Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Davis, CA: $81,684 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Davis, CA earns a median $81,684/year (≈ $39.27/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Davis's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $72,223 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.2% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Davis, California, the anticipated median physical therapist assistant salary in 2026 is $81,684, which reflects a competitive landscape compared to the national median of $70,247. The salary range for PTAs spans from $57,589 at the 10th percentile to $105,180 at the 90th percentile, illustrating the potential for significant variation in earnings based on experience, setting, and other factors. These figures are derived from projections based on 2025 BLS state-level data, incorporating regional price adjustments that factor in the cost of living in Davis. Given the local environment, where the demand for skilled PTAs continues to grow, those pursuing the pathway from PTA to DPT can expect to enhance their lifetime earnings substantially as they advance their careers in physical therapy.
About the Davis Market
Salary estimated from California average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $57,589 | $27.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $71,321 | $34.29 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $81,684 | $39.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $95,278 | $45.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $105,180 | $50.56 |
Median Salary Position
16.28% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Davis
In Davis, CA, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,591 (2026 est.). At $81,684, the local median is 16.28% above the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Davis: You'd be above the median
How Davis Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Davis median: $81,684/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Davis Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $84,384 | -3.20% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | +16.28% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Davis, CA earn a median of $81,684 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.28% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 3.20% below the California state average of $84,384.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Davis has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Davis, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $81,684 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $72,223 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$68,362
2025 BLS Actual
$79,513
2026 Current Est.
$81,684
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Davis (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $68,362 | Actual |
| 2020 | $69,501 | Actual |
| 2021 | $71,141 | Actual |
| 2022 | $72,990 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,513 | Actual |
| 2024 | $85,376 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,513 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,684 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83,914 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Davis metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $68,362 (2019) to $79,513 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $83,914 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,552 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Davis 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) | $57,589 – $71,321 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $71,321 – $81,684 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $81,684 – $95,278 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $95,278 – $105,180 |
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 Davis
The local job market in Davis employs 14 physical therapist assistants, highlighting a niche but vital workforce. With a cost-of-living index of 113.1, the purchasing power for PTAs may be affected, making it essential for practitioners in the area to strategize intelligently about their employment opportunities. Outpatient orthopedic clinics often offer the highest salaries, followed closely by skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient settings. Factors impacting the variation in pay include the reimbursement rates from Medicare, especially after the 15% cut on services provided by PTAs. To maximize earning potential in this market, PTAs should consider securing employment in dynamic clinic environments that prioritize productivity and offer premium pay for weekend or PRN shifts.
More salary data for Davis, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Davis, CA in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Davis?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Davis?
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Related Pages
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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 $79,513 for physical therapist assistantsin the Davis 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 Davis 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