Physical Therapist Hourly Pay in Long Beach, CA: $53.46 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist working in Long Beach, CA runs $53.46 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $111,199 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Weighted against Long Beach's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $47.27 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $66,723 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Physical therapists in Long Beach, California earn a median hourly rate of $53.46, exceeding the national hourly median of $50.62. This competitive pay can significantly benefit professionals considering part-time work options, such as those working three days a week, and per-diem arrangements in various settings like outpatient clinics, hospital rehab units, and home health visits. The hourly wage range extends from $36.64 at entry-level positions to $75.55 for top earners, offering flexible opportunities for therapists who wish to optimize their work-life balance while still achieving solid income. It's crucial to highlight that these hourly rates are derived from annual salary estimates, which can help physical therapists in Long Beach assess their earning potential relative to their peers across the country.
About the Long Beach 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) | $36.64 | $293.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45.27 | $362.13 |
| Median (P50) | $53.46 | $427.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66.01 | $528.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $75.55 | $604.43 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Long Beach
Based on $53.46/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $53.46/hr, a physical therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Long Beach, CA can expect to earn approximately $111,204 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $64,156. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Long Beach.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Long Beach
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,138.55 | $9,267 | $111,204 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,283.13 | $5,560 | $66,723 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $855.42 | $3,707 | $44,482 |
Compare PT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist (Long Beach) | $53.46 |
| 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 Long Beach, CA earn a median of $111,199 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.61% higher than the national median of $105,288 and 13.50% below the California state average of $128,554.
Physical Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $53.46/hr = $66,723/year (purchasing power: $58,994).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $111,204/year (purchasing power: $98,324).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$45.42/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$52.18/hr
2026 Current Est.
$53.46/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Long Beach (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45.42/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $46.21/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $48.55/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $49.62/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $50.63/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $62.44/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $52.18/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53.46/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54.78/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapists in Long Beach grew 14.9% from $45.42/hr (2019) to $52.18/hr (2025). At a 2.46% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $54.78/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 Long Beach 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 Long Beach
When examining potential earnings, part-time physical therapists working 24 hours per week may expect to take home considerably less on an annual basis compared to their full-time counterparts, often sacrificing stability for flexibility. For those pursuing per diem opportunities, rates often fall between $50 and $75 per hour, while travel contracts can yield a weekly total of $1,800 to $2,800 including stipends. In the competitive landscape of Long Beach, hourly rates vary across employer types. Outpatient rehabilitation facilities may offer lower wages compared to hospital systems that provide benefits. For graduate physical therapists, negotiating the value of hourly pay against benefits such as health insurance is essential; often, higher hourly rates come without benefits in cash-pay settings. It’s advisable for physical therapists to hone their negotiation skills tailored to the Long Beach market context, ensuring they achieve a compensation package that aligns with their professional goals and personal needs.
More salary data for Long Beach, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapists in Long Beach in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapists make in Long Beach?
Are physical therapists in Long Beach paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist make per year in Long Beach?
Do physical therapists earn more per hour working part-time in Long Beach?
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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 Long Beach. 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 Long Beach 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