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METRO DATA PROFILE · 2024

Physical Therapists salary in Los Angeles, California

Metro-level median, range, and employment from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics for the Los Angeles metropolitan area. Skills and task data from O*NET. State and national figures shown for context.

Adrian Serafin, founder and editor of RateOrchardBy Adrian SerafinFounderUpdated April 30, 2026
Median annual$117,000
Mean annual$117,670
Range (10th to 90th)$86,040 to $158,540
Los Angeles, California employment8,150
State vs national+14.1% vs national

Salary distribution

Where Los Angeles physical therapists fall on the wage curve.

Annual wage distribution

Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)

10TH$86,04025TH$98,080MEDIAN$117,00075TH$134,31090TH$158,540

The middle 50% of workers earn between $98,080 and $134,310, with a median of $117,000.

Typical entry

  • Education

    Doctoral or professional degree

  • Experience

    None

  • On-the-job training

    None

Top skills (O*NET)

  • Customer and Personal Service

    Knowledge

    4.6 / 5
  • Therapy and Counseling

    Knowledge

    4.6 / 5
  • Medicine and Dentistry

    Knowledge

    4.6 / 5
  • Psychology

    Knowledge

    4.1 / 5
  • Reading Comprehension

    Basic skill

    4.0 / 5
  • Critical Thinking

    Cross-functional

    4.0 / 5
  • Social Perceptiveness

    Technical

    4.0 / 5
  • Active Listening

    Basic skill

    4.0 / 5

Common tasks (O*NET)

  1. 01

    Plan, prepare, or carry out individually designed programs of physical treatment to maintain, improve, or restore physical functioning, alleviate pain, or prevent physical dysfunction in patients.

  2. 02

    Perform and document an initial exam, evaluating data to identify problems and determine a diagnosis prior to intervention.

  3. 03

    Record prognosis, treatment, response, and progress in patient's chart or enter information into computer.

  4. 04

    Instruct patient and family in treatment procedures to be continued at home.

  5. 05

    Evaluate effects of treatment at various stages and adjust treatments to achieve maximum benefit.

  6. 06

    Confer with the patient, medical practitioners, or appropriate others to plan, implement, or assess the intervention program.

  7. 07

    Administer manual exercises, massage, or traction to help relieve pain, increase patient strength, or decrease or prevent deformity or crippling.

  8. 08

    Obtain patients' informed consent to proposed interventions.

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Other metros in California

How the Los Angeles metro compares to other major California metro areas for physical therapists.

Frequently asked questions

What is the median salary for Physical Therapists in Los Angeles, California?
According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, the median annual wage for Physical Therapists in the Los Angeles metropolitan area is $117,000.
Does Los Angeles pay more than the California state average for Physical Therapists?
The Los Angeles metro median is -5.1% versus the California state median of $123,300.
How does Los Angeles compare to the national median for Physical Therapists?
The Los Angeles metro median is +14.1% versus the BLS national figure of $102,556.
What is the salary range for Physical Therapists in Los Angeles?
BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $86,040 and the 90th-percentile at $158,540 for the Los Angeles metro area.
What education is required for Physical Therapists?
BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Doctoral or professional degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Disclaimer

Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. BLS metro estimates reflect the Los Angeles CBSA boundary for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.