Physical Therapist Salary in Brea, CA: $121,991 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Brea, CA earns a median $121,991/year (≈ $58.65/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Brea's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $107,861 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.1% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physical therapy salaries in Brea, California, are expected to average $121,991 annually, reflecting a competitive landscape for healthcare professionals in the area. The salary range spans from $95,367 at the 10th percentile to $157,615 at the 90th percentile, demonstrating significant earning potential based on experience, sector, and practice setting. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data and take into account local economic conditions, such as Brea’s cost of living, which is above the national average. With productivity expectations pressing therapists to maximize visits per day, the compensation structure is influenced by these demands, thereby shaping effective hourly pay outcomes.
About the Brea Market
Salary estimated from California average ($109,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $95,367 | $45.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $103,729 | $49.87 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $121,991 | $58.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $143,685 | $69.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $157,615 | $75.78 |
Median Salary Position
15.86% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Brea
In Brea, CA, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $62,248 (2026 est.). At $121,991, the local median is 15.86% above the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Brea: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Brea Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Brea median: $121,991/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Brea Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $128,547 | -5.10% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | +15.86% more |
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.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Brea has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Brea, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $121,991 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $107,861 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$103,629
2025 BLS Actual
$119,062
2026 Current Est.
$121,991
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Brea (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $103,629 | Actual |
| 2020 | $105,448 | Actual |
| 2021 | $110,789 | Actual |
| 2022 | $113,222 | Actual |
| 2023 | $115,528 | Actual |
| 2024 | $116,964 | Actual |
| 2025 | $119,062 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $121,991 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $124,992 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Brea metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $103,629 (2019) to $119,062 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $124,992 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,363 (20.61%) from 2019.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $95,367 – $103,729 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $103,729 – $121,991 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $121,991 – $143,685 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $143,685 – $157,615 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Brea
Evaluating the local job market, only 10 physical therapists are currently employed in Brea, presenting both opportunities and challenges for practitioners seeking to establish their careers. The area's cost of living index stands at 113.1, indicating that take-home pay may stretch less than in areas with lower living costs, necessitating consideration of various employment settings. Outpatient orthopedic clinics often dominate hiring, but skilled nursing and hospital rehabilitation facilities can offer more attractive packages, accompanied by benefits related to productivity expectations and financial incentives tied to certifications like OCS or SCS. Navigating the different models of practice—cash-pay versus insurance—can impact compensation, with cash practices generally offering higher rates. To maximize earning potential in Brea, therapists should cultivate board certifications, seek roles that reward high productivity, and consider integration into clinic ownership or travel PT opportunities where premiums may apply.
More salary data for Brea, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Brea, CA in 2026?
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Can physical therapists make $100K in Brea?
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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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $119,062 for physical therapistsin the Brea metropolitan area. A 2.46% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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