Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Visalia, CA: $81,609 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Visalia, CA earns a median $81,609/year (≈ $39.23/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Visalia's price level (0% above national, BEA RPP 99.8), that paycheck buys what $81,752 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% below the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Visalia, California, the projected median annual salary for physical therapist assistants (PTAs) is $81,609, which reflects a notable increase compared to the national median of $70,247. This figure is derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys and represents a growing sector of the healthcare industry, particularly following the changes in Medicare reimbursement structures that have affected the outpatient and skilled nursing facility (SNF) sectors. The salary range for PTAs in this region spans from $62,665 at the 10th percentile to $97,707 at the 90th percentile, highlighting significant potential for earnings based on experience, specialization, and type of employment. Visalia's job market for physical therapist assistants is evolving in response to the 15% cuts to Medicare Part B, leading to shifts in compensation structures within facilities that are heavily reliant on Medicare clients.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $62,665 | $30.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $78,773 | $37.88 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $81,609 | $39.23 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $86,499 | $41.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $97,707 | $46.98 |
Median Salary Position
16.17% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Visalia
In Visalia, CA, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $35,042 (2026 est.). At $81,609, the local median is 16.17% above the national median of $70,247.
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At 40 hours/week in Visalia: You'd be above the median
How Visalia Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Visalia median: $81,609/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Visalia Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $84,394 | -3.30% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | +16.17% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Visalia, CA earn a median of $81,609 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.17% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 3.30% below the California state average of $84,394.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Visalia has a cost of living 0.17% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Visalia, CA has a cost-of-living index of 99.825 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $81,609 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $81,752 in an average-cost city — an effective 0.18% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$62,290
2025 BLS Actual
$79,440
2026 Current Est.
$81,609
2019–2027 Growth
+34.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Visalia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,290 | Actual |
| 2020 | $79,610 | Actual |
| 2021 | $73,780 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,330 | Actual |
| 2023 | $83,250 | Actual |
| 2024 | $79,850 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,440 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,609 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83,837 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Visalia metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 27.5% from $62,290 (2019) to $79,440 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $83,837 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,547 (34.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Visalia 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) | $62,665 – $78,773 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $78,773 – $81,609 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $81,609 – $86,499 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $86,499 – $97,707 |
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 Visalia
With approximately 100 physical therapist assistants employed in Visalia, the local job market demonstrates moderate strength, particularly given the cost of living index of 99.825, which is slightly below the national average. This scenario impacts the overall purchasing power for those in the occupation, making salary negotiations and choices of employment settings crucial. Outpatient orthopedic clinics and hospital inpatient rehab tend to offer higher pay compared to skilled nursing facilities, which have felt the brunt of the recent Medicare cuts. Factors influencing salary variation include productivity expectations, supervision demands, and the specific services rendered within each setting. To maximize earning potential in Visalia, PTAs could consider working in environments that appreciate enhanced productivity, such as outpatient clinics, which typically provide more favorable rates amidst the changing dynamics of insurance reimbursements.
More salary data for Visalia, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Visalia, CA in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Visalia?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Visalia?
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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 $79,440 for physical therapist assistantsin the Visalia 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