PT Assistant Salary

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.

$84,872
Median Annual Salary
$40.80/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$58,316
Entry Level (P10)
$107,548
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Mountain View, CA — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Mountain View, CA physical therapist assistant salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

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

PercentileAnnualHourly
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

$58,316$107,548
City Median: $84,872
National: $70,247
P10–P90 Range

20.82% above the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Mountain View

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for physical therapist assistants in Mountain View. The median salary is $84,872, compared to the national median of $70,247.$52.5K$67.6K$82.7K$97.8K$112.9K$58.3K10th Pctl$72.9K25th Pctl$84.9KMedian$95.9K75th Pctl$107.5K90th PctlUS Median$70.2K

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.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of physical therapist assistant pay in the Mountain View metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$1,632
per week
$7,073
per month
$84,873
per year

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 ToMedian SalaryMountain View Pays
California Average$84,366+0.60% more
National Average$70,247+20.82% more
Horizontal bar chart comparing physical therapist assistant median salary in Mountain View ($84,872) with California average ($84,366) and the US national median ($70,247).Mountain View$84,872California Avg$84,366+0.60%US National$70,247+20.82%

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

$84,872
Nominal Salary
113.1
CoL Index
$75,042
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.

The nominal salary is $84,872. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 113.1, the purchasing-power equivalent is $75,042, a loss of $9,830.$59.7K$69.2K$78.7K$88.1K$97.6K$84,872NominalSalary$75,042CoL Adjusted(CoL: 113.1) -11.58%US Median $70.2K

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 (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for physical therapist assistants in Mountain View. Baseline $71,030 in 2025, projected to $87,189 by 2027.$67.5K$73.7K$79.9K$86.1K$92.2K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$71.0K$72.2K$73.9K$75.8K$77.4K$88.7K$82.6K$84.9K$87.2K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$71,030Actual
2020$72,214Actual
2021$73,918Actual
2022$75,839Actual
2023$77,422Actual
2024$88,709Actual
2025$82,617Actual
2026(current)$84,872Estimated
2027$87,189Projected

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 (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mountain View metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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

ExperienceEstimated 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do physical therapist assistants make in Mountain View, CA in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median physical therapist assistant salary in Mountain View is $84,872/year ($40.80/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 2.73% annual growth). Salaries range from $58,316 at entry level (10th percentile) to $107,548 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Mountain View at 20.8% above the national median. Full-time physical therapist assistants typically work 2,080 hours per year, though many positions offer part-time schedules with flexible hours across multiple practices.

Is Mountain View, CA a good place to work as a physical therapist assistant?

Mountain View physical therapist assistant salaries are 20.8% above the national average and 0.6% above the California state average. The metro area employs approximately 13 physical therapist assistants. With a cost-of-living index of 113.1, you should factor in higher living costs when evaluating compensation. Job availability depends on population density, the number of practices, and retirement turnover in the area.

Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Mountain View?

The median physical therapist assistant salary in Mountain View is $84,872, and the 90th percentile earns $107,548. Reaching $100K in this market typically requires a combination of advanced certifications, working at multiple practices, or transitioning into education or consulting roles.

What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Mountain View?

After adjusting for Mountain View's cost-of-living index of 113.1 (where 100 equals the national average), the $84,872 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $75,042 in an average-cost city. This means living costs in Mountain View reduce the effective value of your salary by 11.6% compared to the national average — consider negotiating higher base pay or exploring nearby lower-cost metros.

How much does a physical therapist assistant make per hour in Mountain View?

Physical Therapist Assistants in Mountain View earn a median hourly rate of $40.80, which translates to approximately $84,872/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $28.04 for entry-level positions to $51.70 for the most experienced practitioners. Part-time and per diem physical therapist assistants sometimes command premium hourly rates because practices need flexible scheduling coverage.

Related Pages

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JL

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.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gonzalez, PTAData verified by Ahmed Khan, DPT

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).

View estimation methodology

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

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