Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Murrieta, CA: $84,227 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Murrieta, CA earns a median $84,227/year (≈ $40.50/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Murrieta's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $74,471 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physical therapist assistants in Murrieta, California, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $84,227, which reflects a notable increase from previous years and positions them ahead of the national average of $70,247, representing a 19.90% advantage. The local salary range for this profession varies widely, showing figures from $59,687 at the 10th percentile to $112,480 at the 90th percentile. These projections, based on 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional price parities, highlight a competitive market landscape, especially considering the structural shifts following the Medicare cuts, which have influenced job settings considerably. Murrieta's outpatient clinics, in particular, are now contending with the repercussions of reimbursement changes, driving salary adjustments for physical therapist assistants in the area.
About the Murrieta Market
Salary estimated from California average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $59,687 | $28.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $73,866 | $35.51 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $84,227 | $40.50 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $100,390 | $48.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $112,480 | $54.08 |
Median Salary Position
19.90% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Murrieta
In Murrieta, CA, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $52,793 (2026 est.). At $84,227, the local median is 19.9% above the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Murrieta: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Murrieta Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Murrieta median: $84,227/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Murrieta Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $84,396 | -0.20% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | +19.90% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Murrieta, CA earn a median of $84,227 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.90% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 0.20% below the California state average of $84,396.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Murrieta has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Murrieta, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $84,227 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $74,471 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$70,490
2025 BLS Actual
$81,989
2026 Current Est.
$84,227
2019–2027 Growth
+22.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Murrieta (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $70,490 | Actual |
| 2020 | $71,665 | Actual |
| 2021 | $73,356 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,262 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,833 | Actual |
| 2024 | $88,035 | Actual |
| 2025 | $81,989 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84,227 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86,527 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Murrieta metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $70,490 (2019) to $81,989 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $86,527 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,037 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Murrieta 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) | $59,687 – $73,866 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $73,866 – $84,227 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $84,227 – $100,390 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $100,390 – $112,480 |
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 Murrieta
The job market for physical therapist assistants in Murrieta remains robust, with 25 professionals currently employed across various healthcare settings. However, the cost of living index at 113.1 indicates that while salaries are competitive, housing and other expenses can eat into take-home pay. Among local employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics generally offer the highest compensation, followed by specialized hospital inpatient rehab facilities. The difference in earnings across various employment settings stems from several factors, including productivity expectations, the supervision requirements by PTs, and the adverse effects of the recent 15% Medicare cut on outpatient and skilled nursing facility environments. To maximize earning potential, prospective PTAs in Murrieta should seek employment in higher-paying outpatient clinics, consider further education pathways, such as PTA-to-DPT bridge programs, and be open to additional roles in home health or pediatric therapy settings that might provide more lucrative opportunities.
More salary data for Murrieta, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $81,989 for physical therapist assistantsin the Murrieta 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 Murrieta 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