Physical Therapists Salary in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
The median pay for a physical therapists in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA is $128,370/year ($61.72/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $86K at the entry level to $153K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 109.9), so that salary is closer to $116,806 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $4,214/month — about 55.6% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $128K get you in Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
About physical therapists
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
Entry-level physical therapists (10th percentile) start around $86K. Mid-career wages sit at $128K.Top earners bring in $153K or more - a $67K 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 Santa Cruz-Watsonville numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do physical therapists make in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
The median is $128,370 a year - that works out to about $61.72 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $85,880, and experienced physical therapists can clear $152,650. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $128K enough to live in Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,535/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $4,214/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 55.9% 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 Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
Santa Cruz-Watsonville has a Regional Price Parity of 109.9 (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 $116,806 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.