Salaries › Physical Therapist › California
Physical Therapist Salary in California (2026)
$59.71 per hour · take-home ≈ $88,677/year ($7,390/month) for a single filer
California is the highest-paying state in the country for Physical Therapists, with a median about 19% above the national average. Of the 26,580 Physical Therapist jobs BLS counts in California, the typical worker earns $124,190 a year — though pay ranges from $85,580 for newcomers to $163,960 at the top.
Physical Therapist pay range in California
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $85,580 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $100,790 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $124,190 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $141,260 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $163,960 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 26,580 Physical Therapist jobs in California (occupation code 29-1123, “Physical Therapists”).
Gross vs. take-home in California
A median Physical Therapist salary of $124,190 doesn’t all reach your bank account. After federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare, plus California state income tax, a single filer keeps about $88,677 — an effective tax rate of 28.6%.
| Gross (median) | $124,190 |
| Federal income tax | −$18,540 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$9,501 |
| California state income tax | −$7,473 |
| Take-home (annual) | $88,677 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $7,390 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free California paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Physical Therapist make in California?
- The median Physical Therapist salary in California is $124,190 per year ($59.71 per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $100,790 and $141,260.
- What is the take-home pay for a Physical Therapist in California?
- On the median salary of $124,190, a single filer in California takes home about $88,677 per year ($7,390 per month) after federal tax, FICA, and state income tax — an effective tax rate of 28.6%.
- How many Physical Therapist jobs are there in California?
- BLS counts 26,580 Physical Therapist jobs in California in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for Physical Therapists
Other salaries in California
Sources and methodology
Wage and employment figures: BLS OEWS May 2025 (state file, released April 2026) — the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey, the most authoritative public salary dataset. Take-home estimate: 2026 federal brackets, FICA, and verified California state tax rules (single filer, standard deduction, no credits or local taxes). Estimates only — not financial advice.
- BLS OEWS — official occupational wage data.
- PaycheckTally — interactive 2026 take-home calculator for California.