Physical Therapist Pay

Chino vs Los Angeles: Physical Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare physical therapist salaries between Chino, CA and Los Angeles, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Chino, CA
$130,005
$62.50/hr
Los Angeles, CA
$110,831
$53.29/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricChino, CALos Angeles, CA
Median Salary$130,005$110,831
Hourly Rate$62.50$53.29
Entry Level (P10)$97,168$87,685
25th Percentile$107,813$100,257
75th Percentile$151,568$137,460
Top Earner (P90)$166,654$164,008
Total Employed179,750
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Chino ($130,005) and Los Angeles ($110,831) physical therapist salaries.ChinoLos AngelesMedian Salary$130,005$110,831Entry Level (P10)$97,168$87,685Top Earner (P90)$166,654$164,008US Median $105,288

Verdict

Chino, CA offers better overall compensation for physical therapists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Los Angeles.

The salary gap between Chino and Los Angeles is $19,174 (17.30%). Chino's median is +23.48% compared to the US national median of $105,288.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Chino spans $69,486,Los Angeles spans $76,323. Los Angeles has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced physical therapists.

Chino
P10 (Entry)$97,168
P25$107,813
Median$130,005
P75$151,568
P90 (Top)$166,654
Los Angeles
P10 (Entry)$87,685
P25$100,257
Median$110,831
P75$137,460
P90 (Top)$164,008

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Chino ($114,947 effective) pays 17.78% more than Los Angeles ($97,592 effective).

Chino
Nominal: $130,005
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $114,947
Los Angeles
Nominal: $110,831
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $97,592

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Chino if…

  • Higher median salary ($130,005/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($166,654)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $114,947)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Los Angeles if…

  • Larger job market (9,750 employed)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist salaries in Chino grew 1.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 8.3% growth in Los Angeles over the same period.

Chino, CA

+1.8%

$124,648 (2024) → $126,884 (2025)

Los Angeles, CA

+8.3%

$99,850 (2019) → $108,170 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapists more: Chino or Los Angeles?

Chino has a higher median physical therapist salary at $130,005/year, compared to Los Angeles at $110,831/year — a difference of $19,174 (17.30%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Chino and Los Angeles?

Chino physical therapists earn $62.50/hr while Los Angeles hygienists earn $53.29/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Chino to Los Angeles as a physical therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Chino and Los Angeles. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Chino = $114,947, Los Angeles = $97,592), job availability (17 vs 9,750 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapists earn in Chino vs Los Angeles?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapists earn $97,168 in Chino and $87,685 in Los Angeles. The Chino area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

AM

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.

Clinically reviewed by Jordan Lee, DPTData verified by Maria Garcia, DPT

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.46% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Alex Morgan, DPT, a licensed physical therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov