Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Santa Cruz, CA: $43.14 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Santa Cruz, CA runs $43.14 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $89,714 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Santa Cruz's regional price level (BEA RPP 109.9, 10% above national), each hour of work buys what $39.25 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $53,834 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Physical therapist assistants (PTAs) in Santa Cruz, California, have a projected hourly median pay of $43.14, significantly higher than the national median hourly rate of $33.77. This difference means that PTAs working part-time, say three days a week, can expect a comfortable income, especially in diverse settings like outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and home health visits. The hourly pay can range from $31.58 for entry-level positions to approximately $55.62 for those at the top of the pay scale. With official Bureau of Labor Statistics data supporting these figures, this salary range reflects the area's cost of living index, which stands at 109.896, indicating a higher expense for residents but also correspondingly higher pay relative to many other regions.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31.58 | $252.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41.22 | $329.72 |
| Median (P50) | $43.14 | $345.09 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48.78 | $390.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $55.62 | $444.94 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Santa Cruz
Based on $43.14/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $43.14/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Santa Cruz, CA can expect to earn approximately $89,724 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $51,764. With a cost-of-living index of 109.90 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Santa Cruz.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Santa Cruz
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,725.45 | $7,477 | $89,724 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,035.27 | $4,486 | $53,834 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $690.18 | $2,991 | $35,889 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Santa Cruz) | $43.14 |
| 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 Cruz, CA earn a median of $89,714 per year (2026 est.), which is 27.71% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 6.30% above the California state average of $84,397.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $43.14/hr = $53,834/year (purchasing power: $48,986).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $89,724/year (purchasing power: $81,644).
CoL index: 109.896 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$36.10/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$41.99/hr
2026 Current Est.
$43.14/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Santa Cruz (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36.10/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $36.70/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.45/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $38.55/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $38.48/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $40.30/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $41.99/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $43.14/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44.31/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Santa Cruz grew 16.3% from $36.10/hr (2019) to $41.99/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $44.31/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 Cruz 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 Cruz
When looking at the annual take-home for part-time physical therapist assistants who work 24 hours a week, their earnings would significantly diverge from full-time counterparts, as full-time often encompasses 40 hours or more weekly. Those in per-diem roles can typically command a range of $32-$48 per hour, depending on the employer and setting, though many PTAs may also venture into travel contracts that net $1,200-$1,800 a week. Unfortunately, due to the Medicare reimbursement cuts implemented in 2022, pay for those working in skilled nursing facilities, a sector heavily reliant on Medicare patients, has seen declines. Hourly wages can differ across various employer types, with outpatient orthopedic clinics often offering higher rates compared to pediatric therapy spaces or home health agencies. Ultimately, some PTAs opt for positions with lower hourly rates to secure health benefits, while others may prioritize higher wages that come without those perks. Negotiating salary effectively in Santa Cruz involves considering the overall compensation package and understanding specific market rates, especially for positions in specialized care areas.
More salary data for Santa Cruz, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Santa Cruz in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Santa Cruz?
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How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Santa Cruz?
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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 Cruz. 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, 4-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