PT Assistant Salary

La Habra vs Sacramento: Physical Therapist Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare physical therapist assistant salaries between La Habra, CA and Sacramento, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

La Habra, CA
$81,503
$39.18/hr
Sacramento, CA
$86,591
$41.64/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLa Habra, CASacramento, CA
Median Salary$81,503$86,591
Hourly Rate$39.18$41.64
Entry Level (P10)$57,180$65,747
25th Percentile$70,952$77,982
75th Percentile$94,856$98,272
Top Earner (P90)$107,569$105,719
Total Employed16570
Side-by-side bar chart comparing La Habra ($81,503) and Sacramento ($86,591) physical therapist assistant salaries.La HabraSacramentoMedian Salary$81,503$86,591Entry Level (P10)$57,180$65,747Top Earner (P90)$107,569$105,719US Median $70,247

Verdict

Sacramento, CA offers better overall compensation for physical therapist assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to La Habra.

The salary gap between La Habra and Sacramento is $5,088 (6.24%). Sacramento's median is +23.27% compared to the US national median of $70,247.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in La Habra spans $50,389,Sacramento spans $39,972. La Habra has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

La Habra
P10 (Entry)$57,180
P25$70,952
Median$81,503
P75$94,856
P90 (Top)$107,569
Sacramento
P10 (Entry)$65,747
P25$77,982
Median$86,591
P75$98,272
P90 (Top)$105,719

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Sacramento ($81,177 effective) pays 12.65% more than La Habra ($72,063 effective).

La Habra
Nominal: $81,503
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $72,063
Sacramento
Nominal: $86,591
CoL Index: 106.67
Adjusted: $81,177

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose La Habra if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($107,569)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Sacramento if…

  • Higher median salary ($86,591/year)
  • Larger job market (570 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $81,177)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist assistant salaries in La Habra grew -6.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 11.3% growth in Sacramento over the same period.

La Habra, CA

+-6.9%

$85,187 (2024) → $79,337 (2025)

Sacramento, CA

+11.3%

$75,760 (2019) → $84,290 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapist assistants more: La Habra or Sacramento?

Sacramento has a higher median physical therapist assistant salary at $86,591/year, compared to La Habra at $81,503/year — a difference of $5,088 (6.24%).

What is the hourly rate difference between La Habra and Sacramento?

La Habra physical therapist assistants earn $39.18/hr while Sacramento hygienists earn $41.64/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from La Habra to Sacramento as a physical therapist assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing La Habra and Sacramento. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: La Habra = $72,063, Sacramento = $81,177), job availability (16 vs 570 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapist assistants earn in La Habra vs Sacramento?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapist assistants earn $57,180 in La Habra and $65,747 in Sacramento. The Sacramento area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JL

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.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gonzalez, PTAData verified by Ahmed Khan, DPT

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.73% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, DPT, a licensed physical therapist assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov