Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Anaheim, CA: $85,884 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Anaheim, CA earns a median $85,884/year (≈ $41.29/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Anaheim's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $75,936 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.8% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the physical therapist assistant salary in Anaheim is projected to reach $85,884 annually, significantly higher than the national average of $70,247, reflecting a local market that has adapted to recent changes in healthcare reimbursement structures. The salary range for this role varies from $56,390 at the 10th percentile to $117,647 for those at the 90th percentile. These figures arise from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted to reflect regional cost variations. The local job market has been shaped by the Medicare reimbursement cuts and the structural divide between outpatient clinics and skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), leading to shifts in compensation dynamics across different care settings.
About the Anaheim Market
Salary estimated from California average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $56,390 | $27.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $72,200 | $34.71 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $85,884 | $41.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $101,621 | $48.86 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $117,647 | $56.56 |
Median Salary Position
22.26% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Anaheim
In Anaheim, CA, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $61,257 (2026 est.). At $85,884, the local median is 22.26% above the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Anaheim: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Anaheim Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Anaheim median: $85,884/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Anaheim Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $84,366 | +1.80% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | +22.26% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Anaheim, CA earn a median of $85,884 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.26% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 1.80% above the California state average of $84,366.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Anaheim has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Anaheim, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $85,884 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $75,936 — a 11.58% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$71,877
2025 BLS Actual
$83,602
2026 Current Est.
$85,884
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Anaheim (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $71,877 | Actual |
| 2020 | $73,075 | Actual |
| 2021 | $74,799 | Actual |
| 2022 | $76,743 | Actual |
| 2023 | $78,345 | Actual |
| 2024 | $94,278 | Actual |
| 2025 | $83,602 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,884 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $88,229 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Anaheim metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $71,877 (2019) to $83,602 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $88,229 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,352 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Anaheim 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) | $56,390 – $72,200 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $72,200 – $85,884 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $85,884 – $101,621 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $101,621 – $117,647 |
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 Anaheim
With 51 physical therapist assistants currently employed in Anaheim, the local job market showcases a robust demand for qualified professionals. The cost of living index stands at 113.1, indicating that while salaries are competitive, the higher living expenses in the region affect overall purchasing power. Outpatient orthopedic clinics and inpatient rehabilitation facilities tend to offer the most lucrative pay, as there is often a greater emphasis on productivity and fewer restrictions than in SNFs, particularly following the 15% Medicare cut. The spread between high and low earnings is influenced by various factors, including work settings, expectations for weekend or PRN shifts, and supervision requirements for effective practice. For those looking to maximize their physical therapist assistant pay in Anaheim, seeking positions in high-demand areas such as outpatient care, building a diverse skill set, and pursuing PTA-to-DPT bridge pathways can prove advantageous.
More salary data for Anaheim, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Anaheim, CA in 2026?
Is Anaheim, CA a good place to work as a physical therapist assistant?
Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Anaheim?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Anaheim?
How much does a physical therapist assistant make per hour in Anaheim?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in California
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 $83,602 for physical therapist assistantsin the Anaheim 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 Anaheim 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