Physical Therapist Salary in Santa Rosa, CA: $143,546 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Santa Rosa, CA earns a median $143,546/year (≈ $69.02/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Santa Rosa's price level (8% above national, BEA RPP 107.8), that paycheck buys what $133,179 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 11.6% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Santa Rosa, California, the projected median annual salary for physical therapists is a compelling $143,546, which is significantly higher than the national median of $105,288. The salary spectrum ranges from $106,149 at the lower decile to $171,651 at the upper decile, reflecting a robust compensation landscape for this profession in the area. This data, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, illustrates how the trend toward cash-pay models, especially among sports and orthopedic specialists, has positively influenced top-end salaries. As such, opportunities for higher earnings persist, particularly within outpatient settings where productivity and specialty certifications can augment financial compensation.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $106,149 | $51.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $121,302 | $58.32 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $143,546 | $69.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $160,790 | $77.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $171,651 | $82.52 |
Median Salary Position
36.34% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Santa Rosa
In Santa Rosa, CA, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $65,502 (2026 est.). At $143,546, the local median is 36.34% above the national median of $105,288.
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How Santa Rosa Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Santa Rosa median: $143,546/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Santa Rosa Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $128,626 | +11.60% more |
| National Average | $105,288 | +36.34% more |
Physical Therapists in Santa Rosa, CA earn a median of $143,546 per year (2026 est.), which is 36.34% higher than the national median of $105,288 and 11.60% above the California state average of $128,626.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Santa Rosa has a cost of living 7.78% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Santa Rosa, CA has a cost-of-living index of 107.784 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $143,546 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $133,179 — a 7.22% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$104,370
2025 BLS Actual
$140,100
2026 Current Est.
$143,546
2019–2027 Growth
+40.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Santa Rosa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $104,370 | Actual |
| 2020 | $112,140 | Actual |
| 2021 | $120,340 | Actual |
| 2022 | $129,830 | Actual |
| 2023 | $132,870 | Actual |
| 2024 | $134,810 | Actual |
| 2025 | $140,100 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $143,546 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $147,078 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Santa Rosa metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 34.2% from $104,370 (2019) to $140,100 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $147,078 by 2027 — a total increase of $42,708 (40.92%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Santa Rosa 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) | $106,149 – $121,302 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $121,302 – $143,546 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $143,546 – $160,790 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $160,790 – $171,651 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Santa Rosa
Santa Rosa’s physical therapist market employs approximately 290 professionals, a stable number that indicates healthy demand within the local healthcare ecosystem. However, the cost of living index stands at 107.784, slightly above the national average, which can impact the effective purchasing power of salaries in this area. Outpatient orthopedic clinics and specialized practices, such as sports medicine, tend to offer the highest remuneration, alongside travel PT agencies that frequently provide premium rates. The variance in pay can be attributed to factors like clinic ownership equity, the model of practice (cash-pay versus insurance), and expectations around productivity (units per visit and visits per day). To maximize earning potential, physical therapists should consider obtaining board certifications like the OCS or SCS, leveraging their credentials to negotiate better pay within the Santa Rosa market.
More salary data for Santa Rosa, 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 $140,100 for physical therapistsin the Santa Rosa 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