Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Santa Cruz, CA: $89,714 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Santa Cruz, CA earns a median $89,714/year (≈ $43.14/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Santa Cruz's price level (10% above national, BEA RPP 109.9), that paycheck buys what $81,635 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.3% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, physical therapist assistants in Santa Cruz, California, can expect a median annual salary of $89,714, significantly higher than the national median of $70,247. The salary range for this role spans from $65,686 at the 10th percentile to $115,684 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the varied landscape of opportunities available in the area. These figures are derived from the 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data, projected to offer insight for the upcoming year. Given that the local job market employs 60 physical therapist assistants, the profession is well-represented in Santa Cruz, which suggests strong demand and potential for growth.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $65,686 | $31.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $85,718 | $41.22 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $89,714 | $43.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $101,446 | $48.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $115,684 | $55.62 |
Median Salary Position
27.71% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Santa Cruz
In Santa Cruz, CA, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $49,998 (2026 est.). At $89,714, the local median is 27.71% above the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Santa Cruz: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Santa Cruz Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Santa Cruz median: $89,714/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Santa Cruz Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $84,397 | +6.30% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | +27.71% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Santa Cruz, CA earn a median of $89,714 per year (2026 est.), which is 27.71% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 6.30% above the California state average of $84,397.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Santa Cruz has a cost of living 9.90% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Santa Cruz, CA has a cost-of-living index of 109.896 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $89,714 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $81,635 — a 9.01% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$75,082
2025 BLS Actual
$87,330
2026 Current Est.
$89,714
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Santa Cruz (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $75,082 | Actual |
| 2020 | $76,334 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,900 | Actual |
| 2022 | $80,165 | Actual |
| 2023 | $80,040 | Actual |
| 2024 | $83,820 | Actual |
| 2025 | $87,330 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $89,714 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $92,163 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Santa Cruz metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $75,082 (2019) to $87,330 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $92,163 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,081 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Santa Cruz 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) | $65,686 – $85,718 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $85,718 – $89,714 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $89,714 – $101,446 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $101,446 – $115,684 |
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 Cruz
The cost of living in Santa Cruz, with an index of 109.896, poses challenges for budgeting despite a competitive physical therapist assistant pay structure. This higher cost can impact take-home pay, making it essential for prospective PTAs to consider employers that offer better compensation. Outpatient orthopedic clinics typically provide the highest pay, while skilled nursing facilities may face further constraints due to the 15% Medicare cut affecting PTA services. Factors such as workplace setting, productivity expectations, and the required supervision also drive the salary range. To maximize earnings in this market, PTAs should seek positions that provide additional compensation for weekend or PRN shifts, and consider transitioning to a DPT for long-term career and salary enhancement.
More salary data for Santa Cruz, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Santa Cruz, CA in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Santa Cruz?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Santa Cruz?
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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 $87,330 for physical therapist assistantsin the Santa Cruz 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, 4-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