PT Assistant Salary

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

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

Los Angeles, CA
$84,382
$40.57/hr
Perris, CA
$82,507
$39.66/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLos Angeles, CAPerris, CA
Median Salary$84,382$82,507
Hourly Rate$40.57$39.66
Entry Level (P10)$61,340$59,215
25th Percentile$79,739$73,013
75th Percentile$92,395$97,179
Top Earner (P90)$103,819$108,127
Total Employed3,73012
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Los Angeles ($84,382) and Perris ($82,507) physical therapist assistant salaries.Los AngelesPerrisMedian Salary$84,382$82,507Entry Level (P10)$61,340$59,215Top Earner (P90)$103,819$108,127US Median $70,247

Verdict

Los Angeles, CA offers better overall compensation for physical therapist assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Perris.

The salary gap between Los Angeles and Perris is $1,875 (2.27%). 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,Perris spans $48,912. Perris has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced physical therapist assistants.

Los Angeles
P10 (Entry)$61,340
P25$79,739
Median$84,382
P75$92,395
P90 (Top)$103,819
Perris
P10 (Entry)$59,215
P25$73,013
Median$82,507
P75$97,179
P90 (Top)$108,127

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Los Angeles ($74,302 effective) pays 1.85% more than Perris ($72,950 effective).

Los Angeles
Nominal: $84,382
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $74,302
Perris
Nominal: $82,507
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $72,950

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)
  • Larger job market (3,730 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $74,302)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Perris if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($108,127)
  • 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 -6.9% growth in Perris over the same period.

Los Angeles, CA

+14.6%

$71,690 (2019) → $82,140 (2025)

Perris, CA

+-6.9%

$86,235 (2024) → $80,314 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Los Angeles has a higher median physical therapist assistant salary at $84,382/year, compared to Perris at $82,507/year — a difference of $1,875 (2.27%).

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

Los Angeles physical therapist assistants earn $40.57/hr while Perris hygienists earn $39.66/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Los Angeles and Perris. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Los Angeles = $74,302, Perris = $72,950), job availability (3,730 vs 12 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapist assistants earn $61,340 in Los Angeles and $59,215 in Perris. The Los Angeles 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