Physical Therapist Salary in Fullerton, CA: $132,081 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Fullerton, CA earns a median $132,081/year (≈ $63.50/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Fullerton's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $116,782 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.7% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Fullerton, California, physical therapist salaries are notably competitive, with projected earnings reaching a median annual income of $132,081 for 2026. The overall salary range spans from $95,508 at the lower end (10th percentile) to a substantial $176,818 for those in the top 10% (90th percentile). These figures reflect local estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price levels, and position Fullerton's pay about 25.45% higher than the national median of $105,288. The rise in cash-pay models and specialized orthopedic practices has increased the earning potential at the higher end, showcasing a robust job market for physical therapists in this Southern California city.
About the Fullerton Market
Salary estimated from California average ($109,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $95,508 | $45.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $107,789 | $51.82 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $132,081 | $63.50 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $157,658 | $75.80 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $176,818 | $85.01 |
Median Salary Position
25.45% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fullerton
In Fullerton, CA, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $81,310 (2026 est.). At $132,081, the local median is 25.45% above the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fullerton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fullerton Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Fullerton median: $132,081/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fullerton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $128,609 | +2.70% more |
| National Average | $105,288 | +25.45% more |
Physical Therapists in Fullerton, CA earn a median of $132,081 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.45% higher than the national median of $105,288 and 2.70% above the California state average of $128,609.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fullerton has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fullerton, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $132,081 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $116,782 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$112,200
2025 BLS Actual
$128,910
2026 Current Est.
$132,081
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Fullerton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $112,200 | Actual |
| 2020 | $114,170 | Actual |
| 2021 | $119,953 | Actual |
| 2022 | $122,587 | Actual |
| 2023 | $125,084 | Actual |
| 2024 | $126,638 | Actual |
| 2025 | $128,910 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $132,081 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $135,330 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fullerton metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $112,200 (2019) to $128,910 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $135,330 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,130 (20.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fullerton 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) | $95,508 – $107,789 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $107,789 – $132,081 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $132,081 – $157,658 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $157,658 – $176,818 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Fullerton
With 25 physical therapists currently employed in Fullerton, the local market exhibits a healthy demand against a backdrop of a cost-of-living index of 113.1, which impacts take-home pay and purchasing power for professionals. Outpatient orthopedic clinics, such as Athletico and Select Medical, tend to offer competitive salaries, although the highest-paying positions are often found within hospital inpatient rehabilitation departments. Factors influencing salary disparities include productivity benchmarks, board certifications like OCS or SCS, ownership opportunities, and the prevalent cash-pay versus insurance reimbursement models. To maximize earnings in Fullerton, therapists should foster skills in high-demand specializations, seek continuous education to obtain relevant certifications, and explore diverse practice settings, including travel PT positions which can offer added financial incentives.
More salary data for Fullerton, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can physical therapists make $100K in Fullerton?
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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 $128,910 for physical therapistsin the Fullerton 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 Fullerton 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