Physical Therapist Assistant salary in California
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
A physical therapist assistant in California earns a median of $83,110 a year ($39.96/hour equivalent), 21.5% above the national median of $68,380. California ranks #1 of 51 states. About 9,400 people do this job in California.
Take-home pay in California
At the California median, a single filer keeps about $62,733 a year after federal, FICA and California taxes — $2,413 every two weeks. Try your own numbers with the California paycheck calculator.
- Gross pay
- $3,196.54
- Federal income tax
- −$363.62
- Social Security (6.2%)
- −$198.19
- Medicare (1.45%)
- −$46.35
- California income tax
- −$134.01
- CA SDI
- −$41.56
- Take-home pay
- $2,412.82
Annual breakdown
- Gross
- $83,110
- Federal
- $9,454
- FICA
- $6,358
- State + local
- $4,565
- Net
- $62,733
- Marginal federal rate
- 22.0%
- Marginal state rate
- 9.3%
2026 federal brackets (Rev. Proc. 2025-32) and 2026 state rules. Estimates assume wages are your only income and use annual liability, so your actual withholding can differ slightly.
How California compares
| Rank | State | Median salary |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | California | $83,110 |
| #2 | Massachusetts | $79,460 |
| #3 | New Jersey | $78,440 |
| #4 | Texas | $78,000 |
| #5 | Maryland | $77,670 |
| #49 | West Virginia | $60,430 |
| #50 | Oklahoma | $59,480 |
| #51 | South Dakota | $49,310 |
See the national physical therapist assistant salary page for the full pay range and all states.
BLS occupation: Physical Therapist Assistants (SOC 31-2021), May 2025, state estimates.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a physical therapist assistant make in California?
The median salary is $83,110 a year and the average is $83,080 (BLS May 2025).
Is California a good state for physical therapist assistants?
California ranks #1 of 51 states for median pay in this job, 22% above the national median of $68,380.
What is $83,110 after taxes in California?
About $62,733 a year ($2,413 every two weeks) for a single filer in 2026.
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Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.