Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Stockton, CA: $83,530 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Stockton, CA earns a median $83,530/year (≈ $40.16/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Stockton's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.1), that paycheck buys what $79,485 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.0% below the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the projected median physical therapist assistant salary in Stockton, California, is estimated to be $83,530, significantly exceeding the national median of $70,247 for that year. This midpoint salary reflects a range between $63,929 and $105,925, indicating a diverse landscape of pay that accounts for various factors such as experience and setting. As physical therapist assistants consider the financial benefits of transitioning to a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), the improved earning potential over their careers becomes evident, especially given the strong job market in Stockton. This salary information is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, illustrating not only the growth of the profession but also its value in a region increasingly in need of rehabilitative services.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $63,929 | $30.74 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $76,791 | $36.92 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $83,530 | $40.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $92,262 | $44.36 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $105,925 | $50.92 |
Median Salary Position
18.91% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Stockton
In Stockton, CA, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $41,996 (2026 est.). At $83,530, the local median is 18.91% above the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Stockton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Stockton Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Stockton median: $83,530/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Stockton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $84,373 | -1.00% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | +18.91% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Stockton, CA earn a median of $83,530 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.91% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 1.00% below the California state average of $84,373.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Stockton has a cost of living 5.09% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Stockton, CA has a cost-of-living index of 105.089 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $83,530 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $79,485 — a 4.84% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$60,070
2025 BLS Actual
$81,310
2026 Current Est.
$83,530
2019–2027 Growth
+42.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Stockton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60,070 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,780 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,610 | Actual |
| 2022 | $78,020 | Actual |
| 2023 | $82,720 | Actual |
| 2024 | $81,420 | Actual |
| 2025 | $81,310 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $83,530 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $85,810 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Stockton metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 35.4% from $60,070 (2019) to $81,310 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $85,810 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,740 (42.85%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Stockton 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) | $63,929 – $76,791 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $76,791 – $83,530 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $83,530 – $92,262 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $92,262 – $105,925 |
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 Stockton
In Stockton, approximately 160 physical therapist assistants are employed, contributing to a robust local job market. The cost of living index stands at 105.089, which indicates it is slightly above the national average, affecting the take-home purchasing power for PTAs in the area. Employers that typically offer higher wages include outpatient orthopedic clinics and hospital inpatient rehabilitation facilities, often influenced by their patient populations and resource availability. The disparity in salaries can be attributed to factors like the setting of employment, productivity demands, and the impact of Medicare’s 15% reimbursement cut on SNFs and outpatient settings since 2022. To maximize earnings in this competitive space, physical therapist assistants should consider specializing or seeking roles in high-demand environments, such as home health agencies, where the combination of flexible hours and specialty care may present greater pay opportunities.
More salary data for Stockton, 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 $81,310 for physical therapist assistantsin the Stockton 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