Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Salinas, CA: $87,166 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Salinas, CA earns a median $87,166/year (≈ $41.91/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Salinas's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 109.0), that paycheck buys what $79,938 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With a 2026 median annual salary of $87,166, physical therapist assistants in Salinas, California, enjoy a competitive pay scale that surpasses the national average by over 24%. The salary range for this profession extends from $66,096 at the 10th percentile to $104,620 at the 90th percentile, offering ample opportunities for career growth and increased earning potential. These figures are part of the projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, reflecting a strong local job market that supports approximately 70 physical therapist assistants. As professionals consider their career development in Salinas, the potential for bridging to a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree can significantly enhance lifetime earnings, indicating the importance of continuing education within this field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $66,096 | $31.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $77,191 | $37.11 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $87,166 | $41.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $101,127 | $48.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $104,620 | $50.30 |
Median Salary Position
24.09% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Salinas
In Salinas, CA, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $38,524 (2026 est.). At $87,166, the local median is 24.09% above the national median of $70,247.
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At 40 hours/week in Salinas: You'd be above the median
How Salinas Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Salinas median: $87,166/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Salinas Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $84,382 | +3.30% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | +24.09% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Salinas, CA earn a median of $87,166 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.09% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 3.30% above the California state average of $84,382.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Salinas has a cost of living 9.04% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Salinas, CA has a cost-of-living index of 109.042 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $87,166 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $79,938 — a 8.29% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$69,790
2025 BLS Actual
$84,850
2026 Current Est.
$87,166
2019–2027 Growth
+28.3%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Salinas (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $69,790 | Actual |
| 2020 | $76,320 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,740 | Actual |
| 2022 | $78,360 | Actual |
| 2023 | $79,514 | Actual |
| 2024 | $84,210 | Actual |
| 2025 | $84,850 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $87,166 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $89,546 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Salinas metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 21.6% from $69,790 (2019) to $84,850 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $89,546 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,756 (28.31%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Salinas 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) | $66,096 – $77,191 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $77,191 – $87,166 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $87,166 – $101,127 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $101,127 – $104,620 |
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 Salinas
In assessing the physical therapist assistant pay in Salinas CA, it’s crucial to consider the local cost of living, indexed at 109.042, which impacts take-home purchasing power. The best-paying settings for PTAs typically include outpatient orthopedic clinics and hospital inpatient rehab, where compensation can be maximized. Factors influencing the wide salary range include work setting variations, with hospitals providing higher pay than outpatient facilities, and how cases are managed, especially after the 15% cut in Medicare reimbursed services. For those looking to maximize their compensation, focusing on high-demand specialties, pursuing further certifications, or pushing for roles in management or supervision can create pathways to increased pay.
More salary data for Salinas, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Salinas, CA in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Salinas?
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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 $84,850 for physical therapist assistantsin the Salinas 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, 6-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