Physical Therapist Hourly Pay in El Centro, CA: $57.60 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist working in El Centro, CA runs $57.60 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $119,827 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Weighted against El Centro's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.2, 5% below national), each hour of work buys what $60.52 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $71,889 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In El Centro, California, the physical therapist hourly pay is projected to reach $57.60 by 2026, significantly exceeding the national hourly median of $50.62. This difference highlights the competitive pay landscape within the region, allowing physical therapists to benefit financially whether they work full-time or engage in part-time or per-diem roles. For those considering part-time options, working just three days a week, which typically translates to about 24 hours, could yield substantial monthly earnings. The **entry-level physical therapist** may earn roughly $40.21 per hour, while top earners can command as much as $73.49. With this official Bureau of Labor Statistics data guiding expectations, many professionals find opportunities in various settings including outpatient clinics, hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and sports performance centers.
Physical Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40.21 | $321.64 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49.57 | $396.56 |
| Median (P50) | $57.60 | $460.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66.67 | $533.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $73.49 | $587.96 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in El Centro
Based on $57.60/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $57.60/hr, a physical therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in El Centro, CA can expect to earn approximately $119,814 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $69,124. With a cost-of-living index of 95.17 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in El Centro.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in El Centro
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,304.12 | $9,985 | $119,814 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,382.47 | $5,991 | $71,889 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $921.65 | $3,994 | $47,926 |
Compare PT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist (El Centro) | $57.60 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant (National Avg) | $31.26 |
| Occupational Therapist (National Avg) | $47.00 |
| Chiropractor (National Avg) | $36.85 |
| Exercise Physiologist (National Avg) | $26.75 |
Physical Therapists in El Centro, CA earn a median of $119,827 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.81% higher than the national median of $105,288 and 6.80% below the California state average of $128,570.
Physical Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $57.60/hr = $71,889/year (purchasing power: $75,534).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $119,814/year (purchasing power: $125,890).
CoL index: 95.174 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$42.94/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$56.22/hr
2026 Current Est.
$57.60/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+37.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapists in El Centro (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42.94/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $50.39/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $45.98/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $51.16/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $56.59/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $57.70/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $56.22/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57.60/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59.02/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapists in El Centro grew 30.9% from $42.94/hr (2019) to $56.22/hr (2025). At a 2.46% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $59.02/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem physical therapists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the El Centro 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.
Working as an Hourly Physical Therapist in El Centro
Part-time physical therapists earning on a 24-hour weekly schedule in El Centro can expect to take home a solid income, totaling approximately $48,000 annually compared to a full-time salary for those working 40 hours a week. Additionally, **per diem physical therapist pay in El Centro** can range from $50 to $75 an hour, creating flexibility but sometimes lacking job security and benefits that come with full-time employment. For those seeking higher pay, travel physical therapist contracts—often offering $1,800 to $2,800 per week—are popular, especially in high-cost labor markets. Hourly rates can differ by employer type; outpatient orthopedic clinics may offer lower pay initially, yet they often provide bonuses based on patient productivity. Balancing higher hourly wages without benefits against those offering health insurance is a strategic consideