Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in San Bernardino, CA: $81,473 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in San Bernardino, CA earns a median $81,473/year (≈ $39.17/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in San Bernardino's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $72,036 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.5% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the physical therapist assistant salary in San Bernardino is projected to reach $81,473, significantly surpassing the national median of $70,247, reflecting a 15.98% premium in local compensation. Salary estimates for this role in the city range from $51,517 at the 10th percentile to $114,260 at the 90th percentile. This upward trend in earnings highlights shifts in the market, particularly as outpatient therapy settings continue to evolve post-Medicare cut. San Bernardino's healthcare landscape is adapting to changes, with demand for physical therapist assistants remaining robust amid the growing preference for outpatient therapy among patients, making this an appealing area for those pursuing a career in the field.
About the San Bernardino Market
Salary estimated from California average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,517 | $24.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $71,682 | $34.47 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $81,473 | $39.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $94,838 | $45.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $114,260 | $54.93 |
Median Salary Position
15.98% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Bernardino
In San Bernardino, CA, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $62,743 (2026 est.). At $81,473, the local median is 15.98% above the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in San Bernardino: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How San Bernardino Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
San Bernardino median: $81,473/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Bernardino Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $84,428 | -3.50% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | +15.98% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in San Bernardino, CA earn a median of $81,473 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.98% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 3.50% below the California state average of $84,428.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Bernardino has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Bernardino, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $81,473 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $72,036 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$68,185
2025 BLS Actual
$79,308
2026 Current Est.
$81,473
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in San Bernardino (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $68,185 | Actual |
| 2020 | $69,322 | Actual |
| 2021 | $70,957 | Actual |
| 2022 | $72,801 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,321 | Actual |
| 2024 | $90,977 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,308 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,473 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83,697 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Bernardino metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $68,185 (2019) to $79,308 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $83,697 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,512 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Bernardino 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) | $51,517 – $71,682 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $71,682 – $81,473 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $81,473 – $94,838 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $94,838 – $114,260 |
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 San Bernardino
Analyzing the job market, San Bernardino employs 33 physical therapist assistants, which provides a stable but competitive environment. The cost-of-living index stands at 113.1, indicating that while salaries are high relative to national averages, they must also accommodate living expenses in the area. The highest-paying employers typically include outpatient orthopedic clinics and hospital inpatient rehab facilities, which have retained higher reimbursement structures compared to skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) affected by the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut. Factors driving the disparity in pay include work settings, productivity expectations, and additional payments related to weekend or PRN work. To enhance earning potential, aspiring PTAs in San Bernardino may consider seeking positions in high-demand outpatient facilities, increasing their hours, or pursuing advanced training that could facilitate transitions to roles with greater responsibilities, such as PTA-to-DPT bridge pathways advocated by organizations like APTA.
More salary data for San Bernardino, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in San Bernardino, CA in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in San Bernardino?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in San Bernardino?
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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 $79,308 for physical therapist assistantsin the San Bernardino 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 San Bernardino 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