Physical Therapist Aide salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Physical Therapist Aides in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area earn a median of $43,300 a year ($20.82 an hour), based on BLS data for 330 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,530 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,190 for the top 10%. That is 23% higher than the national median of $35,240. Pay here is 13% higher than the California statewide median of $38,330. There are 0.29 physical therapist aides per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $51,380, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physical therapist aides in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,530 | $18.52 |
| 25th percentile | $40,770 | $19.60 |
| Median | $43,300 | $20.82 |
| 75th percentile | $54,470 | $26.19 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $74,190 | $35.67 |
| Average (mean) | $51,380 | $24.70 |
Half of physical therapist aides earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,608.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,804.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,665.38 |
| Weekly | $832.69 |
| Hourly | $20.82 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $43,300 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Physical Therapist Aide salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $44,440 | 680 |
| Fresno, CA | $40,350 | 240 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $39,210 | 100 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $38,980 | 330 |
| Salinas, CA | $38,810 | 60 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $38,440 | 740 |
| Chico, CA | $38,230 | 30 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $37,850 | 760 |
| Visalia, CA | $37,700 | 80 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $37,620 | 60 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $37,280 | 2,720 |
| Vallejo, CA | $37,270 | 30 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $36,790 | 120 |
| Modesto, CA | $36,640 | 80 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $36,380 | 100 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $36,240 | 290 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $35,880 | 90 |
| Merced, CA | $35,870 | 50 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $35,220 | 90 |
| Redding, CA | $35,010 | 80 |
Highest-paying states for physical therapist aides
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $55,760 |
| Minnesota | $42,330 |
| Colorado | $41,970 |
| New Hampshire | $40,460 |
| Maine | $39,660 |
| Washington | $39,500 |
| District of Columbia | $38,950 |
| Montana | $38,950 |
| California | $38,330 |
| North Dakota | $37,680 |
See Physical Therapist Aide pay in every state or the California statewide figures.
Related jobs in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $97,190 | $46.73 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $95,370 | $45.85 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $37,640 | $18.09 |
| Medical Assistant | $61,940 | $29.78 |
| Nursing Assistant | $56,840 | $27.33 |
| Dental Assistant | $74,600 | $35.86 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $57,000 | $27.40 |
| Massage Therapist | $50,060 | $24.07 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $49,210 | $23.66 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $81,090 | $38.98 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $47,450 | $22.81 |
| Phlebotomist | $60,600 | $29.13 |
| Orderly | $65,790 | $31.63 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $57,420 | $27.61 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-2022. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a physical therapist aide make in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
The median salary for physical therapist aides in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area is $43,300 a year, or $20.82 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,530 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,190 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physical therapist aides make in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
The top 10% of physical therapist aides in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area earn at least $74,190 a year. The top 25% earn $54,470 or more.
What is the starting pay for physical therapist aides in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,530 a year, and a quarter of physical therapist aides earn $40,770 or less.
How many physical therapist aides work in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
About 330 physical therapist aides are employed in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.