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

Physical Therapist Salary in Sacramento: $108K Median

Physical Therapists in Sacramento, CA earn between $81K and $140K per year.

That's +8% above the US national median of $99,710 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Physical Therapist salary in Sacramento, CA is $107,687 per year — +8% above the US national median of $99,710. Salaries range from $81,000 (entry, 25th percentile) to $140,400 (90th percentile). Physical Therapists in Sacramento earned approximately $16,316 in 2025, representing 560.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$107,687
+560.0% YoY · $8,974/mo
Entry
$84,240
0–2 years
Experienced
$124,200
5+ years
Top 10%
$140,400
Senior/lead
Physical Therapist Salary — Sacramento vs Nearby
Sacramento
$108K
Los Angeles
$128K
-16% vs Sacramento
San Diego
$118K
-8% vs Sacramento
San Francisco
$155K
-30% vs Sacramento

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About Physical Therapists in Sacramento

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)

Sacramento Job Market

California state capital with growing tech sector.

Population
524K
Cost of Living
130
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
4.5%
Median Home
$525K

Top Industries in Sacramento

GovernmentHealthcareTechEducationReal Estate

Top Employers Hiring Physical Therapists

Major employers active in Sacramento 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 — Sacramento

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$81,000$107,687$140,400
Monthly$6,750$8,974$11,700
Weekly$1,558$2,071$2,700
Hourly$39$52$68

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($99,710) adjusted for Sacramento's cost-of-living multiplier (1.08×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Physical Therapist Take-Home Pay in Sacramento

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

Net Annual Take-Home
$78,133.02
Per month$6,511
Biweekly paycheck$3,005
Effective tax rate27.4%

Tax Breakdown on $107,687

Gross salary$107,687
Federal income tax−$15,393.14
California state tax−$5,922.785
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$8,238.056
Take-home (net)$78,133.02

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 — Sacramento

Career-stage progression for Physical Therapists in Sacramento.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$77,501
2–3 yr$84,240
4–6 yr$104,220
7–10 yr$124,200
11–15 yr$146,556
15+ yr$132,300

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Sacramento's 1.08× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+560.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$16,316
2026 median:$107,687
Change:+$91,371

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
$82,836
Tight on the median. Housing eats a disproportionate share of take-home pay and savings rates suffer without a partner income or higher-percentile salary.

How to Negotiate Your Physical Therapist Salary in Sacramento

Walk-away anchor: $97,897 (offers below this are below market for Sacramento).

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 $124K–$140K for experienced roles, citing Sacramento market data and your specific Telehealth PT/Sports medicine expertise.

Physical Therapist Salary FAQ — Sacramento

What is the average Physical Therapist salary in Sacramento, CA?
The average Physical Therapist salary in Sacramento is $107,687 per year as of April 2026 — $8,974/month, $2,071/week, or about $52/hour. Salaries range from $81,000 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $140,400 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Sacramento's cost-of-living multiplier (1.08×).
Is $107,687 a good Physical Therapist salary in Sacramento?
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. Sacramento's cost-of-living index is 130 (vs 100 nationally), giving $107,687 a real purchasing power of approximately $82,836 in national terms. Tight on the median. Housing eats a disproportionate share of take-home pay and savings rates suffer without a partner income or higher-percentile salary.
Can you live on $107,687 in Sacramento?
Dual-income households are functionally required to raise a family at this cost level. Single earners on the median typically rent rather than buy and delay starting a family. Many residents spend 35-40% of pre-tax income on rent here, but the textbook target is still 30%. Going above 35% will materially crimp retirement and emergency savings. For Sacramento specifically (median home price $525,000), a $107,687 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $107,687 enough for a single person in Sacramento?
A single adult in Sacramento typically needs ~$58,500 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $107,687 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $107,687 enough for a couple in Sacramento?
A couple (one earner) in Sacramento typically needs ~$93,600 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $107,687 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $107,687 each ($215,374 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $107,687 enough for a family of 4 in Sacramento?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Sacramento typically needs ~$143,000 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $107,687 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 Sacramento. Childcare costs in Sacramento typically run $20K-$36K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Physical Therapist in Sacramento?
On a $107,687 Physical Therapist salary in Sacramento, CA, you take home approximately $78,133.02 per year ($6,511/month, $3,005 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $15,393.14, state $5,922.785, FICA $8,238.056. Effective tax rate: 27.4%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Physical Therapists in Sacramento earn compared to the US average?
Physical Therapists in Sacramento earn approximately 8% more than the US national median for this role ($99,710 nationally vs $107,687 in Sacramento). However, Sacramento's cost-of-living index of 130 means real purchasing power is approximately $82,836 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Physical Therapist earn in Sacramento?
Entry-level Physical Therapists in Sacramento typically start at around $84,240 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Physical Therapists earn $124,200 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $140,400+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Physical Therapist salaries in Sacramento increase in 2026?
Yes — Physical Therapist salaries in Sacramento grew approximately 560.0% year-over-year, from $16,316 in 2025 to $107,687 in 2026 (+$91,371). 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 Sacramento?
PT employment projected to grow 14% — among fastest-growing health professions due to aging population. Sacramento's top industries include Government, Healthcare, Tech, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 4.5% — 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 Sacramento.
Who are the top employers hiring Physical Therapists in Sacramento?
Top employers hiring Physical Therapists in or near Sacramento 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 Sacramento?
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 Sacramento?
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 Sacramento?
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) is the typical path. However, Sacramento'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 Sacramento are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($99,710) by Sacramento's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.08× — 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 Sacramento

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

Physical Therapist Salary in Other Cities

Los Angeles, CA$128KChicago, IL$105KHouston, TX$105KPhiladelphia, PA$104KSan Diego, CA$118KDallas, TX$105KSan Francisco, CA$155KDenver, CO$110K

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