Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Los Angeles, CA
Physical Therapist Assistants in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area earn a median $82,140 a year — 20% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $62,138 take-home, or $5,178 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median physical therapist assistant salary in Los Angeles, CA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$9,241
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,093
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,191
- California income tax$3,409
- CA State Disability Insurance (SDI)$1,068
- Take-home pay$62,138
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 9.30% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Physical Therapist Assistant pay by experience in Los Angeles, CA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $59,710 | $28.71 | $47,749 | $3,979 |
| 25th percentile | $77,620 | $37.32 | $59,429 | $4,952 |
| Median (50th) | $82,140 | $39.49 | $62,138 | $5,178 |
| 75th percentile | $89,940 | $43.24 | $66,799 | $5,567 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $101,060 | $48.59 | $73,443 | $6,120 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, California resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $82,140 buys in Los Angeles, CA
Prices in Los Angeles, CA are 13.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.70× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median physical therapist assistant's $62,138 take-home pay has the buying power of $54,716 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Physical Therapist Assistant jobs are about as common in Los Angeles, CA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.82).
Best-paying cities for physical therapist assistants, adjusted for cost of living
Los Angeles, CA ranks #1 of 4 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Angeles, CA | $82,140 | $62,138 | $54,716 |
| 2 | Chicago, IL | $72,230 | $56,213 | $54,262 |
| 3 | Miami, FL | $72,530 | $59,855 | $52,433 |
| 4 | New York, NY | $75,620 | $58,542 | $52,008 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 4 metros →
About the job: physical therapist assistants
Assist physical therapists in providing physical therapy treatments and procedures. May, in accordance with state laws, assist in the development of treatment plans, carry out routine functions, document the progress of treatment, and modify specific treatments in accordance with patient status and within the scope of treatment plans established by a physical therapist. Generally requires formal training.
- Typical education
- Associate's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +23.0% (much faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a physical therapist assistant make in Los Angeles, CA?
The median physical therapist assistant salary in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area is $82,140 a year, or about $39.49 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $77,620 and $89,940.
What is a physical therapist assistant’s take-home pay in Los Angeles, CA?
On the median $82,140 salary, a single filer living in California takes home about $62,138 a year ($5,178 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $4,477 in California taxes in 2026.
Is Los Angeles, CA a good place to work as a physical therapist assistant?
Pay here is 20% above the national median of $68,380. Local prices are 13.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $54,716 would in a typical U.S. city. Los Angeles, CA ranks #1 of 4 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a physical therapist assistant afford rent in Los Angeles, CA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Los Angeles, CA is $2,245 a month ($2,755 for two bedrooms) — 43% of a median physical therapist assistant’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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