Physical Therapists Salary in California
The median pay for a physical therapists in California is $123,300/year ($59.28/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $82K at the entry level to $161K for experienced workers.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $123K get you in California?
About physical therapists
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, California
Entry-level physical therapists (10th percentile) start around $82K. Mid-career wages sit at $123K.Top earners bring in $161K or more - a $79K spread from bottom to top.
Physical Therapists pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $123K | +22% | 24,380 |
| Alaska | $109K | +8% | 600 |
| New Jersey | $106K | +5% | 7,760 |
| Nevada | $105K | +4% | 1,670 |
| Oregon | $104K | +3% | 3,000 |
| Maryland | $104K | +3% | 4,420 |
| Connecticut | $104K | +3% | 4,310 |
| Texas | $104K | +3% | 18,930 |
| Illinois | $103K | +2% | 10,390 |
| Delaware | $103K | +2% | 910 |
| Rhode Island | $103K | +2% | 1,420 |
| Massachusetts | $102K | +1% | 6,600 |
| Washington | $102K | +1% | 5,460 |
| Georgia | $102K | +1% | 5,480 |
| Arizona | $102K | +1% | 4,540 |
Track physical therapists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when California numbers change.
Related careers in Healthcare
Frequently asked questions
How much do physical therapists make in California?
The median is $123,300 a year - that works out to about $59.28 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $81,910, and experienced physical therapists can clear $161,230. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $123K enough to live in California?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,285/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom in this state rents for about $2,201/month (median of metro areas), which eats 30.2% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a physical therapists salary go in California?
California has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median physical therapists salary is worth about $123,300 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do physical therapists get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.