Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Fresno, CA: $79,102 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Fresno, CA earns a median $79,102/year (≈ $38.03/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Fresno's price level (2% above national, BEA RPP 102.2), that paycheck buys what $77,431 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.3% below the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Fresno, California, offers a competitive physical therapist assistant salary in Fresno, with a projected median annual income of $79,102 for 2026, which is notably higher than the national median of $70,247. The salary range extends from $38,770 at the 10th percentile to $102,350 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a diverse job market that includes outpatient and skilled nursing facility practices. This compensation data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and projected to 2026, highlights the potential earnings for those in the field amid recent shifts post-Medicare cuts that affected reimbursement structures. In light of these changes, understanding the opportunities in Fresno’s healthcare economy becomes essential for aspiring physical therapist assistants.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,770 | $18.64 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63,374 | $30.47 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $79,102 | $38.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $86,098 | $41.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $102,350 | $49.21 |
Median Salary Position
12.61% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fresno
In Fresno, CA, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $63,580 (2026 est.). At $79,102, the local median is 12.61% above the national median of $70,247.
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At 40 hours/week in Fresno: You'd be above the median
How Fresno Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Fresno median: $79,102/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fresno Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $84,421 | -6.30% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | +12.61% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Fresno, CA earn a median of $79,102 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.61% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 6.30% below the California state average of $84,421.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fresno has a cost of living 2.16% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fresno, CA has a cost-of-living index of 102.158 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $79,102 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $77,431 — a 2.11% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$67,030
2025 BLS Actual
$77,000
2026 Current Est.
$79,102
2019–2027 Growth
+21.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Fresno (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $67,030 | Actual |
| 2020 | $73,510 | Actual |
| 2021 | $72,070 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,500 | Actual |
| 2023 | $78,490 | Actual |
| 2024 | $75,980 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,000 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,102 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,262 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fresno metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 14.9% from $67,030 (2019) to $77,000 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $81,262 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,232 (21.23%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fresno 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) | $38,770 – $63,374 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $63,374 – $79,102 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $79,102 – $86,098 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $86,098 – $102,350 |
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 Fresno
With approximately 220 physical therapist assistants currently employed in Fresno, the local job market remains stable, but new graduates should consider the cost-of-living index, which sits at 102.158, slightly above the national average. This factor impacts real take-home pay, especially in predominantly Medicare-reliant settings like skilled nursing facilities that experienced reduced compensation due to the 15% Medicare cut. Outpatient orthopedic clinics and hospital inpatient rehab programs tend to offer higher salaries, so targeting these employers may enhance overall physical therapist assistant pay in Fresno, CA. Additionally, maximizing earnings can involve seeking positions that involve weekend or PRN work, which often come with premium rates due to high productivity expectations. Applying for roles that provide supervision opportunities can also be advantageous, given the state rules regarding PTA supervision under licensed physical therapists.
More salary data for Fresno, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Fresno, CA in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Fresno?
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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 $77,000 for physical therapist assistantsin the Fresno 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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