Physical Therapists Pay Range in California
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$85,580
- 25th Percentile — Junior$100,790
- 50th Percentile — Median$124,190
- 75th Percentile — Senior$141,260
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$163,960
Half of Physical Therapists in California earn more than $124,190. The top 10% make $163,960 or more, while entry-level workers start around $85,580.
Physical Therapists in California: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- California ranks 1st of 51 states for Physical Therapists pay, at $122,580 per year (16.4% above the U.S. average of $105,280).
- 26,580 people work as Physical Therapists in California — 9.9% of all U.S. Physical Therapists jobs.
- Location quotient 0.85: Physical Therapists jobs are less concentrated in California than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $85,580; the top 10% earn over $163,960.
- Hourly equivalent: $58.93 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- Among healthcare jobs in California, Psychiatrists pays the most ($315,380).
Physical Therapists Job Market in California
Key factors affecting compensation
California's key industries are Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. Physical Therapists here earn $122,580 on average, placing the state 1st nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.42 (U.S. = 1.00), a California salary of $122,580 is roughly equivalent to $86,324 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Nevada ($120,700), Alaska ($115,830), New Jersey ($114,550) are the closest alternatives for Physical Therapists weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Healthcare Jobs in California
Related career salary benchmarks
- Psychiatrists $315,380/yr California +157.3% vs this role
- Radiologists $309,990/yr California +152.9% vs this role
- Nurse Anesthetists $283,780/yr California +131.5% vs this role
- General Internal Medicine Physicians $273,270/yr California +122.9% vs this role
- Obstetricians and Gynecologists $272,520/yr California +122.3% vs this role
- Surgeons All Other $255,620/yr California +108.5% vs this role
- Family Medicine Physicians $252,930/yr California +106.3% vs this role
- Physicians All Other $249,620/yr California +103.6% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Physical Therapists salary in California?
The average Physical Therapists salary in California is $122,580 per year (median $124,190), which is 16.4% above the national average of $105,280.
How does California rank for Physical Therapists pay?
California ranks 1st out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is California ($122,580/yr).
How much do entry-level Physical Therapists make in California?
The lowest-paid 10% of Physical Therapists in California earn about $85,580 per year and the 25th percentile is $100,790.
How much do Physical Therapists make per hour in California?
About $58.93 per hour, based on the $122,580 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Physical Therapists work in California?
BLS counts 26,580 Physical Therapists jobs in California (OEWS May 2025).
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