Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Brea, CA: $80,079 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Brea, CA earns a median $80,079/year (≈ $38.50/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Brea's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $70,804 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.1% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the physical therapist assistant salary in Brea, CA is projected to reach a median annual figure of $80,079, presenting an attractive compensation landscape for aspiring professionals. The salary range for this role varies significantly, with entry-level positions starting at around $58,278 and experienced practitioners earning up to $102,991. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional economic conditions. Brea's job market reflects a robust demand for physical therapist assistants, which is essential for ensuring effective healthcare delivery, particularly as outpatient settings thrive and rural areas remain in need of quality care.
About the Brea Market
Salary estimated from California average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $58,278 | $28.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $71,048 | $34.16 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $80,079 | $38.50 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $92,078 | $44.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $102,991 | $49.52 |
Median Salary Position
14.00% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Brea
In Brea, CA, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $44,713 (2026 est.). At $80,079, the local median is 14% above the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Brea: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Brea Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Brea median: $80,079/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Brea Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $84,383 | -5.10% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | +14.00% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Brea, CA earn a median of $80,079 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.00% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 5.10% below the California state average of $84,383.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Brea has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Brea, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $80,079 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $70,804 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$67,019
2025 BLS Actual
$77,951
2026 Current Est.
$80,079
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Brea (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $67,019 | Actual |
| 2020 | $68,136 | Actual |
| 2021 | $69,743 | Actual |
| 2022 | $71,556 | Actual |
| 2023 | $73,049 | Actual |
| 2024 | $83,699 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,951 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80,079 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $82,265 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Brea metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $67,019 (2019) to $77,951 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $82,265 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,246 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brea 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) | $58,278 – $71,048 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $71,048 – $80,079 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $80,079 – $92,078 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $92,078 – $102,991 |
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 Brea
As of now, there are approximately 10 physical therapist assistants employed in Brea, highlighting a concentrated local job market. Given the cost of living index of 113.1, which exceeds the national average, it’s crucial for professionals in the field to consider how this might impact their purchasing power. Outpatient orthopedic clinics and skilled nursing facilities typically offer the most competitive wages, while the significant spread between salaries can often be traced to productivity expectations and the varying settings in which PTAs operate. The 15% Medicare reimbursement cut for PTA services has tightened budget constraints in facilities dependent on Medicare, notably affecting pay in skilled nursing and outpatient environments. To maximize physical therapist assistant pay in Brea, it's advisable to seek positions in higher-paying clinical settings, remain aware of local wage trends, and explore continuing education opportunities, such as PTA-to-DPT bridge pathways offered by accredited institutions.
More salary data for Brea, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Brea, CA in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Brea?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Brea?
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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 $77,951 for physical therapist assistantsin the Brea 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 Brea 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