Physical Therapist salary in California
What physical therapists earn in California and its metro areas, compared with the rest of the country.
Median pay$124,190$59.71 per hour
vs U.S.+21%U.S. median $102,760
Middle half earn$100,790 – $141,260Top 10%: $163,960+
Jobs26,5800.85× the U.S. concentration
Physical Therapist pay in California cities
Metro areas as BLS defines them. Click a column to sort.
| Metro area | Median | Hourly | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $108,170 | $52.01 | 9,750 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $141,980 | $68.26 | 3,140 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $113,850 | $54.74 | 2,680 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $120,110 | $57.74 | 2,240 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $131,430 | $63.19 | 1,610 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $139,000 | $66.83 | 1,460 |
| Fresno, CA | $123,820 | $59.53 | 620 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $116,770 | $56.14 | 550 |
| Modesto, CA | $126,600 | $60.86 | 400 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $124,260 | $59.74 | 350 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $125,490 | $60.33 | 310 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $128,680 | $61.87 | 310 |
| Vallejo, CA | $141,530 | $68.04 | 300 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $140,100 | $67.36 | 290 |
| Visalia, CA | $105,210 | $50.58 | 230 |
| Salinas, CA | $127,120 | $61.12 | 190 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $101,860 | $48.97 | 190 |
| Chico, CA | $134,970 | $64.89 | 180 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $124,790 | $60.00 | 160 |
| North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area | $121,220 | $58.28 | 160 |
| Redding, CA | $107,980 | $51.91 | 150 |
| North Coast Region of California nonmetropolitan area | $129,370 | $62.20 | 110 |
| Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area | $132,740 | $63.82 | 80 |
| El Centro, CA | $116,950 | $56.22 | 70 |
| Yuba City, CA | $106,600 | $51.25 | 70 |
| Merced, CA | $126,000 | $60.58 | 60 |
| Napa, CA | $138,540 | $66.61 | 50 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | $127,460 | $61.28 | 40 |
Hospitals and jobs in California
Physical Therapist pay in similar states
Alaska · $115,280 New Jersey · $112,140 Nevada · $111,250 Maryland · $106,890 New Mexico · $106,880 Washington · $105,950
Other healthcare salaries in California
Home Health and Personal Care Aides · $34,320 Registered Nurses · $140,270 Medical Assistants · $49,660 Nursing Assistants · $47,630 Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses · $79,750 Dental Assistants · $50,110 Pharmacy Technicians · $55,110 Pharmacists · $164,610 Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians · $76,010 Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other · $60,390 Physicians, All Other · $281,590 Nurse Practitioners · $168,520
Questions
How much does a physical therapist make in California?
Physical Therapists in California earned a median of $124,190 a year ($59.71 an hour) in May 2025, 21% more than the national median of $102,760. The middle half earned $100,790 to $141,260.
Where in California do physical therapists earn the most?
Among areas in California, pay was highest in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA at $141,980.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, all industries. Pay doesn't reflect cost of living, overtime or shift differentials.