Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Santa Ana, CA: $89,427 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Santa Ana, CA earns a median $89,427/year (≈ $42.99/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Santa Ana's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $79,069 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.0% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Santa Ana, California, the earning potential for physical therapist assistants is substantial, with a projected median annual salary of $89,427 for 2026. This amount is notably higher than the national median of $70,247, reflecting a premium that local professionals earn in light of California's cost of living and demand for healthcare services. The salary range for PTAs here spans from $57,528 at the 10th percentile to $120,923 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local economic factors, indicate a strong market for this profession as more individuals seek rehabilitation and physical therapy services throughout the Santa Ana area.
About the Santa Ana Market
Salary estimated from California average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $57,528 | $27.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $74,266 | $35.71 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $89,427 | $42.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $104,889 | $50.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $120,923 | $58.13 |
Median Salary Position
27.30% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Santa Ana
In Santa Ana, CA, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $63,395 (2026 est.). At $89,427, the local median is 27.3% above the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Santa Ana: You'd be above the median
How Santa Ana Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Santa Ana median: $89,427/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Santa Ana Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $84,366 | +6.00% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | +27.30% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Santa Ana, CA earn a median of $89,427 per year (2026 est.), which is 27.30% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 6.00% above the California state average of $84,366.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Santa Ana has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Santa Ana, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $89,427 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $79,069 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$74,842
2025 BLS Actual
$87,051
2026 Current Est.
$89,427
2019–2027 Growth
+22.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Santa Ana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $74,842 | Actual |
| 2020 | $76,090 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,885 | Actual |
| 2022 | $79,909 | Actual |
| 2023 | $81,577 | Actual |
| 2024 | $93,470 | Actual |
| 2025 | $87,051 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $89,427 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $91,869 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Santa Ana metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $74,842 (2019) to $87,051 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $91,869 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,027 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Santa Ana 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) | $57,528 – $74,266 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $74,266 – $89,427 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $89,427 – $104,889 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $104,889 – $120,923 |
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 Santa Ana
With 69 physical therapist assistants currently employed in Santa Ana, the local job market shows promise despite the higher cost of living index, which stands at 113.1. This index illustrates that take-home pay may be affected by living expenses, necessitating careful consideration when weighing job offers. Employers in outpatient orthopedic clinics generally offer the highest salaries, outperforming skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies, which frequently face challenges due to productivity expectations and the recent 15% cut in Medicare reimbursements for PTA services. To maximize physical therapist assistant pay in Santa Ana, professionals should consider working in high-demand settings, exploring opportunities for overtime or weekend shifts, and considering higher-level education opportunities, such as the PTA-to-DPT bridge, which can significantly enhance lifetime earning potential in this dynamic field.
More salary data for Santa Ana, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $87,051 for physical therapist assistantsin the Santa Ana 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 Santa Ana 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