Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Manteca, CA: $82,513 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Manteca, CA earns a median $82,513/year (≈ $39.67/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Manteca's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $72,956 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the physical therapist assistant salary in Manteca is projected to reach $82,513, significantly higher than the national average of $70,247. The salary range for physical therapist assistants in the area varies, with the lowest earners receiving approximately $59,568 and the highest making up to $108,148. These estimates are based on 2025 BLS state-level data adjusted for regional cost variances and reflect how post-Medicare cuts have influenced the local job market dynamics. The shift in focus from skilled nursing facilities to outpatient care has brought about changes in earning potential, indicating that job settings and productivity expectations play crucial roles in compensation in Manteca.
About the Manteca Market
Salary estimated from California average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $59,568 | $28.64 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $73,028 | $35.11 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $82,513 | $39.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $95,389 | $45.86 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $108,148 | $51.99 |
Median Salary Position
17.46% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Manteca
In Manteca, CA, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $48,580 (2026 est.). At $82,513, the local median is 17.46% above the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Manteca: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Manteca Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Manteca median: $82,513/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Manteca Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $84,369 | -2.20% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | +17.46% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Manteca, CA earn a median of $82,513 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.46% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 2.20% below the California state average of $84,369.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Manteca has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Manteca, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $82,513 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $72,956 — 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
$69,055
2025 BLS Actual
$80,320
2026 Current Est.
$82,513
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Manteca (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $69,055 | Actual |
| 2020 | $70,207 | Actual |
| 2021 | $71,863 | Actual |
| 2022 | $73,730 | Actual |
| 2023 | $75,269 | Actual |
| 2024 | $86,242 | Actual |
| 2025 | $80,320 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82,513 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84,765 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Manteca metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $69,055 (2019) to $80,320 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $84,765 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,710 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Manteca 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) | $59,568 – $73,028 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $73,028 – $82,513 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $82,513 – $95,389 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $95,389 – $108,148 |
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 Manteca
Currently, there are 13 physical therapist assistants employed in Manteca, giving this market a modest yet stable job presence. The cost of living index for the area stands at 113.1, suggesting that while salaries appear attractive, the actual purchasing power may be affected by local expenses. Outpatient orthopedic clinics and home health agencies tend to offer the most competitive salaries among local employers, while skilled nursing facilities have seen wage compression due to the Medicare 15% cut. Earnings variability often arises from factors such as working hours, weekend premiums, productivity demands, and the location of practice. To maximize pay in Manteca, PTAs should consider seeking positions in higher-paying outpatient roles and explore opportunities for specialized training, which can enhance their marketability in a competitive job market.
More salary data for Manteca, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Manteca, CA in 2026?
Is Manteca, CA a good place to work as a physical therapist assistant?
Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Manteca?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Manteca?
How much does a physical therapist assistant make per hour in Manteca?
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 $80,320 for physical therapist assistantsin the Manteca 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 Manteca 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