Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Turlock, CA: $39.68 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Turlock, CA runs $39.68 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $82,539 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Turlock's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $35.09 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $49,526 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Turlock, California, the physical therapist assistant (PTA) hourly pay is projected to reach a median of $39.68 in 2026, which is significantly higher than the national hourly median of $33.77. This lucrative hourly rate opens numerous opportunities for both part-time and per-diem workers in various settings, including outpatient clinics, rehabilitation facilities, and home health care. For part-time PTAs working three days a week, typically totaling around 24 hours, the financial rewards can be substantial, especially considering that entry-level positions start at approximately $28.63, while experienced PTAs can command rates as high as $53.38. Given that these hourly figures are estimated from annual salary data, they reflect a competitive market in Turlock, pivotal for attracting and retaining skilled professionals in the field.
About the Turlock 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) | $35.13 | $281.07 |
| Median (P50) | $39.68 | $317.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46.79 | $374.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $53.38 | $427.03 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Turlock
Based on $39.68/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $39.68/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Turlock, CA can expect to earn approximately $82,544 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $47,622. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Turlock.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Turlock
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,587.38 | $6,879 | $82,544 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $952.43 | $4,127 | $49,526 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $634.95 | $2,751 | $33,018 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Turlock) | $39.68 |
| 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 Turlock, CA earn a median of $82,539 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.50% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 2.20% below the California state average of $84,396.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $39.68/hr = $49,526/year (purchasing power: $43,790).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $82,544/year (purchasing power: $72,983).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$33.21/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$38.63/hr
2026 Current Est.
$39.68/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Turlock (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33.21/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $33.77/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $34.56/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $35.46/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $36.20/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $41.48/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $38.63/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39.68/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40.77/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Turlock grew 16.3% from $33.21/hr (2019) to $38.63/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $40.77/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 Turlock 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 Turlock
Evaluating part-time earnings reveals that a PTA working three days a week may take home a considerable sum annually, generally less than their full-time counterparts, but offering the flexibility many desire. Per diem physical therapist assistant pay in Turlock varies widely, with typical rates ranging from $32 to $48 per hour for short-term assignments. Travel PTA contracts can be particularly lucrative, yielding $1,200 to $1,800 weekly, although recent cuts in Medicare reimbursements have impacted the potential pay in skilled nursing facilities significantly. The variation in hourly rates is also influenced by the type of employer; outpatient clinics may offer different compensation compared to those in home health or pediatric settings. Additionally, many PTAs may have to choose between higher hourly wages without benefits or lower pay that includes health insurance, making negotiation skills essential for success in Turlock's market. Understanding these dynamics while considering career pathways, such as PTA-to-DPT bridge programs, can greatly influence a PTA’s decision-making on their career direction in the field.
More salary data for Turlock, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Turlock. 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 Turlock 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