PT Assistant Salary

Los Angeles vs Oxnard: Physical Therapist Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare physical therapist assistant salaries between Los Angeles, CA and Oxnard, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Los Angeles, CA
$84,382
$40.57/hr
Oxnard, CA
$81,650
$39.25/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLos Angeles, CAOxnard, CA
Median Salary$84,382$81,650
Hourly Rate$40.57$39.25
Entry Level (P10)$61,340$62,768
25th Percentile$79,739$75,322
75th Percentile$92,395$86,981
Top Earner (P90)$103,819$101,415
Total Employed3,730210
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Los Angeles ($84,382) and Oxnard ($81,650) physical therapist assistant salaries.Los AngelesOxnardMedian Salary$84,382$81,650Entry Level (P10)$61,340$62,768Top Earner (P90)$103,819$101,415US Median $70,247

Verdict

Los Angeles, CA offers better overall compensation for physical therapist assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Oxnard.

The salary gap between Los Angeles and Oxnard is $2,732 (3.35%). Los Angeles's median is +20.12% compared to the US national median of $70,247.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Los Angeles spans $42,479,Oxnard spans $38,647. Los Angeles has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Los Angeles
P10 (Entry)$61,340
P25$79,739
Median$84,382
P75$92,395
P90 (Top)$103,819
Oxnard
P10 (Entry)$62,768
P25$75,322
Median$81,650
P75$86,981
P90 (Top)$101,415

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Los Angeles ($74,302 effective) pays 0.59% more than Oxnard ($73,869 effective).

Los Angeles
Nominal: $84,382
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $74,302
Oxnard
Nominal: $81,650
CoL Index: 110.534
Adjusted: $73,869

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Los Angeles if…

  • Higher median salary ($84,382/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($103,819)
  • Larger job market (3,730 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $74,302)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Oxnard if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist assistant salaries in Los Angeles grew 14.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 20.4% growth in Oxnard over the same period.

Los Angeles, CA

+14.6%

$71,690 (2019) → $82,140 (2025)

Oxnard, CA

+20.4%

$66,040 (2019) → $79,480 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapist assistants more: Los Angeles or Oxnard?

Los Angeles has a higher median physical therapist assistant salary at $84,382/year, compared to Oxnard at $81,650/year — a difference of $2,732 (3.35%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Los Angeles and Oxnard?

Los Angeles physical therapist assistants earn $40.57/hr while Oxnard hygienists earn $39.25/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Los Angeles to Oxnard as a physical therapist assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Los Angeles and Oxnard. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Los Angeles = $74,302, Oxnard = $73,869), job availability (3,730 vs 210 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapist assistants earn in Los Angeles vs Oxnard?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapist assistants earn $61,340 in Los Angeles and $62,768 in Oxnard. The Oxnard area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JL

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.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gonzalez, PTAData verified by Ahmed Khan, DPT

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.73% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, DPT, a licensed physical therapist assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov