Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Tustin, CA: $84,318 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Tustin, CA earns a median $84,318/year (≈ $40.54/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Tustin's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $74,552 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the physical therapist assistant salary in Tustin, CA is projected to reach a median annual income of $84,318, significantly higher than the national median of $70,247. The salary range for these professionals spans from $56,694 at the 10th percentile to $108,801 at the 90th percentile, highlighting a diverse market that adjusts for skill and experience. This disparity can largely be attributed to the structural divide in care settings—particularly the shift in outpatient practices versus skilled nursing facilities (SNFs)—following recent Medicare cuts, which have reshaped compensation dynamics. These figures are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for California’s regional price parities, reflecting Tustin's unique economic context.
About the Tustin Market
Salary estimated from California average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $56,694 | $27.25 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $71,751 | $34.50 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $84,318 | $40.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $96,448 | $46.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $108,801 | $52.31 |
Median Salary Position
20.03% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tustin
In Tustin, CA, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $52,107 (2026 est.). At $84,318, the local median is 20.03% above the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Tustin: You'd be above the median
How Tustin Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Tustin median: $84,318/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tustin Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $84,402 | -0.10% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | +20.03% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Tustin, CA earn a median of $84,318 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.03% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 0.10% below the California state average of $84,402.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tustin has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Tustin, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $84,318 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $74,552 — a 11.58% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$70,566
2025 BLS Actual
$82,077
2026 Current Est.
$84,318
2019–2027 Growth
+22.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Tustin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $70,566 | Actual |
| 2020 | $71,742 | Actual |
| 2021 | $73,435 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,343 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,916 | Actual |
| 2024 | $88,129 | Actual |
| 2025 | $82,077 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84,318 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86,620 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tustin metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $70,566 (2019) to $82,077 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $86,620 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,054 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tustin 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) | $56,694 – $71,751 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $71,751 – $84,318 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $84,318 – $96,448 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $96,448 – $108,801 |
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 Tustin
With 18 physical therapist assistants currently employed in Tustin, the job market remains stable despite the industry challenges posed by the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut, which has impacted pay in Medicare-reliant environments. The area’s cost-of-living index sits at 113.1, indicating that while salaries are relatively competitive, the higher living expenses in Tustin can affect take-home purchasing power. Outpatient orthopedic clinics typically offer higher wages than skilled nursing facilities, while home health agencies and pediatric clinics hold positions that can also lead to competitive pay. Success in maximizing earnings may involve seeking employment in these lucrative settings, accepting roles with weekend or PRN premium pay, and considering the supervision requirements associated with different work environments. Understanding these dynamics can greatly influence how much do physical therapist assistants make in Tustin, guiding new graduates and current PTAs toward strategic career decisions.
More salary data for Tustin, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Tustin, CA in 2026?
Is Tustin, CA a good place to work as a physical therapist assistant?
Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Tustin?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Tustin?
How much does a physical therapist assistant make per hour in Tustin?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in California
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 $82,077 for physical therapist assistantsin the Tustin 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 Tustin 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