verified BLS-Verified Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2025 release

Physical Therapist Salary in California

Median Annual in California
$124,190/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$59.71/hr
▲ 21% above U.S. median

Salary Distribution in California

groups Employed in CA
26,580
public U.S. Median
$102,760
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$112,166 #6 of 51

Physical Therapist pay in California, explained

Physical therapists in California earn a median of $124,190 per year ($59.71 per hour), which is 21% above the national median of $102,760. Entry-level workers earn around $85,580, while the most experienced physical therapists reach about $163,960. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within California.

Is $124,190 good pay in California?

Adjusted for California's cost of living (which runs 111% of the U.S. average), that $124,190 is worth about $112,166 in national buying power — ranking California #6 for real pay (vs #1 on the sticker number).

See the full Physical Therapist Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Physical Therapist pay by experience in California

Entry level (10th pct)
$85,580
$41.14/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$124,190
$59.71/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$163,960
$78.83/hr

Physical Therapist pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs CA
California (here) $124,190 $112,166
Nevada $111,250 $111,273 +$12,940
Oregon $103,510 $100,144 +$20,680
Arizona $103,220 $102,526 +$20,970

Physical Therapist in California: FAQ

How much do physical therapists make in California?

Physical therapists in California earn a median of $124,190 per year ($59.71 per hour), compared with $102,760 nationally.

Does California pay physical therapists well?

At $124,190, California pays 21% above the national median for physical therapists. An estimated 26,580 work in the state.

Physical Therapist salary in other states

All 51 states ranked arrow_forward

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