Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Lake Forest, CA: $82,867 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Lake Forest, 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 Lake Forest'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 Lake Forest, California, the projected median annual salary for physical therapist assistants is $82,867 in 2026, reflecting a notable increase compared to the national median of $70,247. The salary range here spans from $60,046 at the 10th percentile to $109,316 at the 90th percentile, providing a solid scope for earning potential, depending on experience and work settings. These figures derive from 2025 BLS state-level data and regional price adjustments, indicating local market conditions. With the continuing trend in education pathways, including the PTA-to-DPT bridge, those pursuing further qualifications can significantly enhance their lifetime earning potential, creating appealing prospects for job seekers in Lake Forest's healthcare landscape.
About the Lake Forest 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) | $71,949 | $34.59 |
| 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 Lake Forest
In Lake Forest, 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 Lake Forest: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lake Forest Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Lake Forest median: $82,867/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lake Forest Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $84,386 | -1.80% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | +17.97% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Lake Forest, 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
Lake Forest has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lake Forest, 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.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
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 Lake Forest (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 Lake Forest 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 Lake Forest 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 – $71,949 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $71,949 – $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 Lake Forest
The local job market for physical therapist assistants in Lake Forest comprises about 14 professionals actively filling these roles, yet it also coexists with a distinct cost of living index of 113.1. This index suggests that while salaries are comparatively high, the purchasing power may be impacted by living costs. Employers across various settings, particularly outpatient orthopedic clinics and skilled nursing facilities, tend to offer the highest pay. Variations in compensation can arise from factors such as setting, productivity expectations, and Medicare regulations, which have impacted reimbursements significantly since the 15% cut in 2022. To maximize pay in this market, gaining experience in outpatient settings or pursuing weekend and PRN opportunities may yield higher rates. Furthermore, bridging to a Doctor of Physical Therapy could open doors for increased responsibilities and higher compensation, shaping a more prosperous career trajectory in this expanding field.
More salary data for Lake Forest, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Lake Forest, CA in 2026?
Is Lake Forest, CA a good place to work as a physical therapist assistant?
Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Lake Forest?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Lake Forest?
How much does a physical therapist assistant make per hour in Lake Forest?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in California
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 Lake Forest 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 Forest 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