Physical Therapists pay in California
In California, the median pay for physical therapists is $59.71 an hour ($124,190 a year). About 26,580 people work in this job there.
That is 21% higher than the U.S. median ($102,760). California ranks 1st of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for physical therapists in California
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $41.15 | $85,580 |
| 25% of workers | $48.46 | $100,790 |
| Half of workers (median) | $59.71 | $124,190 |
| 75% of workers | $67.91 | $141,260 |
| 90% of workers | $78.83 | $163,960 |
Physical Therapists pay in California metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | $141,980 | 3,140 |
| Vallejo | $141,530 | 300 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma | $140,100 | 290 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | $139,000 | 1,460 |
| Napa | $138,540 | 50 |
| Chico | $134,970 | 180 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $131,430 | 1,610 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | $128,680 | 310 |
| Hanford-Corcoran | $127,460 | 40 |
| Salinas | $127,120 | 190 |
| Modesto | $126,600 | 400 |
| Merced | $126,000 | 60 |
| Bakersfield-Delano | $125,490 | 310 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville | $124,790 | 160 |
| Stockton-Lodi | $124,260 | 350 |
| Fresno | $123,820 | 620 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $120,110 | 2,240 |
| El Centro | $116,950 | 70 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | $116,770 | 550 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $113,850 | 2,680 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $108,170 | 9,750 |
| Redding | $107,980 | 150 |
| Yuba City | $106,600 | 70 |
| Visalia | $105,210 | 230 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles | $101,860 | 190 |
California unemployment rate: 5.1% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for physical therapists
- Typical education to start: Doctoral or professional degree (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 3 to 6 months (O*NET)
- Job outlook: +11.9% over ten years, much faster than average · about 13,400 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurses | $140,270 |
| Physicians, All Other | $281,590 |
| Occupational Therapists | $124,510 |
| Physical Therapist Assistants | $83,110 |
| Physical Therapist Aides | $38,330 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistants | $81,770 |
| Recreational Therapists | $98,170 |
| Pharmacists | $164,610 |
Other job titles for this job
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.