Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Upland, CA: $39.24 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Upland, CA runs $39.24 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $81,624 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Upland's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $34.70 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $48,975 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Upland, California, the physical therapist assistant hourly pay is projected to be $39.24 in 2026, significantly higher than the national median of $33.77. This elevated rate benefits part-time professionals typically working three days a week to earn a competitive income while allowing for flexible schedules. Per-diem physical therapist assistants also stand to gain from this rate, especially in various settings like outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, home health services, and pediatric therapy environments. The hourly wage ranges from $27.50 for entry-level positions to $52.03 for top earners, providing ample opportunity for growth based on experience and workplace setting. Such estimates are drawn from annual salary data, reflecting the financial landscape for PTAs in Upland.
About the Upland 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) | $27.50 | $220.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $34.23 | $273.84 |
| Median (P50) | $39.24 | $313.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $45.73 | $365.80 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $52.03 | $416.26 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Upland
Based on $39.24/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $39.24/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Upland, CA can expect to earn approximately $81,625 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $47,091. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Upland.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Upland
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,569.71 | $6,802 | $81,625 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $941.83 | $4,081 | $48,975 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $627.89 | $2,721 | $32,650 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Upland) | $39.24 |
| 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 Upland, CA earn a median of $81,624 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.20% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 3.30% below the California state average of $84,410.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $39.24/hr = $48,975/year (purchasing power: $43,302).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $81,625/year (purchasing power: $72,171).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$32.84/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$38.20/hr
2026 Current Est.
$39.24/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Upland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32.84/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $33.39/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $34.18/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $35.07/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $35.80/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $41.02/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $38.20/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39.24/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40.31/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Upland grew 16.3% from $32.84/hr (2019) to $38.20/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $40.31/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 Upland 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 Upland
When considering part-time positions, a physical therapist assistant working a 24-hour week can expect to take home approximately $61,000 annually, a level of earning that sustains those balancing other commitments. For per-diem or locum tenens roles, compensation typically falls between $32 and $48 per hour, with travel contracts averaging $1,200 to $1,800 per week. However, the expansion of agency roles, particularly in skilled nursing facilities, has faced challenges due to the 15% Medicare cut effective in 2022, influencing pay structures in settings heavily reliant on Medicare. The variation in hourly rates across different employer types in Upland, including outpatient orthopedic clinics and hospital inpatient rehab, means that opportunities can diverge widely depending on the work environment. PTAs often must weigh the trade-offs between competitive hourly rates without benefits and positions that offer healthcare coverage but lower pay. For those entering the field in 2026, strategic negotiations regarding pay and benefits can significantly influence career satisfaction and overall financial wellbeing in Upland, CA.
More salary data for Upland, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Upland in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Upland?
Are physical therapist assistants in Upland paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Upland?
Do physical therapist assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Upland?
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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 Upland. 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 Upland 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