Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Santee, CA: $40.87 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Santee, CA runs $40.87 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $84,993 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Santee's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $36.13 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $51,001 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Santee, California, the physical therapist assistant hourly pay is projected to reach $40.87 in 2026, significantly higher than the national median of $33.77. This competitive rate provides attractive opportunities for both full-time and part-time positions in various healthcare settings such as outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, home health environments, and pediatric therapy spaces. For part-time workers who typically engage for three days a week, often totaling around 24 hours, this hourly rate can translate into a solid supplemental income. Those in entry-level positions may earn around $28.17, while seasoned professionals can expect to make as much as $51.90 per hour. It's essential to understand that these hourly figures are derived from annual salary data, reflecting the financial landscape for physical therapist assistants in Santee.
About the Santee 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) | $28.17 | $225.35 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35.16 | $281.32 |
| Median (P50) | $40.87 | $326.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47.13 | $377.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51.90 | $415.19 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Santee
Based on $40.87/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $40.87/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Santee, CA can expect to earn approximately $85,001 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $49,039. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Santee.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Santee
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,634.64 | $7,083 | $85,001 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $980.78 | $4,250 | $51,001 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $653.86 | $2,833 | $34,001 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Santee) | $40.87 |
| 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 Santee, CA earn a median of $84,993 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.99% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 0.70% above the California state average of $84,402.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $40.87/hr = $51,001/year (purchasing power: $45,094).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $85,001/year (purchasing power: $75,156).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$34.20/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$39.78/hr
2026 Current Est.
$40.87/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Santee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34.20/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $34.77/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $35.59/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $36.52/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $37.28/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $42.71/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $39.78/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40.87/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41.98/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Santee grew 16.3% from $34.20/hr (2019) to $39.78/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $41.98/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 Santee 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 Santee
For physical therapist assistants considering part-time roles, working three days a week translates to taking home approximately $51,244 annually. This figure, while respectable, pales in comparison to full-time earnings, which can approach or exceed $84,993. The per diem physical therapist assistant pay in Santee can vary widely, with billing rates generally falling between $32 and $48 per hour. It's worth noting that many agencies and travel contracts for PTAs offer pay between $1,200 and $1,800 consistently on a weekly basis. However, with the 15% cut to Medicare reimbursement impacting many Medicare-dependent settings, especially skilled nursing facilities, PTAs may find that some facilities are unable to offer competitive hourly rates. In Santee, the pay can differ based on setting; outpatient orthopedic clinics might provide higher compensation compared to hospitals or school therapy programs. When negotiating hourly rates, consider whether higher pay comes with trade-offs like limited benefits, which can be critical for some physical therapist assistants focused on financial stability and health insurance coverage.
More salary data for Santee, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Santee in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Santee?
Are physical therapist assistants in Santee paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Santee?
Do physical therapist assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Santee?
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 Santee. 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 Santee 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