Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Fontana, CA: $87,774 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Fontana, CA earns a median $87,774/year (≈ $42.20/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Fontana's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $77,607 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.0% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, professionals in Fontana, CA, can expect a median annual salary of $87,774 for physical therapist assistants, notably surpassing the national median of $70,247 by nearly 25%. The salary range within the city varies significantly, with entry-level positions starting around $56,538 and experienced roles reaching up to $118,731. These figures reflect regional cost adjustments based on data derived from 2025 BLS estimates, providing a comprehensive overview of what one might earn in this role. Given the productivity demands and visits-per-day expectations in outpatient settings, there is an increasing focus on maximizing efficiency and patient interaction, which ultimately affects compensation structures within Fontana’s healthcare job market.
About the Fontana Market
Salary estimated from California average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $56,538 | $27.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $72,950 | $35.07 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $87,774 | $42.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $102,976 | $49.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $118,731 | $57.09 |
Median Salary Position
24.95% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fontana
In Fontana, CA, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $62,193 (2026 est.). At $87,774, the local median is 24.95% above the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fontana: You'd be above the median
How Fontana Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Fontana median: $87,774/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fontana Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $84,398 | +4.00% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | +24.95% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Fontana, CA earn a median of $87,774 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.95% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 4.00% above the California state average of $84,398.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fontana has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fontana, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $87,774 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $77,607 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$73,458
2025 BLS Actual
$85,441
2026 Current Est.
$87,774
2019–2027 Growth
+22.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Fontana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $73,458 | Actual |
| 2020 | $74,683 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,445 | Actual |
| 2022 | $78,431 | Actual |
| 2023 | $80,068 | Actual |
| 2024 | $91,740 | Actual |
| 2025 | $85,441 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $87,774 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $90,170 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fontana metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $73,458 (2019) to $85,441 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $90,170 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,712 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fontana 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) | $56,538 – $72,950 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $72,950 – $87,774 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $87,774 – $102,976 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $102,976 – $118,731 |
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 Fontana
The employment landscape for physical therapist assistants in Fontana comprises about 32 active practitioners, indicating a localized job market that presents both opportunities and challenges. The cost of living index stands at 113.1, which is above the national average, impacting take-home purchasing power. In Fontana, outpatient orthopedic clinics typically offer the highest pay, followed by skilled nursing facilities and hospital rehabilitation settings. Variability in compensation can be attributed to factors such as workplace setting, weekend premiums, and the supervision requirements that come with the role. The ongoing effects of the Medicare 15% cut on reimbursement for PTA-provided services have particularly compressed wages in heavily reliant environments. To optimize earnings, physical therapist assistants should focus on securing positions in high-paying outpatient clinics, while also pursuing additional certifications or taking on supervisory roles when possible, ensuring their skill sets remain competitive in this evolving market.
More salary data for Fontana, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Fontana, CA in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Fontana?
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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 $85,441 for physical therapist assistantsin the Fontana 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 Fontana 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