Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in San Mateo, CA: $85,298 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in San Mateo, CA earns a median $85,298/year (≈ $41.01/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in San Mateo's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $75,418 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physical therapist assistants in San Mateo, California, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $85,298, reflecting a significant difference compared to the national average of $70,247. The salary range for this role in San Mateo indicates considerable variability, with entry-level positions starting at approximately $55,351 and high-end salaries reaching up to $116,095. These figures derive from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for state-level costs and regional price disparities. As the demand for physical therapist assistants continues to grow, especially in areas such as outpatient facilities and skilled nursing, local compensation rates demonstrate the city’s robust healthcare dynamics, which support competitive wages relative to other regions.
About the San Mateo Market
Salary estimated from California average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $55,351 | $26.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $76,078 | $36.57 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $85,298 | $41.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $97,729 | $46.99 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $116,095 | $55.81 |
Median Salary Position
21.43% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Mateo
In San Mateo, CA, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $60,744 (2026 est.). At $85,298, the local median is 21.43% above the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in San Mateo: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How San Mateo Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
San Mateo median: $85,298/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Mateo Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $84,370 | +1.10% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | +21.43% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in San Mateo, CA earn a median of $85,298 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.43% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 1.10% above the California state average of $84,370.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Mateo has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Mateo, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $85,298 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $75,418 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$71,386
2025 BLS Actual
$83,031
2026 Current Est.
$85,298
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in San Mateo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $71,386 | Actual |
| 2020 | $72,576 | Actual |
| 2021 | $74,288 | Actual |
| 2022 | $76,219 | Actual |
| 2023 | $77,810 | Actual |
| 2024 | $89,154 | Actual |
| 2025 | $83,031 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,298 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87,626 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Mateo metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $71,386 (2019) to $83,031 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $87,626 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,240 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Mateo 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) | $55,351 – $76,078 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $76,078 – $85,298 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $85,298 – $97,729 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $97,729 – $116,095 |
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 San Mateo
Currently, there are 21 employed physical therapist assistants in San Mateo, contributing to a tight labor market and prompting an examination of the cost of living, which sits at an index of 113.1. This higher living cost suggests that potential PTA salaries should be weighed against affordable housing and everyday expenses. Outpatient orthopedic clinics typically offer some of the highest wages for professionals in the field, followed closely by hospital inpatient rehabilitation centers. The disparity in earnings often stems from various factors, including productivity expectations, weekend or PRN pay differentials, and the influence of supervision requirements set by Medicare regulations. With the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut imposed on PTA services in 2022 further complicating earnings potential, aspiring PTAs in San Mateo should strategically seek employment with institutions that prioritize PT supervision and work in multidisciplinary rehabilitation settings to maximize their income potential.
More salary data for San Mateo, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in San Mateo, CA in 2026?
Is San Mateo, CA a good place to work as a physical therapist assistant?
Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in San Mateo?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in San Mateo?
How much does a physical therapist assistant make per hour in San Mateo?
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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 $83,031 for physical therapist assistantsin the San Mateo 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 San Mateo 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