Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Santa Clarita, CA: $86,236 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Santa Clarita, CA earns a median $86,236/year (≈ $41.46/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Santa Clarita's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $76,248 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the physical therapist assistant salary in Santa Clarita is projected to reach a median of $86,236. This figure significantly surpasses the national median of $70,247, highlighting the local market's strength. Salaries in the region can range from $59,543 at the bottom percentile to as high as $119,490 for top earners, demonstrating a sizable gap based on experience, setting, and demand. These estimates derive from BLS state-level data, adjusted for local economic conditions, indicating a robust possibility for those entering this field. In Santa Clarita, factors such as seen patient visits per day will play a critical role in earnings potential, reflecting the need for efficiency and productivity.
About the Santa Clarita Market
Salary estimated from California average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $59,543 | $28.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $74,935 | $36.03 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $86,236 | $41.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $102,630 | $49.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $119,490 | $57.45 |
Median Salary Position
22.76% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Santa Clarita
In Santa Clarita, CA, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $59,947 (2026 est.). At $86,236, the local median is 22.76% above the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Santa Clarita: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Santa Clarita Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Santa Clarita median: $86,236/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Santa Clarita Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $84,379 | +2.20% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | +22.76% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Santa Clarita, CA earn a median of $86,236 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.76% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 2.20% above the California state average of $84,379.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Santa Clarita has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Santa Clarita, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $86,236 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $76,248 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$72,171
2025 BLS Actual
$83,944
2026 Current Est.
$86,236
2019–2027 Growth
+22.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Santa Clarita (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $72,171 | Actual |
| 2020 | $73,374 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,105 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,057 | Actual |
| 2023 | $78,665 | Actual |
| 2024 | $90,134 | Actual |
| 2025 | $83,944 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $86,236 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $88,590 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Santa Clarita metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $72,171 (2019) to $83,944 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $88,590 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,419 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Santa Clarita 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) | $59,543 – $74,935 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $74,935 – $86,236 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $86,236 – $102,630 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $102,630 – $119,490 |
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 Clarita
The job market in Santa Clarita features 41 physical therapist assistants, and the cost-of-living index sits at 113.1, indicating that living expenses are higher than the national average. This reality affects take-home pay, with professionals in higher-paying settings such as outpatient orthopedic clinics and hospital inpatient rehabilitation likely to fare better than those in skilled nursing facilities, which have felt the impact of a 15% Medicare cut on reimbursement rates. To maximize earning potential in Santa Clarita, it may be beneficial to seek positions in outpatient settings or consider additional certifications that enhance skill sets. Furthermore, understanding the variations in compensation—driven by work environment, weekend shifts, and supervisory responsibilities—can guide new entrants in choosing career paths that align with both their earnings goals and job satisfaction.
More salary data for Santa Clarita, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Santa Clarita, CA in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Santa Clarita?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Santa Clarita?
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Related Pages
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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 $83,944 for physical therapist assistantsin the Santa Clarita 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 Clarita 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