How Much Does a Physical Therapist Make in California in 2026?

A typical Physical Therapist in California earns about $59.71 per hour ($124,190 per year), according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). Calculated from the annual figure, that comes to roughly $10,349 a month or $2,388 a week. These figures represent typical pay across the state, covering PTs in hospitals, outpatient clinics, and other settings.

That typical pay runs 21% above the national figure of $102,760 a year, and California ranks 1st among all 51 states and D.C. for Physical Therapist pay. The state employs 26,580 Physical Therapists, one of the larger workforces in the country. For PTs weighing where to practice, California offers the highest typical pay in the nation, though higher living costs often come with it.

Entry-level positions in California typically offer around $41.15 an hour, or about $85,580 a year, according to May 2025 wage data. Pay tends to move toward the state's typical pay of $124,190 within the first several years on the job. Newly licensed PTs often start in outpatient orthopedic or skilled nursing settings before moving into higher-paying specialties. Early career pay reflects fewer years of clinical experience rather than lower skill.

Experienced Physical Therapists in California often earn upwards of $67.91 an hour ($141,260 a year), and the top 10% of earners make over $78.83 an hour, or $163,960 a year. That leaves a spread of $78,380 between entry-level and top pay. Setting, years of experience, and city all play a part in where an individual PT lands within that range.

California's typical Physical Therapist pay rose from $94,190 in 2015 to $124,190 in 2025, a gain of $30,000. That is a 32% increase over the decade, according to the latest government wage data. Pay climbed nearly every year during that stretch, dipping only once in 2021 before resuming its climb.

Nationally, Physical Therapist pay rose 22% over the same decade, meaning California's gains outpaced the national trend. That gap has widened California's edge over other states rather than narrowing it. For someone starting a PT career in California today, that decade of rising pay shows a pattern of increases, though it makes no promises about the years ahead.

Pay runs highest in the San Francisco Bay Area. Oakland, Fremont, and San Francisco share the top spot, with typical pay of $141,980 a year ($68.26 an hour), which is 14% above the state figure. San Jose and Santa Clara follow close behind at $139,000 a year. These figures cover each city's full metro area.

San Luis Obispo sits at the low end among California cities, with typical pay of $101,860 a year ($48.97 an hour), a spread of $40,120 between the highest- and lowest-paying cities in the state. Los Angeles holds the largest Physical Therapist workforce among California cities, with 9,750 employed at a typical $108,170 a year ($52.01 an hour). Higher pay in cities like Oakland and San Francisco generally tracks their higher cost of living.

California's Physical Therapist pay outpaces its neighbors by a wide margin. Nevada's typical pay is $111,250 a year, 10% lower than California, while Oregon and Arizona both come in 17% lower, at $103,510 and $103,220 respectively. Licensure for Physical Therapists can often be transferred or endorsed between neighboring states, making a move across state lines a realistic option for PTs weighing pay differences.

Physical Therapists in California typically earn $124,190 a year ($59.71 an hour), pay that has risen 32% over the past decade and sits well above the national figure. That places California 1st among all states for Physical Therapist pay. For specific requirements, check California's physical therapy licensing board page, and for local detail, see the city-level pages covering Oakland, Los Angeles, San Diego, and other California metro areas.