Physical Therapist Salary in Long Beach, CA: $111,199 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Long Beach, CA earns a median $111,199/year (≈ $53.46/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Long Beach's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $98,319 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 13.5% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the average physical therapist salary in Long Beach is projected to reach $111,199, reflecting an increase compared to the national median of $105,288. This compensation range for local therapists showcases the income potential, starting from $76,213 at the 10th percentile and stretching to $157,146 at the 90th percentile. These salary figures are influenced by local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price variations. The pressures of productivity expectations, particularly regarding visits per day, contribute significantly to the effective hourly compensation levels for physical therapists in the area, impacting their overall earnings potential and job satisfaction as they navigate a competitive job market.
About the Long Beach Market
Salary estimated from California average ($109,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,213 | $36.64 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $94,161 | $45.27 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $111,199 | $53.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $137,307 | $66.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $157,146 | $75.55 |
Median Salary Position
5.61% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Long Beach
In Long Beach, CA, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $80,933 (2026 est.). At $111,199, the local median is 5.61% above the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Long Beach: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Long Beach Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Long Beach median: $111,199/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Long Beach Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $128,554 | -13.50% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | +5.61% more |
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.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Long Beach has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Long Beach, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $111,199 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $98,319 — a 11.58% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$94,461
2025 BLS Actual
$108,529
2026 Current Est.
$111,199
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary 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 | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $94,461 | Actual |
| 2020 | $96,119 | Actual |
| 2021 | $100,988 | Actual |
| 2022 | $103,206 | Actual |
| 2023 | $105,308 | Actual |
| 2024 | $129,873 | Actual |
| 2025 | $108,529 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $111,199 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $113,934 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Long Beach metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $94,461 (2019) to $108,529 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $113,934 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,473 (20.61%) from 2019.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $76,213 – $94,161 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $94,161 – $111,199 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $111,199 – $137,307 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $137,307 – $157,146 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Long Beach
With 89 physical therapists currently employed in Long Beach, CA, the market exhibits a healthy demand. However, the cost of living index at 113.1 indicates higher living expenses compared to the national average, which can impact take-home pay. Facilities that typically offer higher wages include outpatient orthopedic clinics, including well-known chains like ATI and Athletico, as well as hospital inpatient rehabilitation settings. Factors like productivity benchmarks, board certification stipends (such as OCS or SCS), and practice model variations between cash-pay versus insurance-reliant businesses create a range in salaries. To maximize earnings in Long Beach, professionals might consider pursuing advanced certifications, enhancing productivity metrics, or seeking positions in higher-paying specialties to navigate the evolving compensation landscape within the community.
More salary data for Long Beach, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Long Beach, CA in 2026?
Is Long Beach, CA a good place to work as a physical therapist?
Can physical therapists make $100K in Long Beach?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist salary in Long Beach?
How much does a physical therapist make per hour in Long Beach?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in California
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 $108,529 for physical therapistsin the Long Beach 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 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