Physical Therapist Assistant salary in Chico, CA
Physical Therapist Assistants in the Chico, CA metro area earn a median of $76,580 a year ($36.82 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,260 for the top 10%. That is 12% higher than the national median of $68,380. Pay here is 8% lower than the California statewide median of $83,110. There are 1.3 physical therapist assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $70,460, close to the median.
Pay range for physical therapist assistants in Chico, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,440 | $22.33 |
| 25th percentile | $46,440 | $22.33 |
| Median | $76,580 | $36.82 |
| 75th percentile | $90,500 | $43.51 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $97,260 | $46.76 |
| Average (mean) | $70,460 | $33.88 |
Half of physical therapist assistants 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 | $6,381.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,190.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,945.38 |
| Weekly | $1,472.69 |
| Hourly | $36.82 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Physical Therapist Assistant salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $97,190 | 400 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $95,920 | 1,040 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $87,330 | 60 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $87,300 | 90 |
| Vallejo, CA | $86,630 | 50 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $85,150 | 100 |
| Salinas, CA | $84,850 | 70 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $84,290 | 570 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $84,100 | 150 |
| Modesto, CA | $83,450 | 150 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $82,160 | 870 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $82,140 | 3,730 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $81,310 | 160 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $79,480 | 210 |
| Visalia, CA | $79,440 | 100 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $79,210 | 860 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $78,990 | 70 |
| Redding, CA | $77,740 | 60 |
| Fresno, CA | $77,000 | 220 |
| Yuba City, CA | $73,580 | 30 |
Highest-paying states for physical therapist assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $83,110 |
| Massachusetts | $79,460 |
| New Jersey | $78,440 |
| Texas | $78,000 |
| Maryland | $77,670 |
| Alaska | $77,640 |
| Connecticut | $75,880 |
| Nevada | $75,520 |
| Delaware | $74,610 |
| Virginia | $73,760 |
See Physical Therapist Assistant pay in every state or the California statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chico, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Aide | $38,230 | $18.38 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $34,320 | $16.50 |
| Nursing Assistant | $46,380 | $22.30 |
| Medical Assistant | $47,150 | $22.67 |
| Dental Assistant | $48,170 | $23.16 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $50,580 | $24.32 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $50,020 | $24.05 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $43,830 | $21.07 |
| Phlebotomist | $59,100 | $28.42 |
| Massage Therapist | $63,290 | $30.43 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $39,980 | $19.22 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $46,870 | $22.53 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Chico, CA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-2021. 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 assistant make in Chico, CA?
The median salary for physical therapist assistants in the Chico, CA metro area is $76,580 a year, or $36.82 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,260 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physical therapist assistants make in Chico, CA?
The top 10% of physical therapist assistants in the Chico, CA metro area earn at least $97,260 a year. The top 25% earn $90,500 or more.
What is the starting pay for physical therapist assistants in Chico, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,440 a year, and a quarter of physical therapist assistants earn $46,440 or less.
How many physical therapist assistants work in Chico, CA?
About 100 physical therapist assistants are employed in the Chico, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.