How to Become A Physical Therapy Aide in California
California employs approximately 7,330 physical therapy aides according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $38,330 1. The state’s concentration of physical therapy aide jobs is 1.30x the national average, indicating strong demand. Nationally, physical therapy aide employment is projected to grow 2.8% from 2024 to 2034, with about 6,600 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a physical therapy aide in California, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Physical Therapy Aide in California
How do I become a physical therapy aide in California? California requires credentials such as Physical Therapist, Physical Therapist Assistant. The licensing authority is the Department of Consumer Affairs - Physical Therapy Board of California 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
Do I need a license in California? Yes. California has licensing or registration requirements for physical therapy aides. The Department of Consumer Affairs - Physical Therapy Board of California oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do physical therapy aides earn in California? The median annual wage for physical therapy aides in California is $38,330 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $34,690 and experienced professionals can earn $60,200 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: Department of Consumer Affairs - Physical Therapy Board of California
- Median wage (California): $38,330 per year 1
Physical Therapy Aide License Requirements in California
The Department of Consumer Affairs - Physical Therapy Board of California oversees physical therapy aide licensing in California 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist | Practitioners of physical therapy. Fees: Application: $300 License: $150 National examination: : $485 to the Federation; $100 to the Prometric testing center. No examination fees are paid to PTBC. |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | Practitioners of physical therapy. Fees: Application: $300 License: $150 Renewal: $300 (Biennial) National examination: $485 to the Federation; $84 to the Prometric testing center. |
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Physical Therapy Aide Wages by Metro Area in California
Physical Therapist Aides Wages by Metro Area in California
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), physical therapist aides wages in California vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | 2,720 | $37,280 | $42,660 | $34,690 | $60,450 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | 760 | $37,850 | $45,640 | $35,690 | $74,740 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | 740 | $38,440 | $41,800 | $34,320 | $64,440 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | 680 | $44,440 | $49,270 | $37,610 | $69,400 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | 330 | $38,980 | $41,040 | $35,830 | $48,370 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | 330 | $43,300 | $51,380 | $38,530 | $74,190 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | 290 | $36,240 | $40,280 | $35,060 | $50,980 |
| Fresno | 240 | $40,350 | $40,440 | $34,320 | $48,130 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | 120 | $36,790 | $40,700 | $35,430 | $49,870 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville | 100 | $39,210 | $50,620 | $35,340 | $97,230 |
| Stockton-Lodi | 100 | $36,380 | $41,090 | $34,680 | $57,880 |
| Bakersfield-Delano | 90 | $35,220 | $38,220 | $34,320 | $45,490 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles | 90 | $35,880 | $37,850 | $35,500 | $44,390 |
| Modesto | 80 | $36,640 | $40,170 | $35,320 | $48,410 |
| Redding | 80 | $35,010 | $37,570 | $34,320 | $43,990 |
| Visalia | 80 | $37,700 | $44,590 | $34,320 | $69,990 |
| Salinas | 60 | $38,810 | $41,300 | $36,530 | $48,360 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma | 60 | $37,620 | $40,480 | $36,590 | $47,560 |
| Merced | 50 | $35,870 | $39,940 | $34,500 | $53,500 |
| Chico | 30 | $38,230 | $39,840 | $34,320 | $45,360 |
| Vallejo | 30 | $37,270 | $39,780 | $36,560 | $44,700 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Top Metros for Physical therapy aides in California
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest physical therapy aide employment within California according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | 2,720 | $37,280 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | 760 | $37,850 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | 740 | $38,440 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | 680 | $44,440 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | 330 | $38,980 |
Explore More Trades in California
- Electrician in California
- Plumber in California
- HVAC Technician in California
- Welder in California
- Carpenter in California
- Solar Installation Technician in California
- Auto Mechanic in California
- CNC Machinist in California
- Certified Nursing Assistant in California
- Medical Assistant in California
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for physical therapy aides in California? California currently employs approximately 7,330 physical therapy aides 1. Nationally, physical therapy aide employment is projected to grow 2.8% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a physical therapy aide in California with an out-of-state license? Contact the Department of Consumer Affairs - Physical Therapy Board of California for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in California? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in California.
How much do physical therapy aides earn in California compared to the national average? The median annual wage for physical therapy aides in California is $38,330, which is $3,810 above the national median of $34,520 according to BLS data 1.
Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Department of Consumer Affairs - Physical Therapy Board of California - Licensing Information: https://www.ptbc.ca.gov/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |