Physical Therapy Technician Jobs in California

California PT Tech Job Market

California offers exceptional opportunities for Physical Therapy Technicians, with salaries +21% vs national vs the national average and access to top rehabilitation facilities.

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Strong Demand

6,200+ PT Tech positions open annually across California. Population density (highest in US) drives consistent healthcare demand.

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Premium Pay

$42,680 average salary, +21% vs national vs national. Metro California pays even higher—up to $55,500 at top facilities.

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Elite Facilities

Home to Kaiser Permanente and other leading healthcare facilities across California.

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Career Growth

Major employers offer tuition reimbursement for PT Techs pursuing PTA degrees. Clear advancement pathways available.

What Physical Therapy Technicians Do

PT Techs work under the direct supervision of licensed Physical Therapists, providing essential support for patient care and clinic operations.

✓ Daily PT Tech Responsibilities

● Patient Exercise Assistance: Guide patients through therapeutic exercises prescribed by the PT, ensuring proper form and safety
● Treatment Preparation: Set up treatment areas, prepare equipment, apply hot/cold packs, and ready modalities like ultrasound
● Patient Transfers: Assist patients with mobility, transfers between surfaces, and safe ambulation with devices
● Equipment Maintenance: Clean, sanitize, and maintain therapy equipment; report any malfunctions
● Documentation Support: Record patient attendance, exercise completion, and observations for PT review
● Patient Transport: Escort patients to and from treatment areas; assist with wheelchairs and walkers

🏥 Work Settings in California

● Outpatient PT Clinics: Most common setting—Stanford Health Care alone has 100+ CA locations. Regular hours, diverse patient cases.
● Inpatient Rehabilitation: Kaiser Permanente and hospital rehab units. Complex cases including stroke, TBI, spinal cord injuries.
● Hospital PT Departments: Acute care settings at major systems like Hackensack Meridian and Cedars-Sinai.
● Skilled Nursing Facilities: Post-acute rehabilitation for elderly patients. Consistent schedules, growing demand.
● Sports Medicine: Athletic training facilities, sports PT clinics. Work with athletes at all levels.
● Home Health: Travel to patient homes. Higher pay, mileage reimbursement, flexible scheduling.

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PT Tech vs. Other Healthcare Roles

Physical Therapy Technicians focus specifically on PT support tasks. PT Techs do not perform clinical tasks like blood draws, EKGs, medication administration, or wound care—those are performed by nurses, PCTs, or medical assistants. PT Techs work exclusively within the physical therapy department under PT supervision.

Top PT Tech Employers in California

California's largest health systems and rehabilitation facilities are actively hiring PT Techs. These employers offer competitive pay, benefits, and career advancement opportunities.

Kaiser Permanente

California's Largest

Statewide

Largest HMO, extensive PT services

800-464-4000 View Jobs →

Dignity Health

Healthcare Leader

San Francisco/Statewide

Major Catholic health system

415-438-5500 View Jobs →

Cedars-Sinai

Regional Provider

Los Angeles

Premier LA medical center

310-423-3277 View Jobs →

Stanford Health Care

Academic

Palo Alto

Academic medicine leader

650-723-4000 View Jobs →

ATI Physical Therapy

Established Provider

Statewide

Major outpatient PT chain

855-692-8448 View Jobs →

Sutter Health

Rural California

Rural areas

Major Northern CA health system

855-398-1631 View Jobs →

PT Tech Salaries Across California

Salaries vary across California regions. Metro California typically pays highest, while Rural California offers different cost-of-living dynamics.

Metro California

Major metro areas

$49K-$53K

Highest wages, urban centers

Suburban California

Suburban counties

$42K-$49K

Balanced cost/salary

Central California

Central regions

$38K-$44K

Growing healthcare sector

Rural California

Rural areas

$36K-$40K

Lower COL, community focus

Pro Tip: While Metro California pays highest, Rural California's lower housing costs often result in similar take-home purchasing power. Consider total compensation including benefits, commute time, and quality of life.

How to Land a PT Tech Job in California

Follow these proven strategies to stand out in California's competitive PT Tech job market.

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1. Get Certified

Complete PT Tech training and earn your CPR/BLS certification. AMCA certification significantly improves your competitiveness, especially at top facilities like Kaiser Permanente.

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2. Target Top Employers

Apply directly to major health systems. Kaiser Permanente, Dignity Health, and Cedars-Sinai have dedicated PT department hiring. Check their career pages regularly.

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3. Network Locally

Attend CA Physical Therapy Association events. Connect with PTs during your externship. Many PT Tech positions are filled through referrals before being posted publicly.

Ready to Start Your PT Tech Career?

Complete EHired's free PT Tech training program and gain the skills California employers are looking for.

Start Free Training Today

Make a one-time payment when you're ready to challenge for certification and start working

Frequently Asked Questions

What do Physical Therapy Technicians do on the job in California?

PT Techs in California prepare treatment areas and equipment, assist patients with therapeutic exercises under PT supervision, help with patient transfers and mobility, apply hot/cold packs, set up treatment modalities like ultrasound and electrical stimulation, transport patients, maintain equipment, and document patient progress. They work under the direct supervision of licensed Physical Therapists.

Which employers hire the most PT Techs in California?

Major PT Tech employers in California include Kaiser Permanente (#4 ranked nationally), Dignity Health (CA's largest system), Cedars-Sinai, Stanford Health Care (largest private PT practice in tristate), ATI Physical Therapy, and Sutter Health. Hospital systems, outpatient PT clinics, and rehabilitation centers are the primary employers.

How much do PT Techs earn in California?

Physical Therapy Technicians in California earn an average of $42,680 per year (+21% vs national). Entry-level positions start around $30,300, experienced PT Techs earn $49,500+, and top earners at leading facilities can reach $55,500+. Metro California generally pays highest in the state.

What settings do PT Techs work in?

California PT Techs work in outpatient physical therapy clinics, hospital rehabilitation departments, inpatient rehabilitation facilities, skilled nursing facilities, sports medicine centers, home health agencies, and specialty practices like pediatric or neurological PT. Outpatient clinics are the most common setting, followed by hospital-based positions.

Do I need certification to get a PT Tech job in California?

California does not require state licensure for PT Techs—you work under PT supervision. However, employers strongly prefer candidates with formal training and CPR/BLS certification. AMCA certification demonstrates competency and significantly improves job prospects, especially at competitive employers like Kaiser Permanente and major health systems.