Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Poway, CA: $83,073 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Poway, CA earns a median $83,073/year (≈ $39.94/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Poway's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $73,451 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Poway, California, the earning potential for a physical therapist assistant is quite promising, with a projected median annual salary of $83,073 in 2026. Salary ranges significantly vary, from an entry-level pay of $58,702 (P10) to a high-end of $101,941 (P90). These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for the regional cost of living, emphasize the influence of productivity expectations, which can determine effective compensation, particularly in environments that prioritize visits-per-day. The job market in Poway suggests a healthy demand for physical therapist assistants, making it an attractive area for those entering or advancing in this field.
About the Poway Market
Salary estimated from California average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $58,702 | $28.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $75,558 | $36.33 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $83,073 | $39.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $92,346 | $44.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $101,941 | $49.01 |
Median Salary Position
18.26% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Poway
In Poway, CA, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $43,239 (2026 est.). At $83,073, the local median is 18.26% above the national median of $70,247.
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At 40 hours/week in Poway: You'd be above the median
How Poway Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Poway median: $83,073/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Poway Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $84,423 | -1.60% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | +18.26% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Poway, CA earn a median of $83,073 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.26% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 1.60% below the California state average of $84,423.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Poway has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Poway, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $83,073 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $73,451 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$69,524
2025 BLS Actual
$80,865
2026 Current Est.
$83,073
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Poway (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $69,524 | Actual |
| 2020 | $70,683 | Actual |
| 2021 | $72,350 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,231 | Actual |
| 2023 | $75,780 | Actual |
| 2024 | $86,828 | Actual |
| 2025 | $80,865 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $83,073 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $85,340 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Poway metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $69,524 (2019) to $80,865 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $85,340 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,816 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Poway 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) | $58,702 – $75,558 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $75,558 – $83,073 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $83,073 – $92,346 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $92,346 – $101,941 |
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 Poway
The local job market comprises eight physical therapist assistants, highlighting both a niche workforce and a competitive environment. With a cost-of-living index of 113.1, it’s clear that take-home pay must effectively contend with higher expenses. Among local employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics and skilled nursing facilities often provide the highest pay, while factors like setting type, weekend shifts, and even supervisory roles contribute to pay variability. Specific challenges, such as the 15% cut in Medicare reimbursement rates for PTA services, have especially affected SNF and outpatient settings, pressing PTAs to enhance productivity. For aspiring professionals in Poway, targeting outpatient clinics or pursuing advanced certifications could help maximize salary potential while navigating this evolving market landscape.
More salary data for Poway, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Poway?
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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 $80,865 for physical therapist assistantsin the Poway 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 Poway 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