Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Upland, CA: $81,624 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Upland, CA earns a median $81,624/year (≈ $39.24/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Upland's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $72,170 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Upland, California, the projected median annual salary for physical therapist assistants stands at $81,624 in 2026, considerably higher than the national figure of $70,247 for the same year. This local estimate shows a range from $57,202 at the 10th percentile to $108,224 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the varied pay structures available within the profession. This compensation data is drawn from 2025 BLS estimates and has been adjusted for regional price variances, illustrating the unique economic landscape in Upland. The job market has notably evolved following the Medicare cuts, which have had a profound impact on how PTAs are compensated in outpatient versus skilled nursing facility (SNF) settings, making it critical for applicants to understand these dynamics.
About the Upland Market
Salary estimated from California average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $57,202 | $27.50 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $71,198 | $34.23 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $81,624 | $39.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $95,106 | $45.73 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $108,224 | $52.03 |
Median Salary Position
16.20% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Upland
In Upland, CA, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $51,022 (2026 est.). At $81,624, the local median is 16.2% above the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Upland: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Upland Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Upland median: $81,624/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Upland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $84,410 | -3.30% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | +16.20% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Upland, CA earn a median of $81,624 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.20% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 3.30% below the California state average of $84,410.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Upland has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Upland, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $81,624 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $72,170 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$68,312
2025 BLS Actual
$79,455
2026 Current Est.
$81,624
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Upland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $68,312 | Actual |
| 2020 | $69,451 | Actual |
| 2021 | $71,089 | Actual |
| 2022 | $72,936 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,459 | Actual |
| 2024 | $85,313 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,455 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,624 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83,852 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Upland metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $68,312 (2019) to $79,455 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $83,852 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,540 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Upland 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) | $57,202 – $71,198 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $71,198 – $81,624 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $81,624 – $95,106 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $95,106 – $108,224 |
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 Upland
With 18 physical therapist assistants currently employed in Upland, the local job market remains competitive but is influenced by a cost of living index of 113.1, indicating a higher-than-average cost of living compared to national standards. This index suggests that while salaries may appear attractive, take-home purchasing power is essential for sustaining a comfortable lifestyle in this area. Employers that typically offer higher wages include outpatient orthopedic clinics and home health agencies, often driven by the need for skilled PTAs due to the ongoing impact of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut in settings heavily reliant on Medicare clients. Variances in pay are shaped by several factors including productivity expectations, supervision requirements, and the differences between hospital and outpatient settings. To maximize pay within Upland’s market, PTAs should consider pursuing specialty certifications or seeking employment in the highest-paying facilities while remaining adept at navigating the ever-changing demands of the healthcare landscape.
More salary data for Upland, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Upland, CA in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Upland?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Upland?
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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 $79,455 for physical therapist assistantsin the Upland 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 Upland 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