist assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Santa Clarita?
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 Santa Clarita. 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 Clarita 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