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Activity Therapy Assistant Salary in California

How much does an Activity Therapy Assistant make in California? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Activity Therapy Assistant in California is $73,603 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $35.

However, an Activity Therapy Assistant's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $81,182
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $66,135 to $77,570
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $59,335
Salary Factors Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Activity Therapy Assistant Job Openings in California

Key Factors That Influence Activity Therapy Assistant Salaries

An Activity Therapy Assistant's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Activity Therapy Assistant Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Activity Therapy Assistant's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $72,777
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $41,466
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $119,808
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $128,114
  • Expert (over 8 years): $169,737
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Activity Therapy Assistant less than 1 year $72,777
Physical Therapy Attendant 1-2 years $41,466
Physical Therapy Supervisor 2-4 years $119,808
Physical Therapy Manager 5-8 years $128,114
Physical Therapy Director over 8 years $169,737

How Do Activity Therapy Assistant Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Activity Therapy Assistants. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $73,883.
  • California: $73,603.
  • Massachusetts: $72,622.

Top Paying Cities for Activity Therapy Assistant

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • Los Angeles: $73,730
  • West Hollywood: $73,676
  • Dodgertown: $73,729

Activity Therapy Assistant Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Activity Therapy Assistant roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Healthcare, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Activity Therapy Assistant positions in Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Activity Therapy Assistant as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for an Activity Therapy Assistant

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare $88,324 $42.0 20%

Activity Therapy Assistant Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Activity Therapy Assistant's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$66,135
Average $73,603/year
$77,570
$5,511
Average $6,134/month
$6,464
$1,272
Average $1,415/week
$1,492
$32
Average $35/hour
$37
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $77,570 $6,464 $1,492 $37
Average $73,603 $6,134 $1,415 $35
25th Percentile $66,135 $5,511 $1,272 $32

Find Your Next Activity Therapy Assistant Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Activity Therapy Assistant job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

  • Oakmont Senior Living | Valencia, CA

    Activity Assistant

    Oakmont Senior Living | Valencia, CA

    Activity Assistant - Hiring ImmediatelyShifts, Time, and Days: Full-Time, Sunday-Thursday, 9:00am - 5:00pmPay Range: $18.47Oakmont of Valencia is a premier... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Oakmont Senior Living | Escondido, CA

    Activity Assistant

    Oakmont Senior Living | Escondido, CA

    Oakmont Senior Living - - Responsibilities: Assist the Activity Director in providing an interesting, creative, and rewarding social atmosphere throughout ... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Oakmont Senior Living | Novato, CA

    Activity Assistant

    Oakmont Senior Living | Novato, CA

    Oakmont Senior Living - - Responsibilities: Assist the Activity Director in providing a creative and rewarding social atmosphere throughout the Community. ... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Oakmont Senior Living | Carlsbad, CA

    Activity Assistant

    Oakmont Senior Living | Carlsbad, CA

    Oakmont Senior Living - - Responsibilities: Assist Activity Director in organizing activities. Coordinate and promote resident participation. Recruit and s... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Oakmont Senior Living | Roseville, CA

    Activity Assistant

    Oakmont Senior Living | Roseville, CA

    Oakmont Senior Living - - Responsibilities: Assist with organizing, scheduling, promoting, and directing activities. Promote resident participation through... more

    9 Days Ago

  • 3B Healthcare, Inc. | Bakersfield, CA

    Occupational Therapy Assistant

    3B Healthcare, Inc. | Bakersfield, CA

    Occupational Therapy Assistant. Central to all that California has to offer, Adventist Health Bakersfield has been providing an extraordinary team of world... more

    8 Days Ago

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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