Physical Therapist Hourly Pay in Brea, CA: $58.65 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist working in Brea, CA runs $58.65 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $121,991 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Weighted against Brea's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $51.86 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $73,193 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Brea, California, physical therapists earn a competitive median hourly pay of $58.65, significantly higher than the national median of $50.62. This hourly income is particularly advantageous for part-time and per-diem workers in diverse settings such as outpatient clinics, hospital rehab units, and home health visits. Therapists typically favor flexible schedules, allowing them to balance work at various locations, including skilled nursing facilities and sports performance centers. For those at the entry level, the hourly pay starts at approximately $45.85, while established professionals can earn up to $75.78 per hour, reflecting both the demand for their services and the skills honed through continuing education and certifications in specialized areas like geriatrics or orthopedics.
About the Brea Market
Salary estimated from California average ($109,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Physical Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45.85 | $366.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49.87 | $398.94 |
| Median (P50) | $58.65 | $469.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69.08 | $552.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $75.78 | $606.24 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Brea
Based on $58.65/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $58.65/hr, a physical therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Brea, CA can expect to earn approximately $121,988 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $70,378. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Brea.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Brea
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,345.92 | $10,166 | $121,988 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,407.55 | $6,099 | $73,193 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $938.37 | $4,066 | $48,795 |
Compare PT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist (Brea) | $58.65 |
| 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 Brea, CA earn a median of $121,991 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.86% higher than the national median of $105,288 and 5.10% below the California state average of $128,547.
Physical Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $58.65/hr = $73,193/year (purchasing power: $64,715).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $121,988/year (purchasing power: $107,859).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$49.82/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$57.24/hr
2026 Current Est.
$58.65/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Brea (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49.82/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $50.69/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $53.26/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $54.43/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $55.54/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $56.23/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $57.24/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58.65/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60.09/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapists in Brea grew 14.9% from $49.82/hr (2019) to $57.24/hr (2025). At a 2.46% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $60.09/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 Brea 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 Brea
When considering part-time positions, a physical therapist working three days a week might take home a substantial annual income, depending on hours worked. This arrangement can appeal to professionals seeking work-life balance while still earning about 24 hours a week at an advantageous rate. Per diem physical therapist pay in Brea can vary widely, with typical billing rates between $50 and $75 per hour, providing flexibility and the potential for higher earnings in travel PT contracts, which might yield $1,800 to $2,800 per week. However, agency positions often come without benefits, prompting some therapists to opt for lower hourly rates in exchange for health insurance and job security. In Brea, hourly rates can differ extensively based on the type of employer, from outpatient orthopedic clinics to pediatric therapy settings. For those entering negotiations for hourly pay, emphasizing productivity, specialization, and local market demand can enhance compensation discussions, keeping awareness of the evolving healthcare landscape in mind.
More salary data for Brea, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Brea. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Brea is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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