Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Bakersfield, CA: $86,396 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Bakersfield, CA earns a median $86,396/year (≈ $41.53/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Bakersfield's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.9), that paycheck buys what $85,637 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.4% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Bakersfield, California, the 2026 median annual salary for physical therapist assistants is projected at $86,396, significantly surpassing the national median of $70,247. The salary range for this role varies from $65,295 at the 10th percentile to $108,442 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse opportunities available in the local market. Since the implementation of the 15% Medicare cut in 2022, the job market for PTAs has seen shifts, particularly affecting settings reliant on Medicare reimbursements like skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). The data presented here comes from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, projecting trends well into 2026, demonstrating that the job market for physical therapist assistants in Bakersfield remains strong despite these challenges.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $65,295 | $31.39 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $77,150 | $37.09 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $86,396 | $41.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $101,148 | $48.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $108,442 | $52.14 |
Median Salary Position
22.99% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bakersfield
In Bakersfield, CA, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $43,147 (2026 est.). At $86,396, the local median is 22.99% above the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bakersfield: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bakersfield Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Bakersfield median: $86,396/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bakersfield Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $84,371 | +2.40% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | +22.99% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Bakersfield, CA earn a median of $86,396 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.99% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 2.40% above the California state average of $84,371.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bakersfield has a cost of living 0.89% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bakersfield, CA has a cost-of-living index of 100.886 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $86,396 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $85,637 — a 0.88% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$66,960
2025 BLS Actual
$84,100
2026 Current Est.
$86,396
2019–2027 Growth
+32.5%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Bakersfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66,960 | Actual |
| 2020 | $74,580 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,600 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,930 | Actual |
| 2023 | $78,830 | Actual |
| 2024 | $79,100 | Actual |
| 2025 | $84,100 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $86,396 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $88,755 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bakersfield metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 25.6% from $66,960 (2019) to $84,100 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $88,755 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,795 (32.55%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bakersfield 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) | $65,295 – $77,150 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $77,150 – $86,396 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $86,396 – $101,148 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $101,148 – $108,442 |
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 Bakersfield
With around 150 physical therapist assistants currently employed in Bakersfield, the local job market is relatively robust. The cost of living index for the area stands slightly above the national average at 100.886, which can impact the purchasing power of PTA salaries. Employers in outpatient orthopedic clinics and hospital inpatient rehab tend to offer the highest pay, with skilled nursing facilities generally sitting lower on the pay scale due to the recent funding cuts. Factors influencing the disparity between lower and higher salaries include productivity expectations and the supervisory requirements mandated by state law and Medicare. For those looking to maximize their earnings in Bakersfield, pursuing positions in outpatient clinics or hospital settings, alongside obtaining additional certifications or training, can be beneficial strategies, particularly in light of the evolving job dynamics in the region.
More salary data for Bakersfield, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $84,100 for physical therapist assistantsin the Bakersfield 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
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