verified BLS-Verified Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2025 release

Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in California

Median Annual in California
$83,110/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$39.96/hr
▲ 22% above U.S. median

Salary Distribution in California

groups Employed in CA
9,400
public U.S. Median
$68,380
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$75,063 #7 of 51

Physical Therapist Assistant pay in California, explained

Physical therapist assistants in California earn a median of $83,110 per year ($39.96 per hour), which is 22% above the national median of $68,380. Entry-level workers earn around $59,500, while the most experienced physical therapist assistants reach about $102,800. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within California.

Is $83,110 good pay in California?

Adjusted for California's cost of living (which runs 111% of the U.S. average), that $83,110 is worth about $75,063 in national buying power — ranking California #7 for real pay (vs #1 on the sticker number).

See the full Physical Therapist Assistant Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Physical Therapist Assistant pay by experience in California

Entry level (10th pct)
$59,500
$28.61/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$83,110
$39.96/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$102,800
$49.42/hr

Physical Therapist Assistant pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs CA
California (here) $83,110 $75,063
Nevada $75,520 $75,536 +$7,590
Oregon $73,180 $70,800 +$9,930
Arizona $64,650 $64,215 +$18,460

Physical Therapist Assistant in California: FAQ

How much do physical therapist assistants make in California?

Physical therapist assistants in California earn a median of $83,110 per year ($39.96 per hour), compared with $68,380 nationally.

Does California pay physical therapist assistants well?

At $83,110, California pays 22% above the national median for physical therapist assistants. An estimated 9,400 work in the state.

Physical Therapist Assistant salary in other states

All 51 states ranked arrow_forward

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