Average Physical Therapist Assistants Salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Physical Therapist Assistants in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA area earn an impressive average annual salary of $100,580. This figure significantly surpasses the national average of $67,190, indicating a strong demand and higher compensation structure within this specific metropolitan region. The elevated pay is likely influenced by the area's high cost of living and the specialized nature of healthcare services.
Executive Summary
- Average Salary: $100,580 per year.
- Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 36.8% ↗ over the last 5 years.
- Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $125,840.
- Outlook: With a local workforce of 330 Physical Therapist Assistants and a Location Quotient of 0.41, the job market in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, shows a concentration below the national average. While the absolute number of professionals is modest, the demand, as indicated by jobs per 1,000 workers at 0.29, suggests a stable, albeit not rapidly expanding, employment landscape for these professionals.
Salary Overview
The average Physical Therapist Assistants in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA earns+49.7%above the national average.
$48.4
$1,934
$8,382
Physical Therapist Assistants Salary Trends (2020-2024)
While specific historical data isn't provided, it's reasonable to assume that salaries for Physical Therapist Assistants in a high-cost, high-demand area like San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara have experienced steady growth over the past four years. Factors such as inflation, increasing healthcare needs, and a competitive job market typically drive upward salary trends for skilled healthcare professionals.
Physical Therapist Assistants Salary Distribution in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Salary progression for Physical Therapist Assistants is closely tied to experience. Entry-level positions typically start at the lower end of the pay scale, while seasoned professionals with extensive experience and specialized skills can command significantly higher salaries, often reaching the upper percentiles. The gap between entry-level and senior roles highlights clear career advancement opportunities and increased earning potential.
| Experience Level | Market Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resident / New GradClinical rotation complete. Gaining floor experience. | 10% (Entry) | $76,230 | $36.6 |
| Staff ClinicianFull patient caseload. Proficient in core procedures. | 25% (Junior) | $75,435 | $36.3 |
| Charge / SeniorShift lead. Precepts new hires. Specialized certification. | 50% (Median) | $97,350 | $46.8 |
| SpecialistAdvanced degree/cert (e.g., ICU, OR). High acuity cases. | 75% (Senior) | $125,725 | $60.4 |
| Director / LeadDepartment head or Advanced Practice Provider. | 90% (Expert) | $125,840 | $60.5 |
Detailed Physical Therapist Assistants Market Analysis
Relocation Context
Nominal Salary
$100,580
Gross Pay
Real Wage (Purchasing Power)
$100,580
Adjusted for COL (100)
The average annual salary of $100,580 in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, aligns precisely with the national average Cost of Living Index of 100. This means that while the nominal salary is substantially higher than the national average, the purchasing power of that salary is effectively equivalent to the national average due to the local cost of goods and services.
Job Market Context
330
Total Jobs
0.29
Per 1K Jobs
0.41
Location Quotient
At 0.41x, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA has a notably lower concentration of Physical Therapist Assistants jobs than the national average. Opportunities in this area are relatively scarce for this profession.
A Location Quotient of 0.41 suggests that Physical Therapist Assistants are less concentrated in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA area compared to the national average. This lower concentration, coupled with a modest number of jobs per 1,000 workers, indicates a potentially competitive market where demand is met by a proportionally smaller local workforce, possibly leading to higher wages for qualified individuals.
Nearby Job Markets
Nearby Cities for Physical Therapist Assistants
| City | Salary | Dist. |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA Physical Therapist Assistants Salary | $86,190↓ 14% | 26 mi |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA Physical Therapist Assistants Salary | $98,250↓ 2% | 42 mi |
| Salinas, CA Physical Therapist Assistants Salary | $87,210↓ 13% | 47 mi |
| Modesto, CA Physical Therapist Assistants Salary | $96,920↓ 4% | 53 mi |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA Physical Therapist Assistants Salary | $82,820↓ 18% | 54 mi |
Comparing salaries near San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Physical Therapist Assistants make in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
The median annual salary for a Physical Therapist Assistants in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA is $100,580. This typically ranges from $76,230 for entry-level positions to $125,840 for top-level roles.
How does the salary compare to the national average?
The average salary for this role in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA is 49.7% higher than the national median of $67,190.
Is San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA a lucrative place for Physical Therapist Assistants?
Yes, it is a lucrative place for Physical Therapist Assistants.The average salary of $100,580 is significantly higher than the national average, offering substantial earning potential. However, this is balanced by a Cost of Living Index that is also at the national average, meaning the higher salary's purchasing power is comparable to lower-paying regions.
Is San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA a good place to live for Physical Therapist Assistants?
The Cost of Living Index in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.
Where are the highest paying cities near San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
Some top paying nearby cities include Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA ($86,190) and San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA.
How does the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA salary compare to the national average?
The average annual salary for Physical Therapist Assistants in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA is $100,580, which is considerably higher than the national average of $67,190.
What is the Cost of Living in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
The Cost of Living Index in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA is 100, which is exactly the national average. This means that while salaries are higher, the cost of goods and services is also at the national average.
How concentrated is the Physical Therapist Assistant job market in this area?
The Location Quotient of 0.41 indicates that Physical Therapist Assistants are less concentrated in this area compared to the national average, suggesting a potentially less saturated job market.
What does a Location Quotient of 0.41 mean for job seekers?
A Location Quotient below 1.0, like 0.41, suggests that the proportion of Physical Therapist Assistants in this region is lower than the national average. This could imply a higher demand relative to the supply of professionals in the local market.
Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 330 employees in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA area with a job density of 0.29 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.
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Semantic Salary Analysis for Physical Therapist Assistants • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA