Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Indio, CA: $82,867 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Indio, CA earns a median $82,867/year (≈ $39.84/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Indio's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $73,269 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.8% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physical therapist assistants in Indio, California, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $82,867, reflecting a competitive rate compared to the national median of $70,247. This salary range spans from $60,046 at the lower end (P10) to $109,316 at the upper end (P90), highlighting the potential for income variance within this profession. These figures are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and regional price adjustments, which take into account the cost of living in the area. As the demand for physical therapist assistants continues to grow, especially with the potential career pathway of transitioning from PTA to DPT, these local salaries offer an advantageous starting point for those entering the field.
About the Indio Market
Salary estimated from California average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $60,046 | $28.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $73,762 | $35.46 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $82,867 | $39.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $96,220 | $46.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $109,316 | $52.56 |
Median Salary Position
17.97% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Indio
In Indio, CA, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $49,270 (2026 est.). At $82,867, the local median is 17.97% above the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Indio: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Indio Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Indio median: $82,867/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Indio Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $84,386 | -1.80% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | +17.97% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Indio, CA earn a median of $82,867 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.97% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 1.80% below the California state average of $84,386.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Indio has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Indio, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $82,867 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $73,269 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$69,352
2025 BLS Actual
$80,665
2026 Current Est.
$82,867
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Indio (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $69,352 | Actual |
| 2020 | $70,508 | Actual |
| 2021 | $72,171 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,047 | Actual |
| 2023 | $75,592 | Actual |
| 2024 | $86,613 | Actual |
| 2025 | $80,665 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82,867 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $85,129 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Indio metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $69,352 (2019) to $80,665 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $85,129 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,777 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Indio 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) | $60,046 – $73,762 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $73,762 – $82,867 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $82,867 – $96,220 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $96,220 – $109,316 |
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 Indio
With 23 physical therapist assistants currently employed in Indio, the local job market demonstrates a stable demand. However, it's essential to consider the cost-of-living index of 113.1, which indicates that expenses are above the national average, potentially impacting take-home pay. Outpatient orthopedic clinics typically offer the highest salaries, followed by skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies. The disparity between the lowest and highest pay rates can be attributed to factors such as productivity expectations, the setting of work—where hospital environments generally provide higher compensation than outpatient settings—and the effect of the 15% Medicare cut on reimbursement for services provided by PTAs. To maximize earnings in Indio's market, pursuing certifications and gaining experience in high-paying settings, along with taking on PRN shifts during weekends, can significantly enhance financial prospects for physical therapist assistants.
More salary data for Indio, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Indio, CA in 2026?
Is Indio, CA a good place to work as a physical therapist assistant?
Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Indio?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Indio?
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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 $80,665 for physical therapist assistantsin the Indio 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 Indio 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