Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Union City, CA: $84,592 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Union City, CA earns a median $84,592/year (≈ $40.67/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Union City's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $74,794 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the median annual salary for physical therapist assistants in Union City, CA, is projected to reach $84,592, reflecting a notable premium of 20.42% compared to the national median of $70,247. Salaries in the region range from $57,669 at the 10th percentile to $106,623 at the 90th percentile. Based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, these figures incorporate state-level insights and regional price adjustments. The strong earning potential underscores the importance of productivity expectations in outpatient settings, where visits-per-day can significantly influence compensation. As the demand for physical therapy services continues to rise, Union City's job market for physical therapist assistants is positioned for steady growth.
About the Union City Market
Salary estimated from California average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $57,669 | $27.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $75,541 | $36.32 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $84,592 | $40.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $95,243 | $45.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $106,623 | $51.26 |
Median Salary Position
20.42% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Union City
In Union City, CA, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $48,954 (2026 est.). At $84,592, the local median is 20.42% above the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Union City: You'd be above the median
How Union City Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Union City median: $84,592/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Union City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $84,423 | +0.20% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | +20.42% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Union City, CA earn a median of $84,592 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.42% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 0.20% above the California state average of $84,423.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Union City has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Union City, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $84,592 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $74,794 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$70,796
2025 BLS Actual
$82,344
2026 Current Est.
$84,592
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Union City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $70,796 | Actual |
| 2020 | $71,976 | Actual |
| 2021 | $73,674 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,588 | Actual |
| 2023 | $77,166 | Actual |
| 2024 | $88,415 | Actual |
| 2025 | $82,344 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84,592 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86,901 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Union City metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $70,796 (2019) to $82,344 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $86,901 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,105 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Union City 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) | $57,669 – $75,541 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $75,541 – $84,592 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $84,592 – $95,243 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $95,243 – $106,623 |
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 Union City
Analyzing the local job market reveals that Union City currently employs 11 physical therapist assistants, highlighting a specialized niche for skilled professionals in the area. The cost-of-living index stands at 113.1, indicating that while salaries are competitive, the higher living expenses can impact take-home pay and purchasing power. Among local employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics tend to offer the most competitive salaries, while skilled nursing facilities may pay lower due to the 15% Medicare cut affecting reimbursement rates. Factors contributing to the salary spread include differences in productivity expectations, weekend and PRN premiums, and the required supervision from physical therapists. For those navigating this landscape, maximizing earning potential may require targeting high-paying outpatient roles and seeking opportunities for added reimbursement through specialized continuing education.
More salary data for Union City, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Union City?
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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 $82,344 for physical therapist assistantsin the Union City 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 Union City 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