Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Downey, CA: $85,462 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Downey, CA earns a median $85,462/year (≈ $41.09/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Downey's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $75,563 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the median annual salary for physical therapist assistants in Downey, California, is projected to be $85,462. This is significantly higher than the national median of $70,247, reflecting a competitive local market for this profession. Salary projections for this region show a broad range, with entry-level pay starting around $55,457, while seasoned professionals may earn up to $116,877. Estimates derived from BLS state-level data and regional price adjustments highlight the impacts of the recent Medicare cuts, particularly the compression of salaries in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). As outpatient therapy settings evolve post-reform, the job market is adapting, favoring those who are focused on outpatient rehabilitation and affecting the salary dynamics accordingly.
About the Downey Market
Salary estimated from California average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $55,457 | $26.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $74,568 | $35.85 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $85,462 | $41.09 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $101,340 | $48.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $116,877 | $56.19 |
Median Salary Position
21.66% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Downey
In Downey, CA, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $61,420 (2026 est.). At $85,462, the local median is 21.66% above the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Downey: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Downey Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Downey median: $85,462/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Downey Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $84,365 | +1.30% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | +21.66% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Downey, CA earn a median of $85,462 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.66% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 1.30% above the California state average of $84,365.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Downey has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Downey, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $85,462 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $75,563 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$71,524
2025 BLS Actual
$83,191
2026 Current Est.
$85,462
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Downey (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $71,524 | Actual |
| 2020 | $72,716 | Actual |
| 2021 | $74,431 | Actual |
| 2022 | $76,366 | Actual |
| 2023 | $77,960 | Actual |
| 2024 | $89,325 | Actual |
| 2025 | $83,191 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,462 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87,795 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Downey metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $71,524 (2019) to $83,191 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $87,795 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,271 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Downey 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) | $55,457 – $74,568 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $74,568 – $85,462 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $85,462 – $101,340 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $101,340 – $116,877 |
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 Downey
With 22 physical therapist assistants currently employed in Downey, the local job market demonstrates reasonable strength. The cost-of-living index stands at 113.1, which indicates a higher living expense compared to the national average. This context affects take-home purchasing power for PTA professionals in the area. Outpatient orthopedic clinics, particularly private practices, tend to offer the highest pay, followed by skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehab. Factors such as setting, productivity expectations, and supervision requirements can widen the pay gap across the industry. The recent 15% Medicare cut has significantly impacted earnings in Medicare-reliant settings, making it critical for PTAs to be strategic about employment opportunities to maximize pay. Exploring roles in outpatient settings, focusing on productivity, and seeking additional certifications can enhance earning potential in this evolving marketplace.
More salary data for Downey, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Downey?
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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 $83,191 for physical therapist assistantsin the Downey 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 Downey 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