Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Folsom, CA: $87,177 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Folsom, CA earns a median $87,177/year (≈ $41.91/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Folsom's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $77,080 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Physical therapist assistants in Folsom, California, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $87,177 in 2026, which exceeds the national average for this profession by roughly 24.10%. Salaries for these roles range from $58,292 at the lower end (P10) to $112,086 at the higher end (P90), indicating a competitive job marketplace influenced by local demands and cost-of-living factors. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences, reflect the salary landscape for physical therapist assistants, where productivity expectations and the number of patient visits per day are critical for effective compensation. As Folsom continues to grow, professionals need to understand how these dynamics shape their earning potential and career trajectory in the area.
About the Folsom Market
Salary estimated from California average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $58,292 | $28.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $73,941 | $35.54 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $87,177 | $41.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $99,476 | $47.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $112,086 | $53.89 |
Median Salary Position
24.10% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Folsom
In Folsom, CA, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $53,794 (2026 est.). At $87,177, the local median is 24.1% above the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Folsom: You'd be above the median
How Folsom Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Folsom median: $87,177/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Folsom Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $84,392 | +3.30% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | +24.10% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Folsom, CA earn a median of $87,177 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.10% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 3.30% above the California state average of $84,392.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Folsom has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Folsom, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $87,177 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $77,080 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$72,959
2025 BLS Actual
$84,860
2026 Current Est.
$87,177
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Folsom (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $72,959 | Actual |
| 2020 | $74,175 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,925 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,898 | Actual |
| 2023 | $79,524 | Actual |
| 2024 | $87,926 | Actual |
| 2025 | $84,860 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $87,177 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $89,557 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Folsom metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $72,959 (2019) to $84,860 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $89,557 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,598 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Folsom 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) | $58,292 – $73,941 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $73,941 – $87,177 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $87,177 – $99,476 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $99,476 – $112,086 |
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 Folsom
The local job market for physical therapist assistants in Folsom shows promising strength, with around 17 individuals currently employed in this capacity. However, the cost of living index reflects a reality with a score of 113.1, indicating that while salaries may be higher than the national average, purchasing power can be impacted by housing and other expenses. Among local employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics often provide higher wages compared to skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies, particularly as productivity expectations shift and the impact of recent Medicare reimbursement cuts becomes more pronounced. The spread between lower and higher salaries can be attributed to various factors, including workplace setting, the added value of weekend shifts, supervisory roles, and market pressures. For those considering their future in Folsom, focusing on enhancing skillsets and exploring the PTA-to-DPT bridge pathways can further improve earning opportunities within this evolving field.
More salary data for Folsom, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Folsom, CA in 2026?
Is Folsom, CA a good place to work as a physical therapist assistant?
Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Folsom?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Folsom?
How much does a physical therapist assistant make per hour in Folsom?
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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 $84,860 for physical therapist assistantsin the Folsom 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 Folsom 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