Physical Therapist Pay

San Francisco vs Yucaipa: Physical Therapist Salary (2026)

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

San Francisco, CA
$145,473
$69.94/hr
Yucaipa, CA
$127,643
$61.36/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSan Francisco, CAYucaipa, CA
Median Salary$145,473$127,643
Hourly Rate$69.94$61.36
Entry Level (P10)$106,415$91,743
25th Percentile$126,507$110,668
75th Percentile$164,725$153,531
Top Earner (P90)$192,697$171,978
Total Employed3,14014
Side-by-side bar chart comparing San Francisco ($145,473) and Yucaipa ($127,643) physical therapist salaries.San FranciscoYucaipaMedian Salary$145,473$127,643Entry Level (P10)$106,415$91,743Top Earner (P90)$192,697$171,978US Median $105,288

Verdict

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

The salary gap between San Francisco and Yucaipa is $17,830 (13.97%). 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 San Francisco spans $86,282,Yucaipa spans $80,235. San Francisco has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

San Francisco
P10 (Entry)$106,415
P25$126,507
Median$145,473
P75$164,725
P90 (Top)$192,697
Yucaipa
P10 (Entry)$91,743
P25$110,668
Median$127,643
P75$153,531
P90 (Top)$171,978

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Francisco ($125,828 effective) pays 11.49% more than Yucaipa ($112,859 effective).

San Francisco
Nominal: $145,473
CoL Index: 115.613
Adjusted: $125,828
Yucaipa
Nominal: $127,643
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $112,859

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

Which City Is Right for You?

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

Choose Yucaipa if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist salaries in San Francisco grew 33.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 1.8% growth in Yucaipa over the same period.

San Francisco, CA

+33.8%

$106,090 (2019) → $141,980 (2025)

Yucaipa, CA

+1.8%

$122,383 (2024) → $124,578 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapists more: San Francisco or Yucaipa?

San Francisco has a higher median physical therapist salary at $145,473/year, compared to Yucaipa at $127,643/year — a difference of $17,830 (13.97%).

What is the hourly rate difference between San Francisco and Yucaipa?

San Francisco physical therapists earn $69.94/hr while Yucaipa hygienists earn $61.36/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing San Francisco and Yucaipa. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: San Francisco = $125,828, Yucaipa = $112,859), job availability (3,140 vs 14 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapists earn $106,415 in San Francisco and $91,743 in Yucaipa. 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