Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Santa Rosa, CA: $89,683 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Santa Rosa, CA earns a median $89,683/year (≈ $43.12/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Santa Rosa's price level (8% above national, BEA RPP 107.8), that paycheck buys what $83,206 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.3% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Santa Rosa, California, physical therapist assistants can expect a robust median annual salary of $89,683 in 2026, significantly higher than the national average of $70,247, representing a 27.67% premium. The salary range for this occupation is quite broad, spanning from $67,206 at the lower end (P10) to $112,253 at the upper end (P90). This data is derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys and reflects the competitive pay landscape that those in this profession can achieve, particularly for those considering the PTA-to-DPT bridge pathway that can enhance long-term earning potential. With a projected 2.73% annual growth rate, opportunities for physical therapist assistants in Santa Rosa remain promising, underscoring the city's strong demand for skilled professionals in rehabilitation settings.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $67,206 | $32.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $77,274 | $37.15 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $89,683 | $43.12 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $104,898 | $50.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $112,253 | $53.97 |
Median Salary Position
27.67% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Santa Rosa
In Santa Rosa, CA, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $45,047 (2026 est.). At $89,683, the local median is 27.67% above the national median of $70,247.
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At 40 hours/week in Santa Rosa: You'd be above the median
How Santa Rosa Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Santa Rosa median: $89,683/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Santa Rosa Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $84,368 | +6.30% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | +27.67% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Santa Rosa, CA earn a median of $89,683 per year (2026 est.), which is 27.67% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 6.30% above the California state average of $84,368.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Santa Rosa has a cost of living 7.78% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Santa Rosa, CA has a cost-of-living index of 107.784 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $89,683 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $83,206 — a 7.22% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$74,190
2025 BLS Actual
$87,300
2026 Current Est.
$89,683
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Santa Rosa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $74,190 | Actual |
| 2020 | $77,150 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,220 | Actual |
| 2022 | $81,300 | Actual |
| 2023 | $91,930 | Actual |
| 2024 | $90,000 | Actual |
| 2025 | $87,300 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $89,683 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $92,132 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Santa Rosa metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 17.7% from $74,190 (2019) to $87,300 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $92,132 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,942 (24.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Santa Rosa 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) | $67,206 – $77,274 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $77,274 – $89,683 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $89,683 – $104,898 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $104,898 – $112,253 |
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 Rosa
In terms of the local job market, Santa Rosa employs approximately 90 physical therapist assistants, facilitating a steady flow of employment opportunities. However, the cost of living presents distinct challenges, with an index of 107.784, indicating that living in this region is above the national average. Employers who tend to pay the highest salaries include outpatient orthopedic clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and hospital inpatient rehabilitation. The variation in pay often stems from factors such as setting productivity expectations, weekend and PRN premiums, and supervision needs dictated by state law and Medicare regulations. Furthermore, the impact of the 15% Medicare cut on PTA-provided services, particularly in service settings reliant on Medicare reimbursements, can compress earnings in skilled nursing and outpatient environments. To maximize earning potential in Santa Rosa, PTAs should pursue advanced education opportunities, consider settings that offer higher pay, and seek roles that may afford higher productivity incentives.
More salary data for Santa Rosa, 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 $87,300 for physical therapist assistantsin the Santa Rosa 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