Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Madera, CA: $82,439 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Madera, CA earns a median $82,439/year (≈ $39.63/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Madera's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $72,890 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.3% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Physical therapist assistants in Madera, California, can expect a median annual salary of $82,439 in 2026, which reflects a noteworthy increase compared to the national average of $70,247, equating to approximately 17.36% higher pay. Local data reveals that salaries for this profession can range from $59,398 at the lower end (P10) to $107,695 at the upper end (P90). These estimates are informed by 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost-of-living considerations, which are indicated by Madera's cost of living index of 113.1, above the national average. The compensation dynamics here underscore a competitive job market for physical therapist assistants, shaped by factors including local demand for services and the nature of care settings.
About the Madera Market
Salary estimated from California average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $59,398 | $28.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $72,875 | $35.03 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $82,439 | $39.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $95,343 | $45.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $107,695 | $51.78 |
Median Salary Position
17.36% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Madera
In Madera, CA, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $48,297 (2026 est.). At $82,439, the local median is 17.36% above the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Madera: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Madera Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Madera median: $82,439/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Madera Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $84,379 | -2.30% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | +17.36% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Madera, CA earn a median of $82,439 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.36% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 2.30% below the California state average of $84,379.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Madera has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Madera, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $82,439 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $72,890 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$68,994
2025 BLS Actual
$80,248
2026 Current Est.
$82,439
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Madera (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $68,994 | Actual |
| 2020 | $70,144 | Actual |
| 2021 | $71,798 | Actual |
| 2022 | $73,664 | Actual |
| 2023 | $75,202 | Actual |
| 2024 | $86,166 | Actual |
| 2025 | $80,248 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82,439 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84,689 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Madera metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $68,994 (2019) to $80,248 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $84,689 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,695 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Madera 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) | $59,398 – $72,875 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $72,875 – $82,439 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $82,439 – $95,343 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $95,343 – $107,695 |
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 Madera
In the Madera area, there are currently eight physical therapist assistants employed, indicating a specialized yet limited job market. This compact workforce lends itself to intensified competition among professionals for optimal roles. The elevated cost of living impacts take-home pay, suggesting that salary levels may need to align closely with housing and daily expenses. Outpatient orthopedic clinics generally offer the highest pay, followed by skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies; however, those employed in SNFs may experience pay compression due to the Medicare cuts that have been in effect since 2022. These cuts affect how much physical therapist assistants can earn in settings reliant on Medicare reimbursements. PTA professionals aiming to maximize their earnings may benefit from pursuing additional certifications or transitioning into more lucrative practices, like outpatient clinics, while also considering the PTA-to-DPT bridge pathways for long-term career growth.
More salary data for Madera, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Madera, CA in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Madera?
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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 $80,248 for physical therapist assistantsin the Madera 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 Madera 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