Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Irvine, CA: $87,677 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Irvine, CA earns a median $87,677/year (≈ $42.15/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Irvine's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $77,522 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.9% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the median annual compensation for a physical therapist assistant in Irvine, California, is projected to be $87,677, showcasing a notable increase compared to the national median of $70,247. This salary reflects the local market dynamics and productivity expectations where effective compensation is driven by the number of patient visits per day. The annual salary range is quite broad, extending from $60,185 at the 10th percentile to $121,002 at the 90th percentile, indicating diverse opportunities depending on experience and the specific employment setting. These estimates are based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional costs, and suggest that prospective PTAs in Irvine can expect competitive pay as the job market continues to grow.
About the Irvine Market
Salary estimated from California average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $60,185 | $28.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $75,916 | $36.50 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $87,677 | $42.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $106,028 | $50.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $121,002 | $58.18 |
Median Salary Position
24.81% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Irvine
In Irvine, CA, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $60,817 (2026 est.). At $87,677, the local median is 24.81% above the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Irvine: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Irvine Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Irvine median: $87,677/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Irvine Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $84,386 | +3.90% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | +24.81% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Irvine, CA earn a median of $87,677 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.81% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 3.90% above the California state average of $84,386.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Irvine has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Irvine, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $87,677 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $77,522 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$73,377
2025 BLS Actual
$85,347
2026 Current Est.
$87,677
2019–2027 Growth
+22.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Irvine (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $73,377 | Actual |
| 2020 | $74,601 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,360 | Actual |
| 2022 | $78,345 | Actual |
| 2023 | $79,980 | Actual |
| 2024 | $91,640 | Actual |
| 2025 | $85,347 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $87,677 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $90,071 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Irvine metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $73,377 (2019) to $85,347 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $90,071 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,694 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Irvine 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) | $60,185 – $75,916 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $75,916 – $87,677 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $87,677 – $106,028 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $106,028 – $121,002 |
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 Irvine
The job market in Irvine consists of approximately 72 physical therapist assistants, with compensation significantly influenced by the area's high cost of living, reflected in a cost-of-living index of 113.1. As this index suggests, while salaries in Irvine are above the national average, the purchasing power may be affected for those working in facilities heavily reliant on Medicare. Outpatient orthopedic clinics typically pay more than skilled nursing facilities or home health agencies. Factors contributing to wage variability include the setting's expectations for productivity, weekend shifts, and additional supervision responsibilities. To maximize earnings, PTAs should consider focusing on outpatient orthopedic settings that often provide bonuses or higher hourly rates. Additionally, continuing education and pursuing a PTA-to-DPT pathway could open more lucrative opportunities in the field.
More salary data for Irvine, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Irvine, CA in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Irvine?
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Related Pages
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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 $85,347 for physical therapist assistantsin the Irvine 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 Irvine 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