PayByState

California · BLS SOC 29-1123

Physical Therapist salary in California

Median $117,660 · Top 10% earn $153,190+ · Roughly 28,839 workers in California. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

California median
$117,660
$56.57/hr
Top 10%
$153,190
90th percentile
Bottom 10%
$80,070
Entry-level range
Real pay
$103,392
CoL-adjusted (RPP 113.8)

California pays meaningfully above the U.S. median for physical therapists — $117,660 versus the national median of $99,710. After adjusting for California's high cost of living, the pay edge narrows to about $3,682 above U.S. average buying power. The state employs roughly 28,839 physical therapists.

What drives physical therapist pay in California

California PT pay is solid (median $115K+) but doesn't compensate for the state's cost of living the way Nevada's does. Outpatient orthopedic productivity quotas are tighter than national average.

Top-paying metros in California

California-area metropolitan areas with the highest physical therapist medians.

California metros

10 highest-paying metropolitan areas. Source: BLS OEWS metro tables, May 2024.

Rank Metro Median
1 San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $122,400
2 San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA $117,100
3 Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $110,200
4 Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $113,700

California ranks #5 of 50 states

Where California sits in the national distribution for physical therapist pay, and the closest comparable states above and below.

Rank State Median vs. California
#4 Nevada $119,650 +$1,990
#3 New York $119,650 +$1,990
#2 District of Columbia $120,650 +$2,990
#5 California (this page) $117,660 —
#8 New Jersey $113,670 −$3,990
#9 Oregon $113,670 −$3,990
#10 Hawaii $112,670 −$4,990
See all 50 states →

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Education path for California

The typical path is a doctor of physical therapy (dpt) + state license, taking about 36 months. Tuition ranges from $50,000 (community college) to $175,000 (private accelerated). On the California median of $117,660, payback periods are typically 2 years or less from a starting income near minimum wage.

For full credentialing detail and the realistic career outlook, see the Physical Therapist salary overview. To run your own numbers, use the ROI calculator with California selected.

Physical Therapist salary in California — FAQ

What is the average physical therapist salary in California?
The median physical therapist salary in California is $117,660 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2024). The bottom 10% earn around $80,070; the top 10% earn $153,190 or more. About 28,839 people work in this role across the state.
How does California physical therapist pay compare to the national average?
California's median of $117,660 is $17,950 above the U.S. national median of $99,710. After adjusting for California's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 113.8), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $103,392.
Where does California pay physical therapists the most?
Top-paying metros in California include San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara at $122,400, San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley at $117,100, Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim at $110,200. These metros consistently pay 10–25% above the state median due to higher concentration of large hospital systems and specialty employers.
Is physical therapist a good career in California?
On the data: California employs roughly 28,839 physical therapists, with a median wage of $117,660 and the top decile clearing $153,190. The role is projected to grow +15% nationally over the next decade. Whether it's "good" for you depends on whether the work suits you and whether you're positioned for the in-state metros that pay above the median.
What's the hourly rate for physical therapists in California?
At the California median of $117,660 annually, the equivalent hourly rate is approximately $56.57/hr. The top 10% earn around $73.65/hr, while entry-level roles typically pay $38.50/hr or slightly above.

Methodology note

California-level wage data sourced from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024 release (SOC 29-1123: Physical Therapists), with state pay indexes from BLS area-comparison tables. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parities, 2023 release, where California's RPP is 113.8 (U.S. = 100). Last reviewed: May 2026.