Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Rancho Cucamonga, CA: $85,558 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Rancho Cucamonga, CA earns a median $85,558/year (≈ $41.13/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Rancho Cucamonga's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $75,648 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physical therapist assistants in Rancho Cucamonga, California, are projected to earn an annual median salary of $85,558, significantly outpacing the national median of $70,247 by 21.80%. The salary range within this market spans from $55,927 at the 10th percentile to $111,436 at the 90th percentile. These figures, based on 2025 BLS data, reflect local cost adjustments and conditions in a city where demand for therapy services continues to grow. The effective delivery of care, typically gauged by productivity and patient visits per day, greatly influences compensation levels, shaping the overall financial landscape for professionals in this field.
About the Rancho Cucamonga Market
Salary estimated from California average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $55,927 | $26.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $76,619 | $36.84 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $85,558 | $41.13 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $98,342 | $47.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $111,436 | $53.57 |
Median Salary Position
21.80% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rancho Cucamonga
In Rancho Cucamonga, CA, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $55,509 (2026 est.). At $85,558, the local median is 21.8% above the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rancho Cucamonga: You'd be above the median
How Rancho Cucamonga Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Rancho Cucamonga median: $85,558/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rancho Cucamonga Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $84,376 | +1.40% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | +21.80% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Rancho Cucamonga, CA earn a median of $85,558 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.80% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 1.40% above the California state average of $84,376.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rancho Cucamonga has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Rancho Cucamonga, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $85,558 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $75,648 — a 11.58% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$71,604
2025 BLS Actual
$83,284
2026 Current Est.
$85,558
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Rancho Cucamonga (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $71,604 | Actual |
| 2020 | $72,797 | Actual |
| 2021 | $74,515 | Actual |
| 2022 | $76,451 | Actual |
| 2023 | $78,047 | Actual |
| 2024 | $89,425 | Actual |
| 2025 | $83,284 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,558 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87,893 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rancho Cucamonga metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $71,604 (2019) to $83,284 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $87,893 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,289 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rancho Cucamonga 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) | $55,927 – $76,619 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $76,619 – $85,558 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $85,558 – $98,342 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $98,342 – $111,436 |
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 Rancho Cucamonga
With 46 physical therapist assistants currently employed in Rancho Cucamonga, the local job market remains robust, though the cost of living index stands at 113.1, indicative of a premium on basic expenses. This elevated cost of living directly impacts take-home purchasing power. Among local employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics typically offer higher salaries compared to skilled nursing facility rehab and home health agencies. The disparity in pay reflects not just the clinical settings but also productivity expectations, with weekend work and PRN shifts often commanding a premium. Additionally, the ongoing 15% Medicare cut to PTA-reimbursed services has created pressure on wages in settings reliant on Medicare, particularly skilled nursing and outpatient environments. To maximize potential earnings, aspiring and current physical therapist assistants should consider focusing on high-demand specialties, pursuing advanced certifications, and seeking roles in outpatient clinics where compensation tends to be more favorable.
More salary data for Rancho Cucamonga, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Rancho Cucamonga, CA in 2026?
Is Rancho Cucamonga, CA a good place to work as a physical therapist assistant?
Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Rancho Cucamonga?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Rancho Cucamonga?
How much does a physical therapist assistant make per hour in Rancho Cucamonga?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in California
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 $83,284 for physical therapist assistantsin the Rancho Cucamonga 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 Rancho Cucamonga 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