Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Elk Grove, CA: $85,687 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Elk Grove, CA earns a median $85,687/year (≈ $41.19/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Elk Grove's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $75,762 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Elk Grove, California, the projected median annual salary for a physical therapist assistant (PTA) in 2026 is $85,687, reflecting a robust 21.98% increase compared to the national median of $70,247. The salary range for this role extends from $56,216 at the 10th percentile to $111,870 at the 90th percentile, suggesting a diverse set of opportunities depending on experience and workplace setting. These figures are based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, and adjusted for local cost of living nuances. Job seekers in Elk Grove can find promising salary prospects, particularly as the region prepares for further growth in healthcare-related roles, shaping clear paths to enhanced earning potential for those considering the PTA-to-DPT bridging pathways.
About the Elk Grove Market
Salary estimated from California average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $56,216 | $27.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $71,799 | $34.52 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $85,687 | $41.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $98,649 | $47.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $111,870 | $53.78 |
Median Salary Position
21.98% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Elk Grove
In Elk Grove, CA, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $55,654 (2026 est.). At $85,687, the local median is 21.98% above the national median of $70,247.
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At 40 hours/week in Elk Grove: You'd be above the median
How Elk Grove Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Elk Grove median: $85,687/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Elk Grove Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $84,421 | +1.50% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | +21.98% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Elk Grove, CA earn a median of $85,687 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.98% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 1.50% above the California state average of $84,421.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Elk Grove has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Elk Grove, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $85,687 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $75,762 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$71,712
2025 BLS Actual
$83,410
2026 Current Est.
$85,687
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Elk Grove (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $71,712 | Actual |
| 2020 | $72,908 | Actual |
| 2021 | $74,627 | Actual |
| 2022 | $76,567 | Actual |
| 2023 | $78,165 | Actual |
| 2024 | $89,560 | Actual |
| 2025 | $83,410 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,687 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $88,026 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Elk Grove metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $71,712 (2019) to $83,410 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $88,026 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,314 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Elk Grove 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) | $56,216 – $71,799 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $71,799 – $85,687 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $85,687 – $98,649 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $98,649 – $111,870 |
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 Elk Grove
In Elk Grove, the job market for physical therapist assistants is strengthened by the employment of 25 PTAs in the area, indicating a competitive yet stable environment. The cost of living index at 113.1 means that while salaries are higher than the national average, they must also accommodate the local expenses, influencing the effective purchasing power of take-home pay. Among the local employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics typically offer the highest pay rates, followed closely by skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation services. Factors driving the variation in compensation include employment setting, productivity expectations, and reimbursement cuts from Medicare, particularly impacting those working in outpatient and SNF environments. PTAs can maximize their earnings in Elk Grove by seeking positions in higher-paying specialties, considering additional certifications, or exploring transitional programs to become a DPT, thus opening doors to increased lifetime earnings.
More salary data for Elk Grove, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $83,410 for physical therapist assistantsin the Elk Grove 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 Elk Grove 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