Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Thousand Oaks, CA: $81,320 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Thousand Oaks, CA earns a median $81,320/year (≈ $39.10/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Thousand Oaks's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $71,901 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.7% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Thousand Oaks, California, the physical therapist assistant salary is projected to reach a median of $81,320 in 2026. This figure is significantly higher than the national median of $70,247, reflecting a robust compensation framework for this profession in the area. The salary range is expected to vary widely, from $58,637 at the 10th percentile to $110,123 at the 90th percentile, offering both entry-level opportunities and potential for experienced practitioners to thrive. Local estimates developed from 2025 BLS data and adjustments for regional cost factors illustrate that Thousand Oaks offers a competitive environment for physical therapist assistants, particularly in light of recent changes in healthcare reimbursement, such as the 15% Medicare cut impacting service delivery in skilled nursing facilities and outpatient settings.
About the Thousand Oaks Market
Salary estimated from California average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $58,637 | $28.19 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $72,082 | $34.65 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $81,320 | $39.10 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $95,781 | $46.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $110,123 | $52.95 |
Median Salary Position
15.76% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Thousand Oaks
In Thousand Oaks, CA, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $51,486 (2026 est.). At $81,320, the local median is 15.76% above the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Thousand Oaks: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Thousand Oaks Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Thousand Oaks median: $81,320/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Thousand Oaks Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $84,444 | -3.70% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | +15.76% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Thousand Oaks, CA earn a median of $81,320 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.76% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 3.70% below the California state average of $84,444.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Thousand Oaks has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Thousand Oaks, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $81,320 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $71,901 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$68,057
2025 BLS Actual
$79,159
2026 Current Est.
$81,320
2019–2027 Growth
+22.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Thousand Oaks (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $68,057 | Actual |
| 2020 | $69,192 | Actual |
| 2021 | $70,824 | Actual |
| 2022 | $72,665 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,181 | Actual |
| 2024 | $88,740 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,159 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,320 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83,540 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Thousand Oaks metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $68,057 (2019) to $79,159 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $83,540 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,483 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Thousand Oaks 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) | $58,637 – $72,082 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $72,082 – $81,320 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $81,320 – $95,781 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $95,781 – $110,123 |
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 Thousand Oaks
With 32 physical therapist assistants currently employed in Thousand Oaks, the local job market reflects both opportunity and competitive challenges. The cost-of-living index, standing at 113.1, suggests that while salaries are relatively high, living expenses must be considered when assessing take-home pay. Outpatient orthopedic clinics and home health agencies typically offer the most lucrative pay among local employers, compared to skilled nursing facilities, which have seen pay compressed due to Medicare reimbursement changes. The disparity in compensation often hinges on practice settings, productivity expectations, weekend and PRN premiums, and supervision requirements, which impact the overall pay structure. For those entering or advancing in their career, strategies to maximize earnings in Thousand Oaks might include pursuing ongoing education, targeting high-paying employer segments, and considering PTA-to-DPT bridge pathways that can enhance job prospects and salary potential.
More salary data for Thousand Oaks, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Thousand Oaks, CA in 2026?
Is Thousand Oaks, CA a good place to work as a physical therapist assistant?
Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Thousand Oaks?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Thousand Oaks?
How much does a physical therapist assistant make per hour in Thousand Oaks?
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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 $79,159 for physical therapist assistantsin the Thousand Oaks 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 Thousand Oaks 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