Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Ontario, CA: $82,470 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Ontario, CA earns a median $82,470/year (≈ $39.65/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Ontario's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $72,918 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.3% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physical therapist assistants (PTAs) in Ontario, California can expect to earn a median annual salary of $82,470, which is notably higher than the national median of $70,247, representing an increase of 17.40%. The salary range for PTAs here spans from $55,265 at the 10th percentile to $109,285 at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price differentials. For those considering the PTA-to-DPT bridge, the additional qualifications can significantly augment lifetime earnings, providing a strategic career path that unlocks higher salary opportunities in the healthcare sector. With local demand for PTAs in Ontario, the job market appears promising for new graduates and seasoned professionals alike.
About the Ontario Market
Salary estimated from California average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $55,265 | $26.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $69,918 | $33.61 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $82,470 | $39.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $95,713 | $46.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $109,285 | $52.54 |
Median Salary Position
17.40% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ontario
In Ontario, CA, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $54,020 (2026 est.). At $82,470, the local median is 17.4% above the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Ontario: You'd be above the median
How Ontario Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Ontario median: $82,470/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ontario Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $84,411 | -2.30% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | +17.40% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Ontario, CA earn a median of $82,470 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.40% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 2.30% below the California state average of $84,411.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ontario has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Ontario, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $82,470 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $72,918 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$69,019
2025 BLS Actual
$80,278
2026 Current Est.
$82,470
2019–2027 Growth
+22.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Ontario (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $69,019 | Actual |
| 2020 | $70,170 | Actual |
| 2021 | $71,825 | Actual |
| 2022 | $73,692 | Actual |
| 2023 | $75,230 | Actual |
| 2024 | $90,301 | Actual |
| 2025 | $80,278 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82,470 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84,721 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ontario metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $69,019 (2019) to $80,278 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $84,721 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,702 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ontario 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) | $55,265 – $69,918 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $69,918 – $82,470 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $82,470 – $95,713 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $95,713 – $109,285 |
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 Ontario
Currently, there are 42 physical therapist assistants employed in Ontario, reflecting a moderate local job market for this profession. The cost of living index at 113.1 means that although salaries in Ontario are competitive, purchasing power may be impacted compared to the national average. Employers that tend to pay the highest wages often include outpatient orthopedic clinics and hospital inpatient rehabilitation centers. The compensation varies significantly based on the work setting — for instance, productivity expectations and supervision requirements are typically higher in outpatient settings than in skilled nursing facilities. Strategies for maximizing pay in Ontario could involve pursuing opportunities in higher-paying environments, such as hospitals, and seeking additional certifications that enhance value in specialty areas. Understanding the ongoing effects of the 15% Medicare cut introduced in 2022 is crucial, as it continues to compress earnings for PTAs in Medicare-reliant settings, emphasizing the importance of strategic career choices moving forward.
More salary data for Ontario, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Ontario, CA in 2026?
Is Ontario, CA a good place to work as a physical therapist assistant?
Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Ontario?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Ontario?
How much does a physical therapist assistant make per hour in Ontario?
Related Pages
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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 $80,278 for physical therapist assistantsin the Ontario 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 Ontario 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