Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Visalia, CA: $39.23 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Visalia, CA runs $39.23 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $81,609 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Visalia's regional price level (BEA RPP 99.8, 0% above national), each hour of work buys what $39.30 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $48,962 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Visalia, California, the physical therapist assistant hourly pay is projected at $39.23 in 2026, significantly higher than the national median of $33.77. This advantageous rate positions PTAs favorably, especially for those considering part-time work, such as three-day-a-week schedules in settings like outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, or home health contexts. The hourly pay range extends from $30.13 for entry-level positions to $46.98 for top earners, reflecting the potential for career advancement and diverse work settings. As physical therapist assistants often work under the supervision of licensed physical therapists, exploring various environments—such as pediatric therapy spaces or hospital inpatient units—can lead to even more competitive hourly pay rates, aligning with both local demand and the professional standards of the field.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30.13 | $241.05 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37.88 | $303.01 |
| Median (P50) | $39.23 | $313.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $41.59 | $332.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $46.98 | $375.83 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Visalia
Based on $39.23/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $39.23/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Visalia, CA can expect to earn approximately $81,604 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $47,079. With a cost-of-living index of 99.83 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Visalia.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Visalia
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,569.30 | $6,800 | $81,604 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $941.58 | $4,080 | $48,962 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $627.72 | $2,720 | $32,642 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Visalia) | $39.23 |
| 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 Visalia, CA earn a median of $81,609 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.17% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 3.30% below the California state average of $84,394.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $39.23/hr = $48,962/year (purchasing power: $49,048).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $81,604/year (purchasing power: $81,747).
CoL index: 99.825 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$29.95/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$38.19/hr
2026 Current Est.
$39.23/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Visalia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.95/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $38.27/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $35.47/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $36.22/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $40.02/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $38.39/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $38.19/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39.23/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40.30/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Visalia grew 27.5% from $29.95/hr (2019) to $38.19/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $40.30/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 Visalia 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 Visalia
Analyzing part-time earnings reveals that a physical therapist assistant working 24 hours a week could expect to bring home approximately $61,066 annually. For PTAs interested in flexible options, per-diem work offers varied compensation; typical per diem physical therapist assistant pay in Visalia ranges from $32 to $48 per hour, while travel contracts might yield weekly earnings between $1,200 and $1,800. Hourly rates fluctuate significantly across employer types in Visalia; outpatient orthopedic clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and home health agencies each offer unique compensation structures influenced by the recent 15% Medicare reimbursement cuts. Some PTAs choose lower hourly wages in exchange for health insurance benefits, while others prefer higher rates without benefits. Effective negotiation, tailored to local standards, can help leverage hourly rates successfully, ensuring that physical therapist assistants in Visalia maximize their earning potential in a competitive environment.
More salary data for Visalia, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Visalia in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Visalia?
Are physical therapist assistants in Visalia paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Visalia?
Do physical therapist assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Visalia?
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 Visalia. 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