Physical Therapists Salary in California
Physical Therapists in California earn a median annual wage of $124,190 —20.9% above the national median of $102,760. That ranks CA #1 of 51 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment is only 0.85× as concentrated as the national average — this occupation is relatively scarce in California.
Highest-paying states for physical therapists
All 51 states ranked by median annual wage. California is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $124,190 | $59.71 | 26,580 | 0.85 |
| 2 | Alaska | $115,280 | $55.43 | 680 | 1.22 |
| 3 | New Jersey | $112,140 | $53.91 | 9,750 | 1.32 |
| 4 | Nevada | $111,250 | $53.48 | 2,030 | 0.76 |
| 5 | Maryland | $106,890 | $51.39 | 3,940 | 0.83 |
| 6 | New Mexico | $106,880 | $51.38 | 1,330 | 0.89 |
| 7 | Washington | $105,950 | $50.94 | 5,370 | 0.88 |
| 8 | Texas | $105,810 | $50.87 | 21,870 | 0.90 |
| 9 | Illinois | $105,250 | $50.60 | 9,800 | 0.93 |
| 10 | Connecticut | $104,360 | $50.17 | 4,060 | 1.39 |
Related occupations in California
Occupations in the same job family, compared within California.
| Occupation | California median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurses | $140,270 | $97,550 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $79,750 | $64,400 |
| Pharmacy Technicians | $55,110 | $45,750 |
| Physicians, All Other | $281,590 | $265,930 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $76,010 | $62,930 |
| Nurse Practitioners | $168,520 | $132,300 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do physical therapists make in California?
The median annual wage for physical therapists in California is $124,190, or $59.71 per hour. That is 20.9% above the national median of $102,760.
What is the entry-level physical therapists salary in California?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $85,580 per year ($41.15/hour). The 25th percentile is $100,790.
How many people work as physical therapists in California?
About 26,580 people work in this occupation in California, or 1.5 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is California a good state for physical therapists?
California ranks #1 of 51 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is only 0.85x as concentrated as the national average, so this occupation is relatively scarce in California.
Which state pays physical therapists the most?
California has the highest median wage at $124,190 per year, followed by Alaska ($115,280) and New Jersey ($112,140).