Physical Therapist Aides pay in California
In California, the median pay for physical therapist aides is $18.43 an hour ($38,330 a year). About 7,330 people work in this job there.
That is 9% higher than the U.S. median ($35,240). California ranks 9th of 50 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for physical therapist aides in California
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $16.68 | $34,690 |
| 25% of workers | $17.19 | $35,760 |
| Half of workers (median) | $18.43 | $38,330 |
| 75% of workers | $22.21 | $46,190 |
| 90% of workers | $28.94 | $60,200 |
Physical Therapist Aides pay in California metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | $44,440 | 680 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | $43,300 | 330 |
| Fresno | $40,350 | 240 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville | $39,210 | 100 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $38,980 | 330 |
| Salinas | $38,810 | 60 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $38,440 | 740 |
| Chico | $38,230 | 30 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $37,850 | 760 |
| Visalia | $37,700 | 80 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma | $37,620 | 60 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $37,280 | 2,720 |
| Vallejo | $37,270 | 30 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | $36,790 | 120 |
| Modesto | $36,640 | 80 |
| Stockton-Lodi | $36,380 | 100 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | $36,240 | 290 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles | $35,880 | 90 |
| Merced | $35,870 | 50 |
| Bakersfield-Delano | $35,220 | 90 |
| Redding | $35,010 | 80 |
California unemployment rate: 5.1% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for physical therapist aides
- Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 6 months to 1 year (O*NET)
- Training on the job: Short-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: +4% over ten years, about as fast as average · about 6,400 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Medical Assistants | $49,660 |
| Nursing Assistants | $47,630 |
| Respiratory Therapists | $104,820 |
| Massage Therapists | $45,970 |
| Psychiatric Technicians | $49,140 |
| Occupational Therapists | $124,510 |
| Physical Therapist Assistants | $83,110 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistants | $81,770 |
Other job titles for this job
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.