Physical Therapist Salary in Lakewood, CA: $125,311 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Lakewood, CA earns a median $125,311/year (≈ $60.25/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Lakewood's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $110,797 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.5% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Lakewood, California, physical therapists can expect to earn a median annual salary of $125,311 in 2026, representing a notable 19.02% increase above the national median of $105,288. This competitive figure is complemented by a salary range from $96,418 at the 10th percentile to $164,245 at the 90th percentile, indicating significant income potential based on experience and workplace settings. These projections are drawn from 2025 BLS data and adapted for local economic conditions. The healthcare landscape in Lakewood includes various employment options that influence pay, including outpatient orthopedic clinics, hospital systems, and skilled nursing facilities, each with distinct compensation structures that reflect their operational models.
About the Lakewood Market
Salary estimated from California average ($109,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $96,418 | $46.35 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $103,149 | $49.59 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $125,311 | $60.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $147,971 | $71.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $164,245 | $78.97 |
Median Salary Position
19.02% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lakewood
In Lakewood, CA, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $67,827 (2026 est.). At $125,311, the local median is 19.02% above the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lakewood: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lakewood Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Lakewood median: $125,311/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lakewood Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $128,524 | -2.50% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | +19.02% more |
Physical Therapists in Lakewood, CA earn a median of $125,311 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.02% higher than the national median of $105,288 and 2.50% below the California state average of $128,524.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lakewood has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lakewood, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $125,311 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $110,797 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$106,449
2025 BLS Actual
$122,302
2026 Current Est.
$125,311
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Lakewood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $106,449 | Actual |
| 2020 | $108,317 | Actual |
| 2021 | $113,804 | Actual |
| 2022 | $116,304 | Actual |
| 2023 | $118,672 | Actual |
| 2024 | $120,147 | Actual |
| 2025 | $122,302 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $125,311 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $128,393 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lakewood metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $106,449 (2019) to $122,302 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $128,393 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,944 (20.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lakewood 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) | $96,418 – $103,149 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $103,149 – $125,311 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $125,311 – $147,971 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $147,971 – $164,245 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Lakewood
The job market in Lakewood currently employs 19 physical therapists, suggesting a steady demand despite the local cost of living index sitting at 113.1, which is above the national average. Higher salaries are often found in hospital inpatient rehab settings, which may offer more substantial pay compared to outpatient services that can be constrained by reimbursement pressures from insurance providers. Factors such as productivity expectations, board certifications like OCS or SCS, and the choice between cash-pay or insurance models significantly affect earning potential. For professionals aiming to maximize their income in this environment, pursuing additional board certifications, engaging in specialized training, and exploring roles within high-demand clinics or travel PT positions could lead to increased salary and job satisfaction in the dynamic Lakewood physical therapist pay landscape.
More salary data for Lakewood, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can physical therapists make $100K in Lakewood?
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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 $122,302 for physical therapistsin the Lakewood 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 Lakewood 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