Physical Therapist Pay

Los Angeles vs Redlands: Physical Therapist Salary (2026)

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

Los Angeles, CA
$110,831
$53.29/hr
Redlands, CA
$130,076
$62.54/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLos Angeles, CARedlands, CA
Median Salary$110,831$130,076
Hourly Rate$53.29$62.54
Entry Level (P10)$87,685$97,471
25th Percentile$100,257$107,958
75th Percentile$137,460$154,485
Top Earner (P90)$164,008$171,969
Total Employed9,75016
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Los Angeles ($110,831) and Redlands ($130,076) physical therapist salaries.Los AngelesRedlandsMedian Salary$110,831$130,076Entry Level (P10)$87,685$97,471Top Earner (P90)$164,008$171,969US Median $105,288

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Los Angeles and Redlands is $19,245 (17.36%). Redlands's median is +23.54% 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,Redlands spans $74,498. 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
Redlands
P10 (Entry)$97,471
P25$107,958
Median$130,076
P75$154,485
P90 (Top)$171,969

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Redlands ($115,010 effective) pays 17.85% more than Los Angeles ($97,592 effective).

Los Angeles
Nominal: $110,831
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $97,592
Redlands
Nominal: $130,076
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $115,010

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Los Angeles if…

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

Choose Redlands if…

  • Higher median salary ($130,076/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($171,969)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $115,010)
  • 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 1.8% growth in Redlands over the same period.

Los Angeles, CA

+8.3%

$99,850 (2019) → $108,170 (2025)

Redlands, CA

+1.8%

$124,717 (2024) → $126,953 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Redlands has a higher median physical therapist salary at $130,076/year, compared to Los Angeles at $110,831/year — a difference of $19,245 (17.36%).

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

Los Angeles physical therapists earn $53.29/hr while Redlands hygienists earn $62.54/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Los Angeles and Redlands. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Los Angeles = $97,592, Redlands = $115,010), job availability (9,750 vs 16 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapists earn $87,685 in Los Angeles and $97,471 in Redlands. The Redlands 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