Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Palmdale, CA: $83,866 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Palmdale, CA earns a median $83,866/year (≈ $40.32/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Palmdale's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $74,152 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physical therapist assistants in Palmdale, California, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $83,866, representing a significant 19.39% increase over the national median of $70,247. This local salary figure reflects a range that spans from $58,789 at the 10th percentile to $114,392 at the 90th percentile, suggesting a diverse job market. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost factors, highlight the structural divide in employment settings following Medicare cuts. The outpatient clinics have become more competitive compared to skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), altering the earnings landscape for physical therapist assistants in this area.
About the Palmdale Market
Salary estimated from California average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $58,789 | $28.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $73,126 | $35.15 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $83,866 | $40.32 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $99,463 | $47.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $114,392 | $54.99 |
Median Salary Position
19.39% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Palmdale
In Palmdale, CA, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $55,603 (2026 est.). At $83,866, the local median is 19.39% above the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Palmdale: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Palmdale Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Palmdale median: $83,866/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Palmdale Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $84,372 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | +19.39% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Palmdale, CA earn a median of $83,866 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.39% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 0.60% below the California state average of $84,372.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Palmdale has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Palmdale, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $83,866 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $74,152 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$70,188
2025 BLS Actual
$81,637
2026 Current Est.
$83,866
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Palmdale (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $70,188 | Actual |
| 2020 | $71,358 | Actual |
| 2021 | $73,041 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,939 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,503 | Actual |
| 2024 | $87,657 | Actual |
| 2025 | $81,637 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $83,866 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86,155 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Palmdale metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $70,188 (2019) to $81,637 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $86,155 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,967 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Palmdale 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) | $58,789 – $73,126 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $73,126 – $83,866 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $83,866 – $99,463 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $99,463 – $114,392 |
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 Palmdale
Currently, there are 29 physical therapist assistants employed in Palmdale, a figure that illustrates the sector's stability in this locality. In light of the cost of living index at 113.1, which is above the national average, take-home pay can be somewhat impacted, making job selection crucial for maximizing earnings. Outpatient orthopedic clinics tend to provide the highest compensation among local employers, particularly given the need for enhanced productivity following Medicare's 15% reimbursement cut for certain services. Those working in hospital settings may also see better overall compensation compared to those in outpatient or SNF roles. As such, physical therapist assistants looking to optimize their income should consider opportunities that demand higher productivity, focus on weekend or PRN shifts, and potentially pursue supervisory roles or specialized training to elevate their worth in Palmdale's market.
More salary data for Palmdale, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Palmdale, CA in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Palmdale?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Palmdale?
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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 $81,637 for physical therapist assistantsin the Palmdale 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 Palmdale 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