Physical Therapist Pay

Antioch vs Los Angeles: Physical Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare physical therapist salaries between Antioch, CA and Los Angeles, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Antioch, CA
$127,000
$61.06/hr
Los Angeles, CA
$110,831
$53.29/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAntioch, CALos Angeles, CA
Median Salary$127,000$110,831
Hourly Rate$61.06$53.29
Entry Level (P10)$94,384$87,685
25th Percentile$105,285$100,257
75th Percentile$153,367$137,460
Top Earner (P90)$172,504$164,008
Total Employed179,750
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Antioch ($127,000) and Los Angeles ($110,831) physical therapist salaries.AntiochLos AngelesMedian Salary$127,000$110,831Entry Level (P10)$94,384$87,685Top Earner (P90)$172,504$164,008US Median $105,288

Verdict

Antioch, CA offers better overall compensation for physical therapists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Los Angeles.

The salary gap between Antioch and Los Angeles is $16,169 (14.59%). Antioch's median is +20.62% compared to the US national median of $105,288.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Antioch spans $78,120,Los Angeles spans $76,323. Antioch has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Antioch
P10 (Entry)$94,384
P25$105,285
Median$127,000
P75$153,367
P90 (Top)$172,504
Los Angeles
P10 (Entry)$87,685
P25$100,257
Median$110,831
P75$137,460
P90 (Top)$164,008

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Antioch ($112,290 effective) pays 15.06% more than Los Angeles ($97,592 effective).

Antioch
Nominal: $127,000
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $112,290
Los Angeles
Nominal: $110,831
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $97,592

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Antioch if…

  • Higher median salary ($127,000/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($172,504)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $112,290)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Los Angeles if…

  • Larger job market (9,750 employed)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist salaries in Antioch grew 1.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 8.3% growth in Los Angeles over the same period.

Antioch, CA

+1.8%

$121,768 (2024) → $123,951 (2025)

Los Angeles, CA

+8.3%

$99,850 (2019) → $108,170 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapists more: Antioch or Los Angeles?

Antioch has a higher median physical therapist salary at $127,000/year, compared to Los Angeles at $110,831/year — a difference of $16,169 (14.59%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Antioch and Los Angeles?

Antioch physical therapists earn $61.06/hr while Los Angeles hygienists earn $53.29/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Antioch to Los Angeles as a physical therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Antioch and Los Angeles. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Antioch = $112,290, Los Angeles = $97,592), job availability (17 vs 9,750 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapists earn in Antioch vs Los Angeles?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapists earn $94,384 in Antioch and $87,685 in Los Angeles. The Antioch area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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Written by Alex Morgan, DPT

Career Analyst

Alex Morgan has over 10 years of experience in physical therapy. They specialize in orthopedic rehabilitation. Alex works in a private practice setting.

Clinically reviewed by Jordan Lee, DPTData verified by Maria Garcia, DPT

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.46% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Alex Morgan, DPT, a licensed physical therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov