Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Orange, CA: $83,143 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Orange, CA earns a median $83,143/year (≈ $39.97/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Orange's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $73,513 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Orange, California, physical therapist assistants can expect a median annual salary of $83,143 in 2026, notably higher than the national median of $70,247. This market offers a broad salary range, with incomes starting at $57,260 for those in the lower tenth percentile and reaching up to $109,092 for top earners. These estimates arise from BLS state-level data and consider local economic factors, which suggest that productivity expectations and visit frequency per day significantly influence compensation for PTAs. As demand for skilled rehabilitation continues to grow, the job market in Orange presents substantial opportunities for physical therapist assistants to enhance their earnings through effective practice.
About the Orange Market
Salary estimated from California average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $57,260 | $27.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $69,857 | $33.58 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $83,143 | $39.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $95,849 | $46.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $109,092 | $52.44 |
Median Salary Position
18.36% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Orange
In Orange, CA, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $51,832 (2026 est.). At $83,143, the local median is 18.36% above the national median of $70,247.
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At 40 hours/week in Orange: You'd be above the median
How Orange Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Orange median: $83,143/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Orange Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $84,410 | -1.50% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | +18.36% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Orange, CA earn a median of $83,143 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.36% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 1.50% below the California state average of $84,410.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Orange has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Orange, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $83,143 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $73,513 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$69,583
2025 BLS Actual
$80,934
2026 Current Est.
$83,143
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Orange (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $69,583 | Actual |
| 2020 | $70,743 | Actual |
| 2021 | $72,412 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,294 | Actual |
| 2023 | $75,845 | Actual |
| 2024 | $86,901 | Actual |
| 2025 | $80,934 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $83,143 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $85,413 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Orange metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $69,583 (2019) to $80,934 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $85,413 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,830 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Orange 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) | $57,260 – $69,857 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $69,857 – $83,143 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $83,143 – $95,849 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $95,849 – $109,092 |
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 Orange
As of 2026, there are about 21 physical therapist assistants employed in Orange, which indicates a specialized but robust job market. However, the cost of living index at 113.1 highlights the necessity for competitive pay to maintain purchasing power in the area. Facilities such as outpatient orthopedic clinics often provide some of the highest salaries, while skilled nursing facilities may offer lower compensation due to the recent 15% cut in Medicare Part B reimbursements. The contrast in pay is largely attributed to the work settings, productivity requirements, and supervision obligations that PTAs must adhere to. To maximize earnings, PTAs in Orange should consider pursuing employment in outpatient settings and acquiring additional certifications, while also strategically navigating their scheduling around weekends and PRN opportunities to boost hourly rates.
More salary data for Orange, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Orange, CA in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Orange?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Orange?
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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 $80,934 for physical therapist assistantsin the Orange 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 Orange 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