Physical Therapist salary in California
Physical Therapists in California earn a median of $124,190 a year ($59.71 an hour), based on BLS data for 26,580 workers.
Pay ranges from $85,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $163,960 for the top 10%. That is 21% higher than the national median of $102,760. California ranks 1st of 51 states for physical therapists pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 1.5 physical therapists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $122,580, close to the median.
Pay range for physical therapists in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $85,580 | $41.15 |
| 25th percentile | $100,790 | $48.46 |
| Median | $124,190 | $59.71 |
| 75th percentile | $141,260 | $67.91 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $163,960 | $78.83 |
| Average (mean) | $122,580 | $58.93 |
Half of physical therapists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $10,349.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,174.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,776.54 |
| Weekly | $2,388.27 |
| Hourly | $59.71 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Physical Therapist salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $141,980 | 3,140 |
| Vallejo, CA | $141,530 | 300 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $140,100 | 290 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $139,000 | 1,460 |
| Napa, CA | $138,540 | 50 |
| Chico, CA | $134,970 | 180 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $131,430 | 1,610 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $128,680 | 310 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | $127,460 | 40 |
| Salinas, CA | $127,120 | 190 |
| Modesto, CA | $126,600 | 400 |
| Merced, CA | $126,000 | 60 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $125,490 | 310 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $124,790 | 160 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $124,260 | 350 |
| Fresno, CA | $123,820 | 620 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $120,110 | 2,240 |
| El Centro, CA | $116,950 | 70 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $116,770 | 550 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $113,850 | 2,680 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $108,170 | 9,750 |
| Redding, CA | $107,980 | 150 |
| Yuba City, CA | $106,600 | 70 |
| Visalia, CA | $105,210 | 230 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $101,860 | 190 |
Highest-paying states for physical therapists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $124,190 |
| Alaska | $115,280 |
| New Jersey | $112,140 |
| Nevada | $111,250 |
| Maryland | $106,890 |
| New Mexico | $106,880 |
| Washington | $105,950 |
| Texas | $105,810 |
| Illinois | $105,250 |
| Connecticut | $104,360 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $140,270 | $67.44 |
| Pharmacist | $164,610 | $79.14 |
| Physicians, All Other | $281,590 | $135.38 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $168,520 | $81.02 |
| Dental Hygienist | $124,930 | $60.06 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $104,820 | $50.40 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $118,970 | $57.20 |
| Dentists, General | $165,950 | $79.79 |
| Occupational Therapist | $124,510 | $59.86 |
| Physician Assistant | $165,650 | $79.64 |
| Veterinarian | $163,920 | $78.81 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $98,850 | $47.52 |
| Optometrist | $136,300 | $65.53 |
| Pediatricians, General | $214,140 | $102.95 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1123. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a physical therapist make in California?
The median salary for physical therapists in California is $124,190 a year, or $59.71 an hour. Pay ranges from $85,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $163,960 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physical therapists make in California?
The top 10% of physical therapists in California earn at least $163,960 a year. The top 25% earn $141,260 or more.
What is the starting pay for physical therapists in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $85,580 a year, and a quarter of physical therapists earn $100,790 or less.
How many physical therapists work in California?
About 26,580 physical therapists are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.