Physical Therapist Hourly Pay in Bakersfield, CA: $61.81 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist working in Bakersfield, CA runs $61.81 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $128,577 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Weighted against Bakersfield's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.9, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $61.27 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $77,144 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Bakersfield, the physical therapist hourly pay reaches a median of $61.81, which significantly outpaces the national median of $50.62. This hourly rate provides a promising option for both part-time physical therapists working three days a week and per-diem staff. Within various healthcare settings like outpatient clinics, inpatient rehab units, and skilled nursing facilities, these professionals can expect to earn hourly rates ranging from $48.42 at entry-level positions to $77.03 for those at the top of their field. This data, based on the 2025 BLS OEWS information projected to 2026, indicates a stable job market where physical therapists can thrive financially, even as they address the diverse rehabilitation needs of Bakersfield residents.
Physical Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48.42 | $387.38 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50.50 | $404.02 |
| Median (P50) | $61.81 | $494.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68.95 | $551.56 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77.03 | $616.24 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bakersfield
Based on $61.81/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $61.81/hr, a physical therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bakersfield, CA can expect to earn approximately $128,573 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $74,177. With a cost-of-living index of 100.89 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Bakersfield.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bakersfield
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,472.56 | $10,714 | $128,573 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,483.54 | $6,429 | $77,144 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $989.03 | $4,286 | $51,429 |
Compare PT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist (Bakersfield) | $61.81 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant (National Avg) | $31.26 |
| Occupational Therapist (National Avg) | $47.00 |
| Chiropractor (National Avg) | $36.85 |
| Exercise Physiologist (National Avg) | $26.75 |
Physical Therapists in Bakersfield, CA earn a median of $128,577 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.12% higher than the national median of $105,288.
Physical Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $61.81/hr = $77,144/year (purchasing power: $76,467).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $128,573/year (purchasing power: $127,444).
CoL index: 100.886 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$53.14/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$60.33/hr
2026 Current Est.
$61.81/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+19.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Bakersfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53.14/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $52.96/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $47.40/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $49.49/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $51.36/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $58.94/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $60.33/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61.81/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63.33/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapists in Bakersfield grew 13.5% from $53.14/hr (2019) to $60.33/hr (2025). At a 2.46% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $63.33/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem physical therapists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bakersfield metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.46% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Physical Therapist in Bakersfield
For physical therapists working part-time, a schedule of 24 hours per week can yield an annual income significantly less than full-time counterparts but still offers competitive pay. Per-diem physical therapists can expect to earn between $50 and $75 per hour, while travel PT contracts often provide weekly earnings between $1,800 and $2,800, including stipends. Notably, cash-pay specialists in higher-cost-of-living markets may charge $150 to $250 per hour, providing alternative pathways for financial success. Hourly rates may fluctuate depending on the employer type; outpatient orthopedic clinics can offer lower pay than hospital systems, but they often supplement this with productivity bonuses. This dynamic means physical therapists must assess the benefits of health insurance against potentially higher hourly rates without it. For those in Bakersfield, the negotiation of hourly wages should be strategic, taking into account local market trends and the specific demands of various employment settings in the region.
More salary data for Bakersfield, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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How much do part-time physical therapists make in Bakersfield?
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.46% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for physical therapists in Bakersfield. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.46%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physical therapists (SOC 29-1123).
Compiled and verified by Alex Morgan, DPT, a licensed physical therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov