Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Mountain View, CA: $84,872 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Mountain View, CA earns a median $84,872/year (≈ $40.80/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Mountain View's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $75,042 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, the projected salary for physical therapist assistants in Mountain View, California, is estimated to be $84,872, significantly higher than the national median of $70,247. This local market shows great potential, with a salary range extending from $58,316 at the 10th percentile to as much as $107,548 at the 90th percentile. Data sourced from BLS state-level estimates and regional price adjustments highlight that this area has attracted a workforce responsive to changes in physical rehabilitation practices, particularly following the Medicare cuts that shifted compensation dynamics. The evolving landscape between outpatient clinics and skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) has led to distinct shifts in operational demand, ultimately influencing salary structures and job availability for physical therapist assistants.
About the Mountain View Market
Salary estimated from California average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $58,316 | $28.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $72,899 | $35.05 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $84,872 | $40.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $95,901 | $46.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $107,548 | $51.70 |
Median Salary Position
20.82% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Mountain View
In Mountain View, CA, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $49,232 (2026 est.). At $84,872, the local median is 20.82% above the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Mountain View: You'd be above the median
How Mountain View Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Mountain View median: $84,872/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Mountain View Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $84,366 | +0.60% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | +20.82% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Mountain View, CA earn a median of $84,872 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.82% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 0.60% above the California state average of $84,366.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Mountain View has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Mountain View, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $84,872 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $75,042 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$71,030
2025 BLS Actual
$82,617
2026 Current Est.
$84,872
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Mountain View (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $71,030 | Actual |
| 2020 | $72,214 | Actual |
| 2021 | $73,918 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,839 | Actual |
| 2023 | $77,422 | Actual |
| 2024 | $88,709 | Actual |
| 2025 | $82,617 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84,872 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87,189 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Mountain View metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $71,030 (2019) to $82,617 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $87,189 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,159 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mountain View 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) | $58,316 – $72,899 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $72,899 – $84,872 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $84,872 – $95,901 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $95,901 – $107,548 |
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 Mountain View
With only 13 physical therapist assistants currently employed in Mountain View, CA, competition remains focused but robust, particularly amid a cost of living index of 113.1 that complicates take-home pay. Outpatient orthopedic clinics typically offer the highest salaries, yet challenges persist due to the financial constraints imposed by the 15% Medicare cut affecting both outpatient and SNF environments. As physical therapist assistants contemplate their career paths, maximizing earning potential may involve seeking employment in hospital inpatient rehab settings or specialized pediatric clinics where supervisory requirements and productivity standards often yield higher compensation rates. Engaging in practices such as weekend work or PRN roles can also substantially enhance overall pay while navigating the existing constraints of the local healthcare economy.
More salary data for Mountain View, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Mountain View, CA in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Mountain View?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Mountain View?
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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 $82,617 for physical therapist assistantsin the Mountain View 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 Mountain View 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