Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Buena Park, CA: $85,474 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Buena Park, CA earns a median $85,474/year (≈ $41.09/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Buena Park's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $75,574 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Buena Park, California, physical therapist assistants can expect a median annual salary of $85,474 as of 2026, which is notably higher than the national median. The salary range here indicates considerable variability, with entry-level positions starting around $59,715 and experienced practitioners earning up to $109,541. These figures are informed by local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost of living, providing a clear context for the compensation structure in this market. Factors like patient throughput and case complexity significantly influence compensation, making Buena Park a competitive environment for job seekers in the physical therapy field.
About the Buena Park Market
Salary estimated from California average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $59,715 | $28.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $74,155 | $35.65 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $85,474 | $41.09 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $97,319 | $46.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $109,541 | $52.66 |
Median Salary Position
21.68% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Buena Park
In Buena Park, CA, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $49,826 (2026 est.). At $85,474, the local median is 21.68% above the national median of $70,247.
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At 40 hours/week in Buena Park: You'd be above the median
How Buena Park Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Buena Park median: $85,474/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Buena Park Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $84,378 | +1.30% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | +21.68% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Buena Park, CA earn a median of $85,474 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.68% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 1.30% above the California state average of $84,378.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Buena Park has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Buena Park, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $85,474 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $75,574 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$71,534
2025 BLS Actual
$83,203
2026 Current Est.
$85,474
2019–2027 Growth
+22.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Buena Park (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $71,534 | Actual |
| 2020 | $72,727 | Actual |
| 2021 | $74,442 | Actual |
| 2022 | $76,377 | Actual |
| 2023 | $77,971 | Actual |
| 2024 | $89,338 | Actual |
| 2025 | $83,203 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,474 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87,808 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Buena Park metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $71,534 (2019) to $83,203 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $87,808 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,274 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Buena Park 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) | $59,715 – $74,155 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $74,155 – $85,474 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $85,474 – $97,319 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $97,319 – $109,541 |
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 Buena Park
Analyses of the local job market indicate that there are currently 20 physical therapist assistants employed in Buena Park, CA. However, living expenses are a consideration; the cost-of-living index sits at 113.1, indicating that prices are higher than the national average, which can affect take-home pay. Among the various employment settings, outpatient orthopedic clinics typically offer the highest salaries, while skilled nursing facilities may pay lower due to budget constraints resulting from the 15% Medicare cut that affected reimbursements for PTA services. Factors contributing to salary disparities include productivity expectations and varying demands of care environments, with outpatient settings generally providing better pay opportunities than skilled nursing facilities. To maximize earnings in this market, PTAs should focus on enhancing productivity, seeking out outpatient roles, and considering additional certifications that may broaden their skill set and appeal to a wider array of employers.
More salary data for Buena Park, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Buena Park, CA in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Buena Park?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Buena Park?
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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 $83,203 for physical therapist assistantsin the Buena Park 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 Buena Park 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