Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Santa Monica, CA: $41.01 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Santa Monica, CA runs $41.01 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $85,307 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Santa Monica's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $36.26 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $51,180 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the physical therapist assistant hourly pay in Santa Monica, California, is projected to reach $41.01, significantly higher than the national median of $33.77. This competitive hourly rate particularly benefits part-time and per-diem workers, allowing those in the field to earn a sizable income while potentially working in various settings like outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and home health visits. The hourly range goes from approximately $28.48 for entry-level positions to $52.29 for those at the higher end of the pay scale, creating flexibility for physical therapist assistants to tailor their schedules to their personal and financial needs. These figures, derived from annual salary data, reflect the increasing demand and value placed on PTAs in Santa Monica’s healthcare landscape.
About the Santa Monica 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) | $28.48 | $227.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35.48 | $283.86 |
| Median (P50) | $41.01 | $328.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46.63 | $373.03 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $52.29 | $418.32 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Santa Monica
Based on $41.01/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $41.01/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Santa Monica, CA can expect to earn approximately $85,300 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $49,212. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Santa Monica.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Santa Monica
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,640.39 | $7,108 | $85,300 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $984.24 | $4,265 | $51,180 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $656.16 | $2,843 | $34,120 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Santa Monica) | $41.01 |
| 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 Monica, CA earn a median of $85,307 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.44% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 1.10% above the California state average of $84,379.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $41.01/hr = $51,180/year (purchasing power: $45,252).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $85,300/year (purchasing power: $75,420).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$34.32/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$39.92/hr
2026 Current Est.
$41.01/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Santa Monica (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34.32/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $34.89/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $35.72/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $36.64/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $37.41/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $42.87/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $39.92/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41.01/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42.13/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Santa Monica grew 16.3% from $34.32/hr (2019) to $39.92/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $42.13/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 Monica 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 Monica
Examining part-time work, a physical therapist assistant who works three days a week typically clocking in 24 hours may take home around $51,000 annually, showcasing a solid income while allowing for work-life balance. Per-diem physical therapist assistant pay in Santa Monica generally falls between $32 and $48 per hour, which is competitive but could vary based on the specific employer type, such as outpatient orthopedic clinics or skilled nursing facilities. Contracts for traveling PTAs often yield weekly pay ranging from $1,200 to $1,800, providing ample opportunity for higher earnings on a flexible schedule. However, recent changes, including the 15% Medicare cut that took effect in 2022, have influenced hourly pay rates in heavily Medicare-dependent settings. Despite this, many PTAs find ways to negotiate better rates or select positions offering health benefits, making the trade-off between hourly wage and employment perks a relevant discussion point among practitioners in Santa Monica and beyond.
More salary data for Santa Monica, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Santa Monica in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Santa Monica?
Are physical therapist assistants in Santa Monica paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Santa Monica?
Do physical therapist assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Santa Monica?
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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 Monica. 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 Monica 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