Salary data · California
Physical therapist assistant salary in California
Physical therapist assistants in California earn a mean of $83,080 a year and a median of $83,110, 20.9% above the national mean of $68,730. That ranks 1st of the 51 states with a published estimate.
$83,080
Mean annual wage
about $40 an hour
$83,110
Median annual wage
1st of 51
State rank
by mean wage
9,400
PTAs employed
BLS estimate
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025 estimates. These are estimates for physical therapist assistants already employed in California, not offers; the hourly figure divides the annual mean by 2,080 hours. Setting, specialty and caseload move an individual offer well above or below them. Updated October 22, 2026.
By metro
Physical therapist assistant pay by metro in California
| Metro | Mean | Median | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | $93,600 | $95,920 | 1,040 |
| Sacramento | $85,440 | $84,290 | 570 |
| Los Angeles | $81,680 | $82,140 | 3,730 |
| Riverside | $79,760 | $79,210 | 860 |
| San Diego | $78,720 | $82,160 | 870 |
Source: BLS OEWS metropolitan estimates. Suppressed cells show n/a.
The market
How many physical therapist assistants work in California
Source: NPPES monthly file, October 2026 (CMS, public domain), as of October 2026.
Licensed in another state?
California is not a member of the PT Compact: physical therapists and physical therapist assistants licensed in another state need a full California license before starting.
How the PT Compact works →Open roles
PTA openings in California
Other roles in California
Thinking about a PTA move in California?
Send a resume and a few lines on the setting, schedule and pay you want. A licensed clinician reads every one, and it stays confidential.