How much does a physical therapist assistant make in California?
$83,110a year
Median yearly pay for physical therapist assistants in California. That is $39.96 an hour or $6,926 a month.
- Hourly
- $39.96
- Vs. national median
- +22%
- Rank among states
- 1 of 51
- Jobs in the state
- 9,400
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $59,500Median: $83,110Highest 10%: $102,800
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $59,500 | $28.61 | |
| 25th | $75,900 | $36.49 | |
| Median | $83,110 | $39.96 | |
| 75th | $94,940 | $45.64 | |
| 90th | $102,800 | $49.42 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| San Jose, CA | $97,190 |
| San Francisco, CA | $95,920 |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $87,330 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $87,300 |
| Vallejo, CA | $86,630 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $85,150 |
| Salinas, CA | $84,850 |
| Sacramento, CA | $84,290 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $84,100 |
| Modesto, CA | $83,450 |
| San Diego, CA | $82,160 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $82,140 |
| Stockton, CA | $81,310 |
| Oxnard, CA | $79,480 |
| Visalia, CA | $79,440 |
| Riverside, CA | $79,210 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $78,990 |
| Redding, CA | $77,740 |
| Fresno, CA | $77,000 |
| Chico, CA | $76,580 |
| Yuba City, CA | $73,580 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for physical therapist assistants.
| 1. California | $83,110 |
| 2. Massachusetts | $79,460 |
| 3. New Jersey | $78,440 |
| 4. Texas | $78,000 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a physical therapist assistant make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $39.96 ($83,110 a year).
Do physical therapist assistants make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $83,110 against $68,380 nationally, 22% more.
Where does California rank for physical therapist assistant pay?
California ranks 1 of 51 states.
Which city in California pays physical therapist assistants the most?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, with a median of $97,190 a year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.