Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Temecula, CA: $86,294 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Temecula, CA earns a median $86,294/year (≈ $41.49/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Temecula's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $76,299 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Physical therapist assistants in Temecula, California, can expect a median annual salary of $86,294 in 2026, a figure that notably exceeds the national median of $70,247 by 22.84%. This promising compensation reflects a salary range from $57,664 at the 10th percentile to $110,931 at the 90th percentile, highlighting the diverse landscape of opportunities within the field. These estimates, based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional economic conditions, provide an essential insight into the earnings potential for professionals operating in this growing market. Given the demand for skilled physical therapist assistants, driven by an aging population and increased focus on rehabilitation therapies, Temecula presents a compelling environment for career growth within the profession.
About the Temecula Market
Salary estimated from California average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $57,664 | $27.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $76,294 | $36.68 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $86,294 | $41.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $98,117 | $47.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $110,931 | $53.33 |
Median Salary Position
22.84% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Temecula
In Temecula, CA, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $53,267 (2026 est.). At $86,294, the local median is 22.84% above the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Temecula: You'd be above the median
How Temecula Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Temecula median: $86,294/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Temecula Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $84,437 | +2.20% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | +22.84% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Temecula, CA earn a median of $86,294 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.84% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 2.20% above the California state average of $84,437.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Temecula has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Temecula, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $86,294 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $76,299 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$72,220
2025 BLS Actual
$84,001
2026 Current Est.
$86,294
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Temecula (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $72,220 | Actual |
| 2020 | $73,424 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,156 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,109 | Actual |
| 2023 | $78,719 | Actual |
| 2024 | $90,194 | Actual |
| 2025 | $84,001 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $86,294 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $88,650 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Temecula metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $72,220 (2019) to $84,001 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $88,650 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,430 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Temecula 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) | $57,664 – $76,294 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $76,294 – $86,294 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $86,294 – $98,117 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $98,117 – $110,931 |
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 Temecula
Analyzing the local job market reveals a competitive landscape for the 25 physical therapist assistants employed in the area. The cost of living index in Temecula stands at 113.1, suggesting that while salaries are stronger than average, the purchasing power may be impacted compared to other regions. Outpatient orthopedic clinics are often among the highest-paying employers, followed by skilled nursing facilities and hospital outpatient settings. Factors contributing to the wide salary spread include the setting, where hospital roles typically pay more than outpatient ones, alongside productivity expectations, weekend work incentives, and supervision requirements. Furthermore, the influence of the Medicare 15% cut on reimbursement for services can further compress pay in Medicare-reliant settings. PTAs seeking to maximize their earnings in Temecula should consider gaining experience in outpatient orthopedics, pursuing advanced certifications, and possibly exploring PTA-to-DPT bridge programs to enhance their career progression.
More salary data for Temecula, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Temecula?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Temecula?
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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 $84,001 for physical therapist assistantsin the Temecula 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 Temecula 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