Physical Therapist Assistants pay in California

In California, the median pay for physical therapist assistants is $39.96 an hour ($83,110 a year). About 9,400 people work in this job there.

$39.96Median hourly pay

$75,900–$94,940Middle half of workers, yearly

9,400People in this job in California

That is 22% higher than the U.S. median ($68,380). California ranks 1st of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.

Pay range for physical therapist assistants in California

Earns more than	Hourly	Yearly
10% of workers	$28.61	$59,500
25% of workers	$36.49	$75,900
Half of workers (median)	$39.96	$83,110
75% of workers	$45.64	$94,940
90% of workers	$49.42	$102,800

Physical Therapist Assistants pay in California metro areas

Metro area	Median yearly pay	People in this job
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara	$97,190	400
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont	$95,920	1,040
Santa Cruz-Watsonville	$87,330	60
Santa Rosa-Petaluma	$87,300	90
Vallejo	$86,630	50
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara	$85,150	100
Salinas	$84,850	70
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom	$84,290	570
Bakersfield-Delano	$84,100	150
Modesto	$83,450	150
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad	$82,160	870
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim	$82,140	3,730
Stockton-Lodi	$81,310	160
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura	$79,480	210
Visalia	$79,440	100
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario	$79,210	860
San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles	$78,990	70
Redding	$77,740	60
Fresno	$77,000	220
Chico	$76,580	100
Yuba City	$73,580	30

California unemployment rate: 5.1% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Education, experience and outlook for physical therapist assistants

Typical education to start: Associate's degree (BLS)
Related work experience most have: 3 to 6 months (O*NET)
Job outlook: +23% over ten years, much faster than average · about 18,500 openings a year (BLS)

Related jobs in California

Job	Median yearly pay
Medical Assistants	$49,660
Respiratory Therapists	$104,820
Psychiatric Technicians	$49,140
Physical Therapist Aides	$38,330
Occupational Therapy Assistants	$81,770
Psychiatric Aides	$47,500
Recreational Therapists	$98,170
Radiation Therapists	$166,450

Other job titles for this job

Rehabilitation AssistantAssistantCertified Physical Therapist AssistantCptaHome Care Physical Therapy AssistantHome Health Physical Therapist AssistantHome Health Physical Therapy AssistantHome Health PtaLicensed Physical Therapist AssistantLptaLicensed Physical Therapy AssistantNursing Facility Pta

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Source: 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.