Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Vacaville, CA: $84,227 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Vacaville, CA earns a median $84,227/year (≈ $40.50/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Vacaville's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $74,471 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the physical therapist assistant salary in Vacaville is projected to reach a median of $84,227, significantly higher than the national median of $70,247, reflecting a local market that has adapted post-Medicare cuts. The salary range for PTAs in this region extends from $59,687 at the 10th percentile to $115,834 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost variations, indicate a robust compensation environment that could be appealing to new and seasoned professionals alike. The healthcare landscape has transitioned towards outpatient settings due to reductions in Medicare reimbursements, leading to shifts in job structure and expectations among employers across Vacaville.
About the Vacaville Market
Salary estimated from California average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $59,687 | $28.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $73,866 | $35.51 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $84,227 | $40.50 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $100,259 | $48.20 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $115,834 | $55.69 |
Median Salary Position
19.90% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Vacaville
In Vacaville, CA, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $56,147 (2026 est.). At $84,227, the local median is 19.9% above the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Vacaville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Vacaville Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Vacaville median: $84,227/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Vacaville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $84,396 | -0.20% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | +19.90% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Vacaville, CA earn a median of $84,227 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.90% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 0.20% below the California state average of $84,396.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Vacaville has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Vacaville, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $84,227 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $74,471 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$70,490
2025 BLS Actual
$81,989
2026 Current Est.
$84,227
2019–2027 Growth
+22.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Vacaville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $70,490 | Actual |
| 2020 | $71,665 | Actual |
| 2021 | $73,356 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,262 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,833 | Actual |
| 2024 | $88,035 | Actual |
| 2025 | $81,989 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84,227 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86,527 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Vacaville metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $70,490 (2019) to $81,989 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $86,527 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,037 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Vacaville 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) | $59,687 – $73,866 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $73,866 – $84,227 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $84,227 – $100,259 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $100,259 – $115,834 |
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 Vacaville
With 15 physical therapist assistants currently employed in Vacaville, the local job market is niche yet distinct. The region's cost of living index stands at 113.1, which could affect take-home pay and purchasing power despite the competitive salaries. Employers that typically offer higher pay include outpatient orthopedic clinics and hospital inpatient rehab settings, as these environments often have more robust funding and demand for services. The disparity in wages can largely be attributed to differences in job settings, productivity expectations, and the need for supervision under Medicare guidelines following the 15% reimbursement cut. For those seeking to maximize their earnings in Vacaville, targeting outpatient clinics or considering work in weekends and PRN roles can be effective strategies to enhance overall pay in this evolving landscape.
More salary data for Vacaville, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Vacaville, CA in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Vacaville?
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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 $81,989 for physical therapist assistantsin the Vacaville 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 Vacaville 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