Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Santa Maria, CA: $42.06 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Santa Maria, CA runs $42.06 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $87,475 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Santa Maria's regional price level (BEA RPP 108.8, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $38.66 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $52,488 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Santa Maria, the physical therapist assistant hourly pay reaches a median of $42.06, significantly above the national hourly median of $33.77. This competitive hourly rate benefits both full-time and part-time workers in a range of environments—from outpatient clinics and skilled nursing facilities to hospital inpatient units and home health visits. For those working part-time, say, three days a week, this pay enables a steady income while allowing flexibility in scheduling. Entry-level physical therapist assistants can expect to start at approximately $31.63 per hour, while experienced professionals may command as much as $50.60, reflecting the considerable demand for skilled practitioners in this growing field. These figures stem from projected data based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31.63 | $253.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37.09 | $296.68 |
| Median (P50) | $42.06 | $336.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46.88 | $375.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50.60 | $404.84 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Santa Maria
Based on $42.06/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $42.06/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Santa Maria, CA can expect to earn approximately $87,480 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $50,469. With a cost-of-living index of 108.80 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Santa Maria.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Santa Maria
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,682.31 | $7,290 | $87,480 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,009.38 | $4,374 | $52,488 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $672.92 | $2,916 | $34,992 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Santa Maria) | $42.06 |
| 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 Maria, CA earn a median of $87,475 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.52% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 3.60% above the California state average of $84,435.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $42.06/hr = $52,488/year (purchasing power: $48,243).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $87,480/year (purchasing power: $80,406).
CoL index: 108.798 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$33.22/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$40.94/hr
2026 Current Est.
$42.06/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Santa Maria (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33.22/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $32.27/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.53/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $38.24/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $39.17/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $39.63/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $40.94/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42.06/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43.21/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Santa Maria grew 23.2% from $33.22/hr (2019) to $40.94/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $43.21/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 Maria 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 Maria
For a physical therapist assistant working part-time in Santa Maria, earnings can fluctuate significantly. A PTA working three days per week would ultimately earn a little over $52,000 annually, which can provide a comfortable lifestyle. However, per diem physical therapist assistant pay in Santa Maria typically runs between $32 and $48 per hour, making it a viable option for those seeking flexible hours or supplementary income. Travel contracts for PTAs often promise around $1,200 to $1,800 weekly, though earnings may fluctuate due to varying demand. Hourly rates also differ by employer type, with outpatient orthopedic clinics and skilled nursing facilities generally offering differing compensation structures. The choice often lies between accepting a slightly lower hourly rate for the stability of employer-sponsored health insurance versus aiming for higher hourly rates without the benefits. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for negotiation, especially in a thriving market where certain facilities may be more amenable to upward pay adjustments than others.
More salary data for Santa Maria, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Santa Maria in 2026?
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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 Maria. 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