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2026 Salary Data — Fresno, CA
Updated April 28, 2026

Physical Therapist Salary in Fresno: $95K Median

Physical Therapists in Fresno, CA earn between $71K and $124K per year.

That's -5% below the US national median of $99,710 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Physical Therapist salary in Fresno, CA is $94,725 per year — -5% below the US national median of $99,710. Salaries range from $71,250 (entry, 25th percentile) to $123,500 (90th percentile). Physical Therapists in Fresno earned approximately $14,352 in 2025, representing 560.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$94,725
+560.0% YoY · $7,894/mo
Entry
$74,100
0–2 years
Experienced
$109,250
5+ years
Top 10%
$123,500
Senior/lead
Physical Therapist Salary — Fresno vs Nearby
Fresno
$95K
Los Angeles
$128K
-26% vs Fresno
San Diego
$118K
-19% vs Fresno
San Francisco
$155K
-39% vs Fresno

Free ATS scan · Fresno employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Physical Therapists in Fresno

Physical therapists help patients recover mobility and manage pain through evidence-based treatment plans, manual therapy, and exercise.

Core Responsibilities

  • Patient evaluation
  • Treatment planning
  • Manual therapy
  • Exercise prescription
  • Documentation

Education & Certifications

Typical path: Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)

In-demand certifications

DPTOCS (Orthopedic Specialist)SCS (Sports)NCS (Neurologic)

Fresno Job Market

Agriculture capital with growing healthcare and logistics sectors.

Population
543K
Cost of Living
105
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
6.5%
Median Home
$380K

Top Industries in Fresno

AgricultureHealthcareManufacturingLogisticsGovernment

Top Employers Hiring Physical Therapists

Major employers active in Fresno or hiring remotely from this metro.

Hospital systems
Outpatient clinics
Sports medicine practices
Home health agencies
Schools

All major employers use ATS software.

Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, and iCIMS auto-screen 75% of resumes before a human ever sees them. Scan your resume free to see your match rate.

2026 Hot Skills & Resume Keywords

Skills that command salary premiums and pass ATS keyword filters.

Hottest 2026 Skills

These appear in the highest-paying Physical Therapist listings.

Telehealth PTSports medicinePelvic healthManual therapy specialtyDirect access

ATS Resume Keywords

Include these naturally throughout your resume.

DPTmanual therapypatient evaluationorthopedicsports rehabilitationEMR (WebPT)evidence-based practice
Career Outlook
+14% Growth Projected (2024-2034)

PT employment projected to grow 14% — among fastest-growing health professions due to aging population.

Physical Therapist Salary Breakdown — Fresno

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$71,250$94,725$123,500
Monthly$5,938$7,894$10,292
Weekly$1,370$1,822$2,375
Hourly$34$46$59

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($99,710) adjusted for Fresno's cost-of-living multiplier (0.95×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Physical Therapist Take-Home Pay in Fresno

After federal, state and FICA taxes — single filer, standard deduction.

Net Annual Take-Home
$69,727.163
Per month$5,811
Biweekly paycheck$2,682
Effective tax rate26.4%

Tax Breakdown on $94,725

Gross salary$94,725
Federal income tax−$12,541.5
California state tax−$5,209.875
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$7,246.463
Take-home (net)$69,727.163

Estimates assume single filer, standard deduction ($14,600 for 2026), no 401(k)/HSA/dependents. Actual take-home varies with deductions, dependents, and benefits elections. Not tax advice.

Physical Therapist Salary by Experience — Fresno

Career-stage progression for Physical Therapists in Fresno.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$68,172
2–3 yr$74,100
4–6 yr$91,675
7–10 yr$109,250
11–15 yr$128,915
15+ yr$116,375

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Fresno's 0.95× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+560.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$14,352
2026 median:$94,725
Change:+$80,373

Healthcare sector growth driven by demand for Telehealth PT and Sports medicine.

Is This A Good Salary?

Solid above median

Real purchasing power lands comfortably above the national middle-class threshold once cost of living is factored in. Homeownership and meaningful retirement savings are achievable on a single income.

COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$90,214
Solidly middle-class on the median - manageable, but disciplined budgeting is needed to save aggressively or buy a home.

How to Negotiate Your Physical Therapist Salary in Fresno

Walk-away anchor: $86,114 (offers below this are below market for Fresno).

Leverage Points

  • Specialty certifications (CCRN, OCS, BCPS, FNP) command 8-15% premiums
  • Compact license / multi-state authority and willingness to float between units
  • Night, weekend, and holiday shift differentials add up to $10K-$25K annually
  • Critical-shortage specialties (ICU, ER, NICU, oncology) have the most leverage

Beyond Base Salary, Negotiate

Sign-on bonus ($10K-$30K, often $50K+ for hard-to-fill roles)Tuition reimbursement and certification stipendsLoan repayment programs (especially federal/HRSA-eligible)Shift differentials (nights +15%, weekends +10%)Relocation package and housing stipend

What To Say

"Given the current shortage in this specialty and my certifications, I'm looking for $X base plus shift differential and a sign-on bonus. What flexibility do you have on those line items?"

Anchor on $109K–$124K for experienced roles, citing Fresno market data and your specific Telehealth PT/Sports medicine expertise.

