Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Lake Elsinore, CA: $84,144 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Lake Elsinore, CA earns a median $84,144/year (≈ $40.46/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Lake Elsinore's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $74,398 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the outlook for physical therapist assistants in Lake Elsinore, California, indicates a median annual salary of $84,144, which surpasses the national median of $70,247 by approximately 19.78%. This promising compensation scale reflects a salary range from $56,642 at the 10th percentile to $113,356 at the 90th percentile, providing a broad spectrum based on experience and setting. These figures stem from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local economic realities, including cost of living factors. The local market's response to the structural shifts in reimbursement models, particularly after the 15% Medicare cut affecting skilled nursing facilities and outpatient settings, has influenced this salary landscape, creating opportunities for well-paid positions in certain areas.
About the Lake Elsinore Market
Salary estimated from California average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $56,642 | $27.23 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $71,393 | $34.32 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $84,144 | $40.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $94,327 | $45.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $113,356 | $54.50 |
Median Salary Position
19.78% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lake Elsinore
In Lake Elsinore, CA, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $56,714 (2026 est.). At $84,144, the local median is 19.78% above the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lake Elsinore: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lake Elsinore Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Lake Elsinore median: $84,144/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lake Elsinore Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $84,397 | -0.30% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | +19.78% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Lake Elsinore, CA earn a median of $84,144 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.78% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 0.30% below the California state average of $84,397.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lake Elsinore has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lake Elsinore, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $84,144 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $74,398 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$70,421
2025 BLS Actual
$81,908
2026 Current Est.
$84,144
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Lake Elsinore (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $70,421 | Actual |
| 2020 | $71,595 | Actual |
| 2021 | $73,284 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,188 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,757 | Actual |
| 2024 | $87,947 | Actual |
| 2025 | $81,908 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84,144 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86,441 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lake Elsinore metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $70,421 (2019) to $81,908 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $86,441 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,020 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lake Elsinore 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) | $56,642 – $71,393 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $71,393 – $84,144 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $84,144 – $94,327 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $94,327 – $113,356 |
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 Lake Elsinore
Currently, Lake Elsinore employs 18 physical therapist assistants, with their earnings heavily impacted by the prevailing cost of living index of 113.1, indicating that salaries must stretch further against local expenses. The highest compensation is generally found in outpatient orthopedic clinics and hospital inpatient rehab facilities, while skilled nursing facility pay remains lower due to the recent reimbursement cuts. Factors such as setting variations, productivity expectations, and weekend shifts significantly affect the salary spread in this region. To optimize earnings, physical therapist assistants should consider targeting outpatient and hospital settings, enhancing specialties or certifications, and exploring roles that offer PRN hours which can attract higher premiums. Transition pathways toward a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree may also further elevate career prospects and salary potential in this evolving market.
More salary data for Lake Elsinore, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Lake Elsinore, CA in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Lake Elsinore?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Lake Elsinore?
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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 $81,908 for physical therapist assistantsin the Lake Elsinore 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 Lake Elsinore 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