Physical Therapist Pay

Los Angeles vs Oxnard: Physical Therapist Salary (2026)

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

Los Angeles, CA
$110,831
$53.29/hr
Oxnard, CA
$119,643
$57.52/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLos Angeles, CAOxnard, CA
Median Salary$110,831$119,643
Hourly Rate$53.29$57.52
Entry Level (P10)$87,685$84,243
25th Percentile$100,257$103,987
75th Percentile$137,460$136,169
Top Earner (P90)$164,008$158,465
Total Employed9,750550
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Los Angeles ($110,831) and Oxnard ($119,643) physical therapist salaries.Los AngelesOxnardMedian Salary$110,831$119,643Entry Level (P10)$87,685$84,243Top Earner (P90)$164,008$158,465US Median $105,288

Verdict

Los Angeles and Oxnard are closely matched on overall physical therapist compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Los Angeles and Oxnard is $8,812 (7.95%). Oxnard's median is +13.63% compared to the US national median of $105,288.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Los Angeles spans $76,323,Oxnard spans $74,222. Los Angeles has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Los Angeles
P10 (Entry)$87,685
P25$100,257
Median$110,831
P75$137,460
P90 (Top)$164,008
Oxnard
P10 (Entry)$84,243
P25$103,987
Median$119,643
P75$136,169
P90 (Top)$158,465

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Oxnard ($108,241 effective) pays 10.91% more than Los Angeles ($97,592 effective).

Los Angeles
Nominal: $110,831
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $97,592
Oxnard
Nominal: $119,643
CoL Index: 110.534
Adjusted: $108,241

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Los Angeles if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($164,008)
  • Larger job market (9,750 employed)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Oxnard if…

  • Higher median salary ($119,643/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $108,241)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist salaries in Los Angeles grew 8.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 33.3% growth in Oxnard over the same period.

Los Angeles, CA

+8.3%

$99,850 (2019) → $108,170 (2025)

Oxnard, CA

+33.3%

$87,570 (2019) → $116,770 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Oxnard has a higher median physical therapist salary at $119,643/year, compared to Los Angeles at $110,831/year — a difference of $8,812 (7.95%).

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

Los Angeles physical therapists earn $53.29/hr while Oxnard hygienists earn $57.52/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Los Angeles and Oxnard. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Los Angeles = $97,592, Oxnard = $108,241), job availability (9,750 vs 550 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapists earn $87,685 in Los Angeles and $84,243 in Oxnard. The Los Angeles 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