As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Physical Therapy Attendant in California is $40,892 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $20.
However, a Physical Therapy Attendant's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Physical Therapy Attendant Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $46,510 | $3,876 | $894 | $22 |
| Average | $40,892 | $3,408 | $786 | $20 |
| 25th Percentile | $37,564 | $3,130 | $722 | $18 |
Encompass Health - Modesto, CA
Aureus Medical Group - Los Angeles, CA
StaffHealth - Agoura Hills, CA
Aureus Medical Group - Lompoc, CA
A Physical Therapy Attendant's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Physical Therapy Attendant's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant | 0-0 years | $71,790 |
| Physical Therapy Attendant | 0-1 years | $40,892 |
| Physical Therapy Supervisor | 3-5 years | $118,146 |
| Physical Therapy Manager | 5+ years | $139,447 |
| Physical Therapy Director | 5+ years | $167,311 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Physical Therapy Attendants. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
Physical Therapy Attendant salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $43,656. While startup companies pay approximate $37,118.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $37,118 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $39,207 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $42,213 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $43,656 |
For Physical Therapy Attendant roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 20% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Business Services, offers compensation 10% above the average. Conversely, Physical Therapy Attendant positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Physical Therapy Attendant as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Services | $44,981 | $22.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a Physical Therapy Attendant's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $46,510 | $3,876 | $894 | $22 |
| Average | $40,892 | $3,408 | $786 | $20 |
| 25th Percentile | $37,564 | $3,130 | $722 | $18 |
For a Physical Therapy Attendant, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Physical Therapy Supervisor role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $118,146 - a projected growth of 189% over your current level.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Physical Therapy Attendant job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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