Physical therapist salary in California after taxes
The median physical therapist in California earns $124,190 a year ($59.71 an hour). After 2026 taxes, that's about $86,500 a year, or $3,326.93 every two weeks.
Take-home pay at each pay level
| Pay level | Gross / year | Take-home / year | Per month | Every 2 weeks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $85,580 | $63,838 | $5,320 | $2,455.30 |
| 25th percentile | $100,790 | $72,784 | $6,065 | $2,799.39 |
| Median | $124,190 | $86,500 | $7,208 | $3,326.93 |
| 75th percentile | $141,260 | $96,199 | $8,017 | $3,699.98 |
| 90th percentile | $163,960 | $109,098 | $9,091 | $4,196.06 |
The 10th percentile means 10% of physical therapists in California earn less than this. New hires usually start near the 10th–25th percentile.
Your exact paycheck
Change the salary, add your 401(k), health premiums and W-4 settings:
Physical therapist take-home pay in other states
California ranks #3 of 20 of the states we cover for median physical therapist take-home pay.
| State | Median gross | Take-home / year |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $115,280 | $89,929 |
| Nevada | $111,250 | $87,094 |
| California | $124,190 | $86,500 |
| Texas | $105,810 | $83,267 |
| Washington | $105,950 | $81,896 |
| New Jersey | $112,140 | $81,599 |
| Florida | $101,040 | $79,912 |
| Wyoming | $100,400 | $79,461 |
| Tennessee | $100,140 | $79,278 |
| New Hampshire | $99,850 | $79,074 |
| Ohio | $103,050 | $78,616 |
| Illinois | $105,250 | $77,808 |
| Pennsylvania | $101,380 | $77,038 |
| Georgia | $102,700 | $76,703 |
| Massachusetts | $103,790 | $76,499 |
| Michigan | $100,900 | $75,776 |
| North Carolina | $99,910 | $75,555 |
| Virginia | $101,450 | $75,181 |
| New York | $100,660 | $74,267 |
| South Dakota | $92,660 | $74,016 |
Questions
How much does a physical therapist make in California after taxes?
The median physical therapist in California earns $124,190 a year ($59.71 an hour) before tax, according to BLS data for May 2025. After 2026 federal and state taxes that's about $86,500 a year, $7,208 a month or $3,326.93 every two weeks for a single filer with no pre-tax deductions.
How many physical therapists work in California?
About 26,580, according to the BLS May 2025 estimates.
Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, statewide, all industries. BLS wages include tips and commissions, not overtime premiums or benefits. Take-home uses 2026 tax rules for a single filer paid every two weeks with W-4 defaults and no pre-tax deductions.
Sources
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (state data)
- IRS Publication 15-T (2026), Worksheet 1A and Annual Percentage Method tables
- SSA: 2026 Social Security wage base ($184,500)
- California EDD, 2026 Withholding Schedules, Method B (exact calculation)
- California EDD: SDI withholding rate (1.3% in 2026, no wage cap)
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