Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Alameda, CA: $81,971 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Alameda, CA earns a median $81,971/year (≈ $39.41/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Alameda's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $72,477 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.9% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physical therapist assistants in Alameda, California, can expect a median annual salary of $81,971, reflecting a rate considerably higher than the national median of $70,247. This healthy compensation range spans from $58,327 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $109,157 for the top earners (90th percentile), indicating strong potential for income growth in this field. Local estimates, based on 2025 BLS data, are adjusted for the regional cost of living, which tends to influence salary expectations significantly. Given the expectations surrounding productivity and the number of patient visits per day, the pay structure serves as an incentive for PTAs to maximize their efficiency and effectiveness within clinical settings.
About the Alameda Market
Salary estimated from California average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $58,327 | $28.05 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $71,911 | $34.57 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $81,971 | $39.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $96,046 | $46.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $109,157 | $52.47 |
Median Salary Position
16.69% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Alameda
In Alameda, CA, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,830 (2026 est.). At $81,971, the local median is 16.69% above the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Alameda: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Alameda Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Alameda median: $81,971/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Alameda Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $84,420 | -2.90% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | +16.69% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Alameda, CA earn a median of $81,971 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.69% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 2.90% below the California state average of $84,420.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Alameda has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Alameda, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $81,971 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $72,477 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$68,602
2025 BLS Actual
$79,793
2026 Current Est.
$81,971
2019–2027 Growth
+22.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Alameda (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $68,602 | Actual |
| 2020 | $69,746 | Actual |
| 2021 | $71,391 | Actual |
| 2022 | $73,247 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,775 | Actual |
| 2024 | $85,676 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,793 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,971 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84,209 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Alameda metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $68,602 (2019) to $79,793 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $84,209 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,607 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Alameda 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $58,327 – $71,911 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $71,911 – $81,971 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $81,971 – $96,046 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $96,046 – $109,157 |
PTA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Assistant Job Market in Alameda
With only 12 physical therapist assistants currently employed in Alameda, the job market is relatively contained, yet there are opportunities for competitive pay, especially in outpatient orthopedic clinics where compensation tends to be higher. The cost of living index in the area, sitting at 113.1, indicates that while salaries are appealing, the relatively elevated living expenses can affect take-home pay. Factors such as productivity expectations, weekend or PRN shifts, and supervision requirements contribute to the variation in wages within the industry. Additionally, the recent 15% Medicare cut to PTA reimbursements has affected earnings, particularly in skilled nursing facilities and outpatient settings. For those in Alameda, maximizing income may involve seeking opportunities in high-demand environments or diversifying skills through bridge programs from PTA to DPT, aligning with the evolving landscape of the profession.
More salary data for Alameda, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Alameda, CA in 2026?
Is Alameda, CA a good place to work as a physical therapist assistant?
Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Alameda?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Alameda?
How much does a physical therapist assistant make per hour in Alameda?
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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $79,793 for physical therapist assistantsin the Alameda metropolitan area. A 2.73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Alameda 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