California Median
$83,110
per year
Hourly Rate
$39.96
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+22% vs US median
US median $68,380
State Rank
#1 of 51
9,400 employed here
How much does a Physical Therapist Assistant make in California?
Physical Therapist Assistants in California take home a median of $83,110 annually — roughly $39.96 an hour — which runs 22% above the national median of $68,380.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $59,500 while the top 10% make $102,800 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $75,900 and $94,940 a year.
Physical Therapist Assistant salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $59,500 | $28.61 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $75,900 | $36.49 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $83,110 | $39.96 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $94,940 | $45.64 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $102,800 | $49.42 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 1st out of 51 states and territories for Physical Therapist Assistant pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Physical Therapist Assistant salary in other states
Massachusetts $79,460New Jersey $78,440Texas $78,000Maryland $77,670Alaska $77,640Connecticut $75,880Nevada $75,520Delaware $74,610Virginia $73,760Oregon $73,180Georgia $72,800Florida $72,530Vermont $71,600New Hampshire $71,440South Carolina $70,500Rhode Island $68,640North Carolina $67,540Hawaii $67,510Minnesota $66,770Washington $66,450Maine $66,250Louisiana $65,370Indiana $65,280Illinois $65,240Colorado $64,810Arizona $64,650Arkansas $64,520Kansas $64,500New York $64,100Wisconsin $64,080Ohio $63,820Missouri $63,770Wyoming $63,550North Dakota $63,520District of Columbia $63,400Montana $62,650Pennsylvania $62,580Tennessee $62,500New Mexico $62,280Utah $61,980Mississippi $61,770Michigan $61,670Kentucky $61,480Alabama $61,430Nebraska $61,370Iowa $61,030Idaho $61,020West Virginia $60,430Oklahoma $59,480South Dakota $49,310
Working as a Physical Therapist Assistant in California
Nationally, about 112,000 people work as Physical Therapist Assistants in the United States. A certificate or diploma program (usually 6 to 18 months) is the typical entry path.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($83,110) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Physical Therapist Assistant make in California?
The median Physical Therapist Assistant salary in California is $83,110 per year, or about $39.96 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $59,500 at the entry level to $102,800 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Physical Therapist Assistants about 22% more than the national median of $68,380. California ranks 1st out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Physical Therapist Assistants?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $83,110 a year. About 9,400 Physical Therapist Assistants are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Physical Therapist Assistant salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.