Physical Therapist Salary in Mountain View, CA: $129,292 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Mountain View, CA earns a median $129,292/year (≈ $62.16/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Mountain View's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $114,317 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the physical therapist salary in Mountain View is projected to reach a median of $129,292, outpacing the national median of $105,288 by a significant margin. Salaries in the area range from $95,610 at the 10th percentile to $164,624 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse work settings and employer structures within the field. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for the regional cost of living. While outpatient orthopedic clinics may offer competitive pay structures, those working in specialized hospital settings or skilled nursing facilities often command higher wages due to the nature of the work and the complexity involved in patient care in those environments.
About the Mountain View Market
Salary estimated from California average ($109,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $95,610 | $45.96 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $106,352 | $51.13 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $129,292 | $62.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $149,768 | $72.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $164,624 | $79.15 |
Median Salary Position
22.80% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Mountain View
In Mountain View, CA, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $69,014 (2026 est.). At $129,292, the local median is 22.8% above the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Mountain View: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Mountain View Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Mountain View median: $129,292/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Mountain View Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $128,521 | +0.60% more |
| National Average | $105,288 | +22.80% more |
Physical Therapists in Mountain View, CA earn a median of $129,292 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.80% higher than the national median of $105,288 and 0.60% above the California state average of $128,521.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Mountain View has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Mountain View, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $129,292 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $114,317 — 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
$109,831
2025 BLS Actual
$126,188
2026 Current Est.
$129,292
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Mountain View (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $109,831 | Actual |
| 2020 | $111,759 | Actual |
| 2021 | $117,420 | Actual |
| 2022 | $119,999 | Actual |
| 2023 | $122,443 | Actual |
| 2024 | $123,965 | Actual |
| 2025 | $126,188 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $129,292 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $132,473 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Mountain View metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $109,831 (2019) to $126,188 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $132,473 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,642 (20.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mountain View 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) | $95,610 – $106,352 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $106,352 – $129,292 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $129,292 – $149,768 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $149,768 – $164,624 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Mountain View
In Mountain View, the local job market includes 13 physical therapists, underscoring a specialized niche for professionals in this area. The cost-of-living index is notably above the national average at 113.1, influencing take-home pay and purchasing power for practitioners. Employers such as outpatient orthopedic chains, hospitals, and skilled nursing facilities vary significantly in their compensation packages, with outpatient clinics typically on the lower end of the pay scale. Productivity expectations, board certification stipends, and the choice between cash-pay versus insurance practices drive the disparities in earnings among therapists. To maximize pay in this market, professionals should focus on enhancing efficiency, pursuing board certification like the OCS or SCS, and considering opportunities with travel PT agencies, which often offer higher compensation rates to accommodate urgent staffing needs.
More salary data for Mountain View, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Mountain View, CA in 2026?
Is Mountain View, CA a good place to work as a physical therapist?
Can physical therapists make $100K in Mountain View?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist salary in Mountain View?
How much does a physical therapist make per hour in Mountain View?
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 $126,188 for physical therapistsin the Mountain View 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 Mountain View 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