Physical Therapist Pay

Chino Hills vs San Francisco: Physical Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare physical therapist salaries between Chino Hills, CA and San Francisco, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Chino Hills, CA
$128,814
$61.93/hr
San Francisco, CA
$145,473
$69.94/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricChino Hills, CASan Francisco, CA
Median Salary$128,814$145,473
Hourly Rate$61.93$69.94
Entry Level (P10)$94,348$106,415
25th Percentile$105,377$126,507
75th Percentile$151,538$164,725
Top Earner (P90)$167,394$192,697
Total Employed213,140
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Chino Hills ($128,814) and San Francisco ($145,473) physical therapist salaries.Chino HillsSan FranciscoMedian Salary$128,814$145,473Entry Level (P10)$94,348$106,415Top Earner (P90)$167,394$192,697US Median $105,288

Verdict

San Francisco, CA offers better overall compensation for physical therapists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Chino Hills.

The salary gap between Chino Hills and San Francisco is $16,659 (12.93%). San Francisco's median is +38.17% compared to the US national median of $105,288.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Chino Hills spans $73,046,San Francisco spans $86,282. San Francisco has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced physical therapists.

Chino Hills
P10 (Entry)$94,348
P25$105,377
Median$128,814
P75$151,538
P90 (Top)$167,394
San Francisco
P10 (Entry)$106,415
P25$126,507
Median$145,473
P75$164,725
P90 (Top)$192,697

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Francisco ($125,828 effective) pays 10.48% more than Chino Hills ($113,894 effective).

Chino Hills
Nominal: $128,814
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $113,894
San Francisco
Nominal: $145,473
CoL Index: 115.613
Adjusted: $125,828

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Chino Hills if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose San Francisco if…

  • Higher median salary ($145,473/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($192,697)
  • Larger job market (3,140 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $125,828)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist salaries in Chino Hills grew 1.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 33.8% growth in San Francisco over the same period.

Chino Hills, CA

+1.8%

$123,506 (2024) → $125,721 (2025)

San Francisco, CA

+33.8%

$106,090 (2019) → $141,980 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapists more: Chino Hills or San Francisco?

San Francisco has a higher median physical therapist salary at $145,473/year, compared to Chino Hills at $128,814/year — a difference of $16,659 (12.93%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Chino Hills and San Francisco?

Chino Hills physical therapists earn $61.93/hr while San Francisco hygienists earn $69.94/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Chino Hills to San Francisco as a physical therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Chino Hills and San Francisco. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Chino Hills = $113,894, San Francisco = $125,828), job availability (21 vs 3,140 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapists earn in Chino Hills vs San Francisco?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapists earn $94,348 in Chino Hills and $106,415 in San Francisco. The San Francisco 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