Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Riverside, CA: $81,372 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Riverside, CA earns a median $81,372/year (≈ $39.12/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Riverside's price level (6% above national, BEA RPP 106.4), that paycheck buys what $76,447 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.6% below the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Physical therapist assistants in Riverside, California, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $81,372 in 2026, which is notably higher than the national median of $70,247—a difference of 15.84%. The salary range for this role stretches from $63,795 at the 10th percentile to $101,343 at the 90th percentile. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and anticipated for 2026, reflects a competitive job market that places a premium on productivity, particularly in settings where visit volume is a key metric of success. As the demand for outpatient therapy services continues to rise, the earnings potential for physical therapist assistants in Riverside remains robust.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $63,795 | $30.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $76,164 | $36.61 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $81,372 | $39.12 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $87,218 | $41.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $101,343 | $48.72 |
Median Salary Position
15.84% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Riverside
In Riverside, CA, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $37,548 (2026 est.). At $81,372, the local median is 15.84% above the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Riverside: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Riverside Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Riverside median: $81,372/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Riverside Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $84,411 | -3.60% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | +15.84% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Riverside, CA earn a median of $81,372 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.84% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 3.60% below the California state average of $84,411.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Riverside has a cost of living 6.44% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Riverside, CA has a cost-of-living index of 106.442 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $81,372 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $76,447 — a 6.05% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$72,880
2025 BLS Actual
$79,210
2026 Current Est.
$81,372
2019–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Riverside (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $72,880 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,480 | Actual |
| 2021 | $74,510 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,090 | Actual |
| 2023 | $80,240 | Actual |
| 2024 | $79,320 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,210 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,372 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83,594 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Riverside metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 8.7% from $72,880 (2019) to $79,210 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $83,594 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,714 (14.70%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Riverside 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) | $63,795 – $76,164 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $76,164 – $81,372 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $81,372 – $87,218 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $87,218 – $101,343 |
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 Riverside
The local job market comprises approximately 860 physical therapist assistants, highlighting noteworthy employment opportunities in Riverside. However, the cost of living, indicated by a CoL index of 106.442, means that take-home purchasing power may be affected, requiring careful financial planning. Among local employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics generally offer the highest pay, followed closely by skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies. Factors contributing to the salary spread include workplace setting, productivity expectations, and additional compensation for working weekends or providing PRN coverage. Furthermore, the Medicare reimbursement cuts imposed in 2022 continue to impact compensation, especially in service areas reliant on Medicare clients. To maximize their pay, physical therapist assistants in Riverside may consider pursuing advanced PTA-to-DPT bridge options or seeking positions in higher-paying facilities.
More salary data for Riverside, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Riverside, CA in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Riverside?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Riverside?
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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 $79,210 for physical therapist assistantsin the Riverside 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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