Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Richmond, CA: $86,000 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Richmond, CA earns a median $86,000/year (≈ $41.35/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Richmond's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $76,039 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.9% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Richmond, California, physical therapist assistants (PTAs) can expect a median annual salary of $86,000 in 2026, marking a significant increase compared to the national median of $70,247 for that same year. These salaries fall within a range that spans from $56,659 at the lower tenth percentile to $113,150 at the upper ninetieth percentile. This data, derived from 2025 BLS estimates adjusted for regional economic conditions, reflects the evolving financial landscape for PTAs in the area as outpatient settings adapt post-Medicare cuts. The local job market has been influenced by shifts in reimbursement models, particularly with a greater emphasis on outpatient care, which impacts salary structures moving forward and affects how physical therapist assistants are compensated based on their work environment.
About the Richmond Market
Salary estimated from California average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $56,659 | $27.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $72,437 | $34.83 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $86,000 | $41.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $99,327 | $47.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $113,150 | $54.40 |
Median Salary Position
22.43% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Richmond
In Richmond, CA, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $56,491 (2026 est.). At $86,000, the local median is 22.43% above the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Richmond: You'd be above the median
How Richmond Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Richmond median: $86,000/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Richmond Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $84,397 | +1.90% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | +22.43% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Richmond, CA earn a median of $86,000 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.43% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 1.90% above the California state average of $84,397.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Richmond has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Richmond, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $86,000 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $76,039 — 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
$71,974
2025 BLS Actual
$83,715
2026 Current Est.
$86,000
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Richmond (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $71,974 | Actual |
| 2020 | $73,174 | Actual |
| 2021 | $74,900 | Actual |
| 2022 | $76,847 | Actual |
| 2023 | $78,451 | Actual |
| 2024 | $89,888 | Actual |
| 2025 | $83,715 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $86,000 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $88,348 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Richmond metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $71,974 (2019) to $83,715 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $88,348 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,374 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Richmond 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) | $56,659 – $72,437 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $72,437 – $86,000 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $86,000 – $99,327 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $99,327 – $113,150 |
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 Richmond
Currently, there are 25 physical therapist assistants employed in Richmond, CA, where the cost-of-living index stands at 113.1, indicating a higher living expense than the national average. This has direct implications for the purchasing power of PTAs in the region. Outpatient orthopedic clinics, including both chains and private practices, often offer the most competitive pay compared to other settings like skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), home health agencies, or hospitals. The disparity in earnings results from factors such as productivity expectations, weekend or PRN premiums, and the additional supervisory requirements for PTAs working under state laws and Medicare regulations. Given the 15% reimbursement cut to services provided by PTAs in many Medicare-dependent environments since 2022, those aiming for higher pay in Richmond should consider focusing on outpatient environments and pursuing additional certifications or education, such as a PTA-to-DPT pathway, to enhance their value and career prospects in this evolving landscape.
More salary data for Richmond, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Richmond, CA in 2026?
Is Richmond, CA a good place to work as a physical therapist assistant?
Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Richmond?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Richmond?
How much does a physical therapist assistant make per hour in Richmond?
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 $83,715 for physical therapist assistantsin the Richmond 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 Richmond 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