Physical Therapist Salary in Santa Cruz, CA: $127,860 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Santa Cruz, CA earns a median $127,860/year (≈ $61.48/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Santa Cruz's price level (10% above national, BEA RPP 109.9), that paycheck buys what $116,346 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Santa Cruz, California, the projected median annual salary for physical therapists in 2026 will be $127,860. This figure not only reflects the local job market's strength but also highlights the increasing trend towards cash-pay models in sports and orthopedic practice settings, which pushes top-end compensation higher. The salary range spans from $94,243 at the 10th percentile to $162,235 at the 90th percentile, providing insight into the varied earning potential depending on specific factors such as experience, specialization, and employment setting. Information for these figures is derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys, offering a comprehensive view of the compensation landscape for physical therapists in Santa Cruz.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $94,243 | $45.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $106,241 | $51.08 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $127,860 | $61.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $148,403 | $71.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $162,235 | $78.00 |
Median Salary Position
21.44% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Santa Cruz
In Santa Cruz, CA, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $67,992 (2026 est.). At $127,860, the local median is 21.44% above the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Santa Cruz: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Santa Cruz Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Santa Cruz median: $127,860/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Santa Cruz Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $128,632 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | +21.44% more |
Physical Therapists in Santa Cruz, CA earn a median of $127,860 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.44% higher than the national median of $105,288 and 0.60% below the California state average of $128,632.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Santa Cruz has a cost of living 9.90% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Santa Cruz, CA has a cost-of-living index of 109.896 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $127,860 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $116,346 — a 9.01% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$105,750
2025 BLS Actual
$124,790
2026 Current Est.
$127,860
2019–2027 Growth
+23.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Santa Cruz (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $105,750 | Actual |
| 2020 | $96,540 | Actual |
| 2021 | $100,070 | Actual |
| 2022 | $108,300 | Actual |
| 2023 | $111,620 | Actual |
| 2024 | $128,370 | Actual |
| 2025 | $124,790 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $127,860 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $131,005 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Santa Cruz metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 18.0% from $105,750 (2019) to $124,790 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $131,005 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,255 (23.88%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Santa Cruz 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) | $94,243 – $106,241 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $106,241 – $127,860 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $127,860 – $148,403 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $148,403 – $162,235 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz's job market features around 160 physical therapists, a number that supports competition for attractive roles but also contributes to a slightly elevated cost of living, reflected in a cost-of-living index of 109.896. This higher index means that while physical therapist pay in Santa Cruz, CA, is competitive, the purchasing power may be affected compared to other regions. Among employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics and specialized sports medicine practices often offer the best salaries, particularly those that adopt a cash-pay model, as well as facilities that provide high patient-volume settings. The spread between low and high salaries can often be attributed to factors such as productivity expectations, board certifications (like OCS or SCS), and clinic ownership equity. To maximize earning potential in this area, it's advisable for physical therapists to pursue advanced certifications and consider work in high-traffic settings or within cash-based clinics. Understanding these dynamics is key to navigating compensation trends and enhancing financial prospects in Santa Cruz's evolving healthcare market.
More salary data for Santa Cruz, 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 $124,790 for physical therapistsin the Santa Cruz 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