Physical Therapist Salary in Santa Ana, CA: $136,232 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Santa Ana, CA earns a median $136,232/year (≈ $65.49/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Santa Ana's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $120,453 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.0% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The 2026 projected median annual salary for physical therapists in Santa Ana, California, is $136,232, considerably higher than the national median of $105,288, which reflects a 29.39% increase. Salary estimates range from the 10th percentile at $94,432 to the 90th percentile at $185,085, indicating a robust earning potential for those in this profession. The figures presented are based on projections using 2025 BLS data and take into account local cost of living adjustments. Among the factors influencing these salaries is the growing trend of cash-pay models in sports and orthopedic therapy, which are contributing to higher compensation levels in the top end of the pay scale. As a key area of healthcare in Santa Ana, physical therapists can expect a competitive market focused heavily on productivity and specialty certifications.
About the Santa Ana Market
Salary estimated from California average ($109,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $94,432 | $45.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $108,300 | $52.07 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $136,232 | $65.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $163,755 | $78.73 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $185,085 | $88.99 |
Median Salary Position
29.39% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Santa Ana
In Santa Ana, CA, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $90,653 (2026 est.). At $136,232, the local median is 29.39% above the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Santa Ana: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Santa Ana Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Santa Ana median: $136,232/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Santa Ana Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $128,521 | +6.00% more |
| National Average | $105,288 | +29.39% more |
Physical Therapists in Santa Ana, CA earn a median of $136,232 per year (2026 est.), which is 29.39% higher than the national median of $105,288 and 6.00% above the California state average of $128,521.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Santa Ana has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Santa Ana, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $136,232 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $120,453 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$115,726
2025 BLS Actual
$132,961
2026 Current Est.
$136,232
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Santa Ana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $115,726 | Actual |
| 2020 | $117,758 | Actual |
| 2021 | $123,723 | Actual |
| 2022 | $126,440 | Actual |
| 2023 | $129,015 | Actual |
| 2024 | $130,618 | Actual |
| 2025 | $132,961 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $136,232 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $139,583 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Santa Ana metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $115,726 (2019) to $132,961 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $139,583 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,857 (20.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Santa Ana 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) | $94,432 – $108,300 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $108,300 – $136,232 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $136,232 – $163,755 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $163,755 – $185,085 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Santa Ana
Employers in Santa Ana include a mix of outpatient orthopedic clinics, hospital systems, and home health agencies, with outpatient practices often offering some of the most lucrative positions. The local job market currently includes 69 physical therapists, emphasizing a healthy demand for services despite the cost-of-living index sitting at 113.1, which is above the national average. The spread between lower and higher pay is influenced by many factors, including productivity standards, patient visit expectations, and whether a practice relies on cash-pay or insurance models. Specialization, such as becoming board-certified in orthopedics or sports (OCS/SCS), can also drive up earning potential significantly. To maximize physical therapist pay in Santa Ana, professionals should focus on continuing education, pursue advanced certifications, and consider working in settings that align with the cash-pay trend to enhance their take-home income.
More salary data for Santa Ana, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Santa Ana, CA in 2026?
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Can physical therapists make $100K in Santa Ana?
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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 $132,961 for physical therapistsin the Santa Ana 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 Santa Ana 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