Physical Therapist Salary FAQ — Fresno

What is the average Physical Therapist salary in Fresno, CA?
The average Physical Therapist salary in Fresno is $94,725 per year as of April 2026 — $7,894/month, $1,822/week, or about $46/hour. Salaries range from $71,250 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $123,500 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Fresno's cost-of-living multiplier (0.95×).
Is $94,725 a good Physical Therapist salary in Fresno?
Solid above median. Real purchasing power lands comfortably above the national middle-class threshold once cost of living is factored in. Homeownership and meaningful retirement savings are achievable on a single income. Fresno's cost-of-living index is 105 (vs 100 nationally), giving $94,725 a real purchasing power of approximately $90,214 in national terms. Solidly middle-class on the median - manageable, but disciplined budgeting is needed to save aggressively or buy a home.
Can you live on $94,725 in Fresno?
Dual-income households support a comfortable family lifestyle. Single-earner families on the median may need to compromise on neighborhood, square footage, or college savings. Aim for 28-30% of pre-tax income on rent. The classic 30% rule still works here, though housing costs are creeping up faster than wages. For Fresno specifically (median home price $380,000), a $94,725 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $94,725 enough for a single person in Fresno?
A single adult in Fresno typically needs ~$47,250 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $94,725 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $94,725 enough for a couple in Fresno?
A couple (one earner) in Fresno typically needs ~$75,600 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $94,725 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $94,725 each ($189,450 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $94,725 enough for a family of 4 in Fresno?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Fresno typically needs ~$115,500 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $94,725 salary as the sole household income is below the comfortable threshold — most families need a second income or to live in cheaper suburbs/exurbs of Fresno. Childcare costs in Fresno typically run $16K-$29K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Physical Therapist in Fresno?
On a $94,725 Physical Therapist salary in Fresno, CA, you take home approximately $69,727.163 per year ($5,811/month, $2,682 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $12,541.5, state $5,209.875, FICA $7,246.463. Effective tax rate: 26.4%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Physical Therapists in Fresno earn compared to the US average?
Physical Therapists in Fresno earn approximately 5% less than the US national median for this role ($99,710 nationally vs $94,725 in Fresno). However, Fresno's cost-of-living index of 105 means real purchasing power is approximately $90,214 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Physical Therapist earn in Fresno?
Entry-level Physical Therapists in Fresno typically start at around $74,100 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Physical Therapists earn $109,250 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $123,500+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Physical Therapist salaries in Fresno increase in 2026?
Yes — Physical Therapist salaries in Fresno grew approximately 560.0% year-over-year, from $14,352 in 2025 to $94,725 in 2026 (+$80,373). This reflects the broader Healthcare sector's compensation trend, driven by Telehealth PT and Sports medicine demand.
What's the job outlook for Physical Therapists in Fresno?
PT employment projected to grow 14% — among fastest-growing health professions due to aging population. Fresno's top industries include Agriculture, Healthcare, Manufacturing, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 6.5% — steady demand for skilled workers.
What skills are most in demand for Physical Therapists in 2026?
The hottest 2026 skills for Physical Therapists are: Telehealth PT, Sports medicine, Pelvic health, Manual therapy specialty, Direct access. ATS systems specifically scan for these keywords. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — significantly improves your match rate with employers in Fresno.
Who are the top employers hiring Physical Therapists in Fresno?
Top employers hiring Physical Therapists in or near Fresno include: Hospital systems, Outpatient clinics, Sports medicine practices, Home health agencies, Schools. Most use ATS software (Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, iCIMS) to screen resumes — meaning your resume must be ATS-optimized to even get a human reader.
How do I negotiate a higher Physical Therapist salary in Fresno?
Given the current shortage in this specialty and my certifications, I'm looking for $X base plus shift differential and a sign-on bonus. What flexibility do you have on those line items? Key leverage points for Healthcare negotiations: Specialty certifications (CCRN, OCS, BCPS, FNP) command 8-15% premiums; Compact license / multi-state authority and willingness to float between units; Night, weekend, and holiday shift differentials add up to $10K-$25K annually. Beyond base salary, negotiate for: Sign-on bonus ($10K-$30K, often $50K+ for hard-to-fill roles), Tuition reimbursement and certification stipends, Loan repayment programs (especially federal/HRSA-eligible), Shift differentials (nights +15%, weekends +10%).
How can I increase my Physical Therapist salary in Fresno?
Three highest-leverage moves: (1) Add 2026's hot skills (Telehealth PT, Sports medicine, Pelvic health) — they command 15-30% premiums. (2) Get a recognized certification (e.g., DPT or OCS (Orthopedic Specialist)). (3) Tailor your resume to each role's keywords — CVCraft's ATS scanner shows you exactly what's missing.
What education do I need to become a Physical Therapist in Fresno?
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) is the typical path. However, Fresno's competitive market increasingly values demonstrable skills, portfolios, and certifications alongside (or in place of) traditional degrees — particularly for Healthcare roles.

Methodology & Sources

Physical Therapist salary figures for Fresno are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($99,710) by Fresno's cost-of-living multiplier of 0.95× — a composite of regional wage data and price parities. Year-over-year change (560.0%) reflects the Healthcare sector's 2025-2026 wage growth per BLS Employment Cost Index trends. Last reviewed April 28, 2026.

Data Sources

Related Roles in Fresno

Occupational Therapist →Registered Nurse →Pharmacist →Physician →Nurse Practitioner →Dentist →

Physical Therapist Salary in Other Cities

Los Angeles, CA$128KSan Antonio, TX$93KSan Diego, CA$118KJacksonville, FL$92KColumbus, OH$97KIndianapolis, IN$93KSan Francisco, CA$155KDetroit, MI$93K

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