Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Merced, CA: $82,005 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Merced, CA earns a median $82,005/year (≈ $39.43/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Merced's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $72,507 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.8% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Merced, California, the projected median annual salary for a physical therapist assistant is anticipated to be $82,005 in 2026, reflecting a robust increase compared to the national average of $70,247 for the same year. The salary range for this role is notably wide, spanning from $56,010 at the lower end (P10) to $106,486 at the higher end (P90). These figures are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, adjusted for regional price parity, providing a strong contextual foundation for understanding local compensation. Productivity expectations in outpatient settings can substantially influence earnings, as PTAs who can efficiently handle a higher number of patient visits daily tend to see greater financial rewards.
About the Merced Market
Salary estimated from California average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $56,010 | $26.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $70,185 | $33.75 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $82,005 | $39.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $94,204 | $45.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $106,486 | $51.19 |
Median Salary Position
16.74% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Merced
In Merced, CA, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,476 (2026 est.). At $82,005, the local median is 16.74% above the national median of $70,247.
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At 40 hours/week in Merced: You'd be above the median
How Merced Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Merced median: $82,005/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Merced Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $84,368 | -2.80% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | +16.74% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Merced, CA earn a median of $82,005 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.74% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 2.80% below the California state average of $84,368.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Merced has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Merced, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $82,005 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $72,507 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$68,631
2025 BLS Actual
$79,826
2026 Current Est.
$82,005
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Merced (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $68,631 | Actual |
| 2020 | $69,775 | Actual |
| 2021 | $71,421 | Actual |
| 2022 | $72,610 | Actual |
| 2023 | $81,210 | Actual |
| 2024 | $85,711 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,826 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82,005 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84,244 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Merced metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $68,631 (2019) to $79,826 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $84,244 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,613 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Merced 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) | $56,010 – $70,185 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $70,185 – $82,005 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $82,005 – $94,204 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $94,204 – $106,486 |
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 Merced
The job market in Merced comprises around 20 physical therapist assistants, which reveals a niche yet steady demand for this profession. With a cost-of-living index of 113.1, the purchasing power may be slightly constrained compared to the national average; thus, understanding compensation dynamics is essential. Employers that tend to pay well in this area include outpatient orthopedic clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and home health agencies, each offering different compensation structures based on factors like productivity and patient type. The disparity in salaries can be explained by various factors, including the setting—hospitals generally pay more than outpatient and skilled nursing facilities—and the influence of the recent 15% Medicare cut, which has pressured reimbursement rates in heavily Medicare-reliant sectors. For PTAs aiming to maximize their pay in Merced, seeking employment in higher-paying settings while focusing on productivity and taking advantage of PRN weekend shifts can be strategic moves in this local market.
More salary data for Merced, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Merced, CA in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Merced?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Merced?
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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 $79,826 for physical therapist assistantsin the Merced 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 Merced 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