Physical Therapists Salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
The median pay for a physical therapists in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA is $137,250/year ($65.98/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $105K at the entry level to $175K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 110.42), so that salary is closer to $124,298 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,483/month — about 43% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $137K get you in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
About physical therapists
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Entry-level physical therapists (10th percentile) start around $105K. Mid-career wages sit at $137K.Top earners bring in $175K or more - a $70K 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 San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do physical therapists make in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
The median is $137,250 a year - that works out to about $65.98 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $105,240, and experienced physical therapists can clear $175,410. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $137K enough to live in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,972/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,483/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 43.7% 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 San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara has a Regional Price Parity of 110.42 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median physical therapists salary is worth about $124,298 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.