Physical Therapist Assistant salary in Modesto, CA
Physical Therapist Assistants in the Modesto, CA metro area earn a median of $83,450 a year ($40.12 an hour), based on BLS data for 150 workers.
Pay ranges from $58,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $127,640 for the top 10%. That is 22% higher than the national median of $68,380. Pay here is about the same as the California statewide median of $83,110. There are 0.79 physical therapist assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $85,950, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physical therapist assistants in Modesto, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $58,800 | $28.27 |
| 25th percentile | $73,930 | $35.55 |
| Median | $83,450 | $40.12 |
| 75th percentile | $100,050 | $48.10 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $127,640 | $61.37 |
| Average (mean) | $85,950 | $41.32 |
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 | $6,954.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,477.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,209.62 |
| Weekly | $1,604.81 |
| Hourly | $40.12 |
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 |
| 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 |
| Chico, CA | $76,580 | 100 |
| 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 Modesto, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Aide | $36,640 | $17.62 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $96,210 | $46.25 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $34,320 | $16.50 |
| Medical Assistant | $49,990 | $24.04 |
| Nursing Assistant | $46,550 | $22.38 |
| Dental Assistant | $50,170 | $24.12 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $45,560 | $21.90 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $55,430 | $26.65 |
| Phlebotomist | $51,960 | $24.98 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $36,730 | $17.66 |
| Orderly | $49,890 | $23.99 |
| Massage Therapist | $45,360 | $21.81 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $48,490 | $23.31 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Modesto, 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 Modesto, CA?
The median salary for physical therapist assistants in the Modesto, CA metro area is $83,450 a year, or $40.12 an hour. Pay ranges from $58,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $127,640 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physical therapist assistants make in Modesto, CA?
The top 10% of physical therapist assistants in the Modesto, CA metro area earn at least $127,640 a year. The top 25% earn $100,050 or more.
What is the starting pay for physical therapist assistants in Modesto, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $58,800 a year, and a quarter of physical therapist assistants earn $73,930 or less.
How many physical therapist assistants work in Modesto, CA?
About 150 physical therapist assistants are employed in the Modesto, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.