Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Santa Maria, CA: $87,475 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Santa Maria, CA earns a median $87,475/year (≈ $42.06/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Santa Maria's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.8), that paycheck buys what $80,401 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.6% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, physical therapist assistants in Santa Maria, California, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $87,475, significantly higher than the national median of $70,247. The projected salary range for this occupation in the area spans from $65,788 at the 10th percentile to $105,247 at the 90th percentile. This data, derived from the 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and projected to 2026, highlights the earning potential for those looking to bridge from an associate's degree as a PTA to a doctoral degree in physical therapy (DPT). Such advancements not only enhance professional opportunities but can also lead to substantial increases in lifetime earning potential within Santa Maria's competitive healthcare market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $65,788 | $31.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $77,130 | $37.09 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $87,475 | $42.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $97,501 | $46.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $105,247 | $50.60 |
Median Salary Position
24.52% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Santa Maria
In Santa Maria, CA, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $39,459 (2026 est.). At $87,475, the local median is 24.52% above the national median of $70,247.
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At 40 hours/week in Santa Maria: You'd be above the median
How Santa Maria Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Santa Maria median: $87,475/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Santa Maria Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $84,435 | +3.60% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | +24.52% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Santa Maria, CA earn a median of $87,475 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.52% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 3.60% above the California state average of $84,435.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Santa Maria has a cost of living 8.80% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Santa Maria, CA has a cost-of-living index of 108.798 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $87,475 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $80,401 — a 8.09% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$69,090
2025 BLS Actual
$85,150
2026 Current Est.
$87,475
2019–2027 Growth
+30.1%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Santa Maria (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $69,090 | Actual |
| 2020 | $67,120 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,050 | Actual |
| 2022 | $79,530 | Actual |
| 2023 | $81,470 | Actual |
| 2024 | $82,430 | Actual |
| 2025 | $85,150 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $87,475 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $89,863 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Santa Maria metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 23.2% from $69,090 (2019) to $85,150 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $89,863 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,773 (30.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Santa Maria 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) | $65,788 – $77,130 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $77,130 – $87,475 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $87,475 – $97,501 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $97,501 – $105,247 |
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 Maria
With around 100 physical therapist assistants currently employed in Santa Maria, the local job market offers a steady environment for growth, but prospects must be balanced against a cost-of-living index of 108.798, which is slightly above the national average. This cost reality can affect take-home pay and purchasing power. Among local employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics typically offer higher compensation compared to skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies, particularly in light of the Medicare 15% cut that has compressed reimbursement rates, especially for PTA-driven services. Factors that create variability in pay include the work setting—hospital roles tend to pay more, followed by outpatient clinics—and additional considerations like productivity expectations and weekend work premiums. To maximize pay in Santa Maria, strategic choices are to pursue roles in higher-paying settings, seek additional certifications, or consider transitioning into supervisory roles as a PTA or DPT.
More salary data for Santa Maria, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Santa Maria?
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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 $85,150 for physical therapist assistantsin the Santa Maria 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, 7-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