Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Costa Mesa, CA: $84,807 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Costa Mesa, CA earns a median $84,807/year (≈ $40.77/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Costa Mesa's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $74,984 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.5% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the physical therapist assistant salary in Costa Mesa, California, is projected to reach a median of $84,807, reflecting a notable 20.73% increase compared to the national median of $70,247 for the same year. Local estimates reveal a salary range from $58,576 at the 10th percentile to $114,652 at the 90th percentile. The outpatient service model has begun to recover and shift after substantial changes due to Medicare cuts, which previously affected compensation dynamics particularly within skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). Consequently, Costa Mesa's job market is adjusting, revealing opportunities for physical therapist assistants that align more closely with outpatient practice settings as they strive to enhance patient outcomes and financial sustainability.
About the Costa Mesa Market
Salary estimated from California average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $58,576 | $28.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $73,222 | $35.21 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $84,807 | $40.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $99,773 | $47.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $114,652 | $55.12 |
Median Salary Position
20.73% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Costa Mesa
In Costa Mesa, CA, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $56,076 (2026 est.). At $84,807, the local median is 20.73% above the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Costa Mesa: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Costa Mesa Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Costa Mesa median: $84,807/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Costa Mesa Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $84,385 | +0.50% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | +20.73% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Costa Mesa, CA earn a median of $84,807 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.73% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 0.50% above the California state average of $84,385.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Costa Mesa has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Costa Mesa, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $84,807 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $74,984 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$70,975
2025 BLS Actual
$82,553
2026 Current Est.
$84,807
2019–2027 Growth
+22.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Costa Mesa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $70,975 | Actual |
| 2020 | $72,158 | Actual |
| 2021 | $73,861 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,780 | Actual |
| 2023 | $77,362 | Actual |
| 2024 | $88,640 | Actual |
| 2025 | $82,553 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84,807 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87,122 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Costa Mesa metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $70,975 (2019) to $82,553 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $87,122 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,147 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Costa Mesa 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) | $58,576 – $73,222 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $73,222 – $84,807 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $84,807 – $99,773 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $99,773 – $114,652 |
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 Costa Mesa
With just 23 physical therapist assistants employed in the area, the job market in Costa Mesa can be competitive, especially in light of the higher cost-of-living index of 113.1, which indicates that residents must plan for their earning potential carefully. Employers focused on outpatient orthopedic clinics and hospital inpatient rehabilitation generally offer the highest pay in the region. Variability in compensation can often be attributed to settings, with hospital roles typically offering superior packages compared to outpatient clinics or SNFs, which have felt the bite of Medicare's 15% reimbursement cut starting in 2022. To maximize earnings, PTAs should explore opportunities in environments with more robust demand and consider specialized certifications or engaging in roles with productivity bonuses to improve their financial outlook in the evolving health care landscape of Costa Mesa, CA.
More salary data for Costa Mesa, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Costa Mesa, CA in 2026?
Is Costa Mesa, CA a good place to work as a physical therapist assistant?
Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Costa Mesa?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Costa Mesa?
How much does a physical therapist assistant make per hour in Costa Mesa?
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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 $82,553 for physical therapist assistantsin the Costa Mesa 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 Costa Mesa 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