Physical Therapist salary in California
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
A physical therapist in California earns a median of $124,190 a year ($59.71/hour equivalent), 20.9% above the national median of $102,760. California ranks #1 of 51 states. About 26,580 people do this job in California.
Take-home pay in California
At the California median, a single filer keeps about $87,231 a year after federal, FICA and California taxes — $3,355 every two weeks. Try your own numbers with the California paycheck calculator.
- Gross pay
- $4,776.54
- Federal income tax
- −$713.06
- Social Security (6.2%)
- −$296.15
- Medicare (1.45%)
- −$69.26
- California income tax
- −$280.95
- CA SDI
- −$62.10
- Take-home pay
- $3,355.03
Annual breakdown
- Gross
- $124,190
- Federal
- $18,540
- FICA
- $9,501
- State + local
- $8,919
- Net
- $87,231
- Marginal federal rate
- 24.0%
- Marginal state rate
- 9.3%
2026 federal brackets (Rev. Proc. 2025-32) and 2026 state rules. Estimates assume wages are your only income and use annual liability, so your actual withholding can differ slightly.
How California compares
| Rank | State | Median salary |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | California | $124,190 |
| #2 | Alaska | $115,280 |
| #3 | New Jersey | $112,140 |
| #4 | Nevada | $111,250 |
| #5 | Maryland | $106,890 |
| #49 | South Dakota | $92,660 |
| #50 | Montana | $91,450 |
| #51 | North Dakota | $85,330 |
See the national physical therapist salary page for the full pay range and all states.
BLS occupation: Physical Therapists (SOC 29-1123), May 2025, state estimates.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a physical therapist make in California?
The median salary is $124,190 a year and the average is $122,580 (BLS May 2025).
Is California a good state for physical therapists?
California ranks #1 of 51 states for median pay in this job, 21% above the national median of $102,760.
What is $124,190 after taxes in California?
About $87,231 a year ($3,355 every two weeks) for a single filer in 2026.
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Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.