Physical Therapist Salary in Oakland, CA: $148,783 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Oakland, CA earns a median $148,783/year (≈ $71.53/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Oakland's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $131,550 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 15.7% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physical therapist salaries in Oakland, California, are projected to reach a median annual figure of $148,783, reflecting a notable increase when compared to the national median of $105,288. With a salary range that spans from $106,379 at the 10th percentile to $206,810 at the 90th percentile, physical therapists in this region can expect compensation that rewards both experience and workload. These estimates, derived from BLS state-level data and regional price adjustments, underscore the competitive earning potential for practitioners in Oakland. The rising demand for rehabilitation services and increasing productivity expectations can lead to significant variations in pay among healthcare providers, influencing the job market dynamics.
About the Oakland Market
Salary estimated from California average ($109,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $106,379 | $51.15 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $120,662 | $58.01 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $148,783 | $71.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $181,227 | $87.13 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $206,810 | $99.43 |
Median Salary Position
41.31% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Oakland
In Oakland, CA, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $100,431 (2026 est.). At $148,783, the local median is 41.31% above the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Oakland: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Oakland Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Oakland median: $148,783/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Oakland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $128,594 | +15.70% more |
| National Average | $105,288 | +41.31% more |
Physical Therapists in Oakland, CA earn a median of $148,783 per year (2026 est.), which is 41.31% higher than the national median of $105,288 and 15.70% above the California state average of $128,594.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Oakland has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Oakland, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $148,783 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $131,550 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$126,388
2025 BLS Actual
$145,211
2026 Current Est.
$148,783
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Oakland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $126,388 | Actual |
| 2020 | $128,607 | Actual |
| 2021 | $135,121 | Actual |
| 2022 | $138,089 | Actual |
| 2023 | $140,901 | Actual |
| 2024 | $132,389 | Actual |
| 2025 | $145,211 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $148,783 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $152,443 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Oakland metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $126,388 (2019) to $145,211 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $152,443 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,055 (20.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oakland 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) | $106,379 – $120,662 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $120,662 – $148,783 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $148,783 – $181,227 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $181,227 – $206,810 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Oakland
Employing 78 physical therapists, the local job market in Oakland demonstrates strong demand amidst a cost-of-living index of 113.1, which impacts purchasing power. As healthcare facilities look to maximize their therapy delivery, outpatient orthopedic clinics tend to offer the highest salaries, particularly chains like ATI, while hospital inpatient rehabilitation centers provide competitive compensation. The differences in salary often stem from factors such as productivity mandates, board certification stipends (like the Orthopedic Clinical Specialist, OCS), and the growing trend of cash-pay practices versus insurance reimbursement models. For those aiming to enhance their earnings, focusing on productivity metrics, obtaining specialty certifications, and exploring opportunities in higher-paying settings could significantly improve their physical therapist pay in Oakland, CA.
More salary data for Oakland, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Oakland, CA in 2026?
Is Oakland, CA a good place to work as a physical therapist?
Can physical therapists make $100K in Oakland?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist salary in Oakland?
How much does a physical therapist make per hour in Oakland?
Related Pages
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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 $145,211 for physical therapistsin the Oakland 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 Oakland 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