Physical Therapist Aides Salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
The median pay for a physical therapist aides in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA is $44,070/year ($21.19/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $39K at the entry level to $66K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 110.42), so that salary is closer to $39,911 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,483/month — about 114.5% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $44K get you in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
About physical therapist aides
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Entry-level physical therapist aides (10th percentile) start around $39K. Mid-career wages sit at $44K.Top earners bring in $66K or more - a $27K spread from bottom to top.
Physical Therapist Aides pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | $44K | +28% | 90 |
| Alaska | $42K | +23% | 130 |
| Massachusetts | $38K | +10% | 530 |
| District of Columbia | $38K | +10% | 30 |
| Washington | $38K | +9% | 740 |
| Hawaii | $36K | +6% | 110 |
| Iowa | $36K | +6% | 300 |
| Pennsylvania | $36K | +6% | 980 |
| North Dakota | $36K | +5% | 120 |
| California | $36K | +5% | 6,800 |
| New Jersey | $36K | +4% | 2,140 |
| Oregon | $36K | +4% | 920 |
| Ohio | $36K | +4% | 870 |
| Maine | $36K | +4% | 120 |
| New Mexico | $36K | +4% | 200 |
Track physical therapist aides salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do physical therapist aides make in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
The median is $44,070 a year - that works out to about $21.19 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $39,170, and experienced physical therapist aides can clear $66,120. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $44K enough to live in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,042/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,483/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 114.5% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a physical therapist aides salary go in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara has a Regional Price Parity of 110.42 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median physical therapist aides salary is worth about $39,911 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do physical therapist aides get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.