Physical Therapist Assistants Salary in California
The median pay for a physical therapist assistants in California is $79,410/year ($38.18/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $55K at the entry level to $105K for experienced workers.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $79K get you in California?
About physical therapist assistants
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, California
Entry-level physical therapist assistants (10th percentile) start around $55K. Mid-career wages sit at $79K.Top earners bring in $105K or more - a $50K spread from bottom to top.
Physical Therapist Assistants pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $79K | +21% | 8,430 |
| Massachusetts | $78K | +19% | 2,380 |
| Alaska | $76K | +16% | 100 |
| Texas | $76K | +16% | 11,230 |
| New Jersey | $75K | +14% | 1,350 |
| Connecticut | $74K | +13% | 910 |
| Virginia | $74K | +13% | 3,340 |
| Nevada | $73K | +12% | 590 |
| Washington | $73K | +11% | 2,110 |
| Maryland | $72K | +10% | 1,740 |
| Georgia | $72K | +9% | 2,460 |
| Oregon | $70K | +6% | 770 |
| South Carolina | $68K | +4% | 2,010 |
| Vermont | $68K | +4% | 100 |
| Arkansas | $67K | +3% | 1,540 |
Track physical therapist assistants salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when California numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in California?
The median is $79,410 a year - that works out to about $38.18 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $55,380, and experienced physical therapist assistants can clear $105,210. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $79K enough to live in California?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,061/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom in this state rents for about $2,201/month (median of metro areas), which eats 43.5% 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 assistants salary go in California?
California has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median physical therapist assistants salary is worth about $79,410 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do physical therapist assistants 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.