Physical Therapist Salary in California
Median annual base pay is $116,480 across 132 reported Physical Therapist salaries in California.
Median hourly rate is $58.50 per hour.
Updated 17 June 2026
Salary Distribution (By Percentile)
| P10 | P25 | Median | P75 | P90 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $97,500 | $108,700 | $116,480 | $137,093 | $149,760 |
Salary by Experience
| Experience | Median | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| 11-15 yrs | $108,700 | 9 |
| 16-20 yrs | $117,800 | 5 |
Top Cities in California
| City | Median | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| Fremont | $156,000 | 6 |
| San Jose | $121,000 | 18 |
| San Francisco | $115,000 | 7 |
| San Diego | $114,400 | 12 |
| Los Angeles | $110,000 | 21 |
Top Employers in California
| Employer | Median | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| Interface Rehab, Inc. | $112,320 | 8 |
By Practice Setting
| Setting | Median | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| Home Health | $148,366 | 7 |
| Hospital (Acute Care) | $129,459 | 6 |
| Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) / Long-Term Care | $124,488 | 28 |
| Outpatient Clinic (Private Practice) | $114,400 | 40 |
Salary by Level
| Level | Common titles | Median | Reports |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junior / Early Career | PT I · Staff PT · Clinical Instructor | — | 1 |
| Mid-Level | PT II · Assistant Professor · Physical Therapist (GS-12) | — | 2 |
| Senior | Senior PT · Associate Professor · Senior Research PT | $104,500 | 5 |
| Lead / Expert | Lead PT · Clinical Specialist · Full Professor | $115,500 | 8 |
| Manager | Clinic Manager · Clinic Director · DPT Program Director | — | 2 |
| Director | Practice Owner · Managing Partner · Dean of Health Sciences | — | 3 |
How They're Paid
| Model | Median | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| Hourly | $121,680 | 56 |
| Annual Salary | $115,000 | 52 |
Physical Therapist salaries in other states
- Arizona
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kentucky
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Missouri
- New Jersey
- New York
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Texas
- Virginia
- Washington
Common questions
How much does a Physical Therapist make in California?
The median Physical Therapist salary in California is $116,480 per year, based on 132 reported salaries.
What is the hourly rate for a Physical Therapist in California?
The median reported rate is $58.50 per hour.
Which city in California pays Physical Therapists the most?
Fremont has the highest median at $156,000 per year, of the cities with enough reports to publish a median.
How much do Physical Therapists with 16-20 yrs of experience make in California?
$117,800 per year at the median — $1,320 above the Physical Therapist median in California.
How much does a Physical Therapist at the Lead / Expert level make in California?
$115,500 per year at the median — $980 below the Physical Therapist median in California.
Which employers pay Physical Therapists the most in California?
Of the employers with enough reports to publish a median, Interface Rehab, Inc. is highest at $112,320 per year.