Physical Therapist Aide salary in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
Physical Therapist Aides in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area earn a median of $39,210 a year ($18.85 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,230 for the top 10%. That is 11% higher than the national median of $35,240. Pay here is 2% higher than the California statewide median of $38,330. There are 1.00 physical therapist aides per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 3.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $50,620, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physical therapist aides in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,340 | $16.99 |
| 25th percentile | $36,720 | $17.66 |
| Median | $39,210 | $18.85 |
| 75th percentile | $57,820 | $27.80 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $97,230 | $46.74 |
| Average (mean) | $50,620 | $24.34 |
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 | $3,267.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,633.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,508.08 |
| Weekly | $754.04 |
| Hourly | $18.85 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $39,210 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 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $43,300 | 330 |
| Fresno, CA | $40,350 | 240 |
| 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 Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $87,330 | $41.99 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $34,320 | $16.50 |
| Medical Assistant | $50,090 | $24.08 |
| Nursing Assistant | $47,940 | $23.05 |
| Dental Assistant | $58,580 | $28.16 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $47,150 | $22.67 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $50,870 | $24.46 |
| Massage Therapist | $58,050 | $27.91 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $81,370 | $39.12 |
| Phlebotomist | $59,800 | $28.75 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, 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 Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
The median salary for physical therapist aides in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area is $39,210 a year, or $18.85 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,230 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physical therapist aides make in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
The top 10% of physical therapist aides in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area earn at least $97,230 a year. The top 25% earn $57,820 or more.
What is the starting pay for physical therapist aides in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,340 a year, and a quarter of physical therapist aides earn $36,720 or less.
How many physical therapist aides work in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
About 100 physical therapist aides are employed in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.