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2026 Salary Data — Los Angeles, CA
Updated April 28, 2026

Physical Therapist Salary in Los Angeles: $128K Median

Physical Therapists in Los Angeles, CA earn between $96K and $166K per year.

That's +28% above the US national median of $99,710 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Physical Therapist salary in Los Angeles, CA is $127,629 per year — +28% above the US national median of $99,710. Salaries range from $96,000 (entry, 25th percentile) to $166,400 (90th percentile). Physical Therapists in Los Angeles earned approximately $19,338 in 2025, representing 560.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$127,629
+560.0% YoY · $10,636/mo
Entry
$99,840
0–2 years
Experienced
$147,200
5+ years
Top 10%
$166,400
Senior/lead
Physical Therapist Salary — Los Angeles vs Nearby
Los Angeles
$128K
San Diego
$118K
+8% vs Los Angeles
San Francisco
$155K
-17% vs Los Angeles
Fresno
$95K
+35% vs Los Angeles

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About Physical Therapists in Los Angeles

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)

Los Angeles Job Market

Entertainment capital with growing tech sector ("Silicon Beach") and major aerospace industry.

Population
3979K
Cost of Living
173
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
5.1%
Median Home
$950K

Top Industries in Los Angeles

EntertainmentAerospaceTechHealthcareTourism

Top Employers Hiring Physical Therapists

Major employers active in Los Angeles 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 — Los Angeles

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$96,000$127,629$166,400
Monthly$8,000$10,636$13,867
Weekly$1,846$2,454$3,200
Hourly$46$61$80

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($99,710) adjusted for Los Angeles's cost-of-living multiplier (1.28×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Physical Therapist Take-Home Pay in Los Angeles

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

Net Annual Take-Home
$90,871.827
Per month$7,573
Biweekly paycheck$3,495
Effective tax rate28.8%

Tax Breakdown on $127,629

Gross salary$127,629
Federal income tax−$19,973.96
California state tax−$7,019.595
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$9,763.619
Take-home (net)$90,871.827

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 — Los Angeles

Career-stage progression for Physical Therapists in Los Angeles.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$91,853
2–3 yr$99,840
4–6 yr$123,520
7–10 yr$147,200
11–15 yr$173,696
15+ yr$156,800

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Los Angeles's 1.28× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+560.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$19,338
2026 median:$127,629
Change:+$108,291

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

Is This A Good Salary?

Livable middle-class

Cost-adjusted, this is a workable middle-class salary. Budgeting matters - dual-income households fare materially better, and saving for a down payment will take discipline.

COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$73,774
Difficult on the median - the nominal salary masks how little real purchasing power remains after rent, taxes, and basic costs.

How to Negotiate Your Physical Therapist Salary in Los Angeles

Walk-away anchor: $116,026 (offers below this are below market for Los Angeles).

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 $147K–$166K for experienced roles, citing Los Angeles market data and your specific Telehealth PT/Sports medicine expertise.

Physical Therapist Salary FAQ — Los Angeles

What is the average Physical Therapist salary in Los Angeles, CA?
The average Physical Therapist salary in Los Angeles is $127,629 per year as of April 2026 — $10,636/month, $2,454/week, or about $61/hour. Salaries range from $96,000 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $166,400 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Los Angeles's cost-of-living multiplier (1.28×).
Is $127,629 a good Physical Therapist salary in Los Angeles?
Livable middle-class. Cost-adjusted, this is a workable middle-class salary. Budgeting matters - dual-income households fare materially better, and saving for a down payment will take discipline. Los Angeles's cost-of-living index is 173 (vs 100 nationally), giving $127,629 a real purchasing power of approximately $73,774 in national terms. Difficult on the median - the nominal salary masks how little real purchasing power remains after rent, taxes, and basic costs.
Can you live on $127,629 in Los Angeles?
Median pay is below HUD's low-income threshold for a family of four in some of these metros (notably San Francisco, where $104K qualifies as 'low income'). Raising a family on the median typically requires two earners, a long commute, or family help with housing. Spending 30% on rent is impossible at the median in this market - most workers spend 40-50% or take roommates well into their 30s. HUD classifies anything over 30% as 'cost-burdened' here. For Los Angeles specifically (median home price $950,000), a $127,629 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $127,629 enough for a single person in Los Angeles?
A single adult in Los Angeles typically needs ~$77,850 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $127,629 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $127,629 enough for a couple in Los Angeles?
A couple (one earner) in Los Angeles typically needs ~$124,560 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $127,629 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $127,629 each ($255,258 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $127,629 enough for a family of 4 in Los Angeles?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Los Angeles typically needs ~$190,300 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $127,629 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 Los Angeles. Childcare costs in Los Angeles typically run $26K-$48K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Physical Therapist in Los Angeles?
On a $127,629 Physical Therapist salary in Los Angeles, CA, you take home approximately $90,871.827 per year ($7,573/month, $3,495 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $19,973.96, state $7,019.595, FICA $9,763.619. Effective tax rate: 28.8%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Physical Therapists in Los Angeles earn compared to the US average?
Physical Therapists in Los Angeles earn approximately 28% more than the US national median for this role ($99,710 nationally vs $127,629 in Los Angeles). However, Los Angeles's cost-of-living index of 173 means real purchasing power is approximately $73,774 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Physical Therapist earn in Los Angeles?
Entry-level Physical Therapists in Los Angeles typically start at around $99,840 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Physical Therapists earn $147,200 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $166,400+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Physical Therapist salaries in Los Angeles increase in 2026?
Yes — Physical Therapist salaries in Los Angeles grew approximately 560.0% year-over-year, from $19,338 in 2025 to $127,629 in 2026 (+$108,291). 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 Los Angeles?
PT employment projected to grow 14% — among fastest-growing health professions due to aging population. Los Angeles's top industries include Entertainment, Aerospace, Tech, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 5.1% — 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 Los Angeles.
Who are the top employers hiring Physical Therapists in Los Angeles?
Top employers hiring Physical Therapists in or near Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles?
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 Los Angeles?
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 Los Angeles?
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) is the typical path. However, Los Angeles'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 Los Angeles are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($99,710) by Los Angeles's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.28× — 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 Los Angeles

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

Physical Therapist Salary in Other Cities

San Diego, CA$118KSan Francisco, CA$155KSeattle, WA$132KWashington, DC$130KBoston, MA$130KFresno, CA$95KSacramento, CA$108KLong Beach, CA$120K

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