Physical Therapist Salary in San Jose, CA: $142,419 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in San Jose, CA earns a median $142,419/year (≈ $68.47/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in San Jose's price level (10% above national, BEA RPP 110.4), that paycheck buys what $128,976 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 10.8% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, physical therapist salaries in San Jose, California, are projected to reach a median annual income of $142,419, significantly outpacing the national median of $105,288 by approximately 35.27%. This reflects the increasing specialization within the field, particularly as practices such as cash-pay sports and orthopedic clinics elevate earning potential for top performers. The salary range for physical therapists in this area is quite broad, with entry-level positions starting at $106,558 and experienced therapists earning up to $175,780. These figures are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data, indicating a robust demand for skilled professionals in this growing job market across San Jose.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $106,558 | $51.23 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $126,159 | $60.66 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $142,419 | $68.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $169,233 | $81.36 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $175,780 | $84.51 |
Median Salary Position
35.27% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Jose
In San Jose, CA, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $69,222 (2026 est.). At $142,419, the local median is 35.27% above the national median of $105,288.
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At 40 hours/week in San Jose: You'd be above the median
How San Jose Physical Therapist Pay Compares
San Jose median: $142,419/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Jose Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $128,537 | +10.80% more |
| National Average | $105,288 | +35.27% more |
Physical Therapists in San Jose, CA earn a median of $142,419 per year (2026 est.), which is 35.27% higher than the national median of $105,288 and 10.80% above the California state average of $128,537.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Jose has a cost of living 10.42% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Jose, CA has a cost-of-living index of 110.423 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $142,419 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $128,976 — a 9.44% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$100,560
2025 BLS Actual
$139,000
2026 Current Est.
$142,419
2019–2027 Growth
+45.1%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in San Jose (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $100,560 | Actual |
| 2020 | $109,960 | Actual |
| 2021 | $124,710 | Actual |
| 2022 | $134,520 | Actual |
| 2023 | $131,930 | Actual |
| 2024 | $137,250 | Actual |
| 2025 | $139,000 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $142,419 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $145,923 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Jose metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 38.2% from $100,560 (2019) to $139,000 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $145,923 by 2027 — a total increase of $45,363 (45.11%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Jose 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) | $106,558 – $126,159 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $126,159 – $142,419 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $142,419 – $169,233 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $169,233 – $175,780 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in San Jose
With around 1,460 physical therapists employed locally, the job market remains competitive, but potential candidates must also consider the cost of living, which is reflected in a cost-of-living index of 110.423. This index suggests that the purchasing power of professionals in San Jose may be impacted by higher living expenses compared to many other regions. Outpatient orthopedic clinics, including chains like ATI and Athletico, generally offer competitive pay, but salaries can vary based on factors such as productivity expectations and the practice model. Therapists who pursue board certifications like OCS or SCS may also receive significant stipends that boost overall compensation. To maximize earnings, professionals should focus on enhancing their productivity and consider opportunities in cash-pay settings, which often provide greater flexibility and higher income potential, especially as insurance reimbursements continue to face pressures.
More salary data for San Jose, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $139,000 for physical therapistsin the San Jose 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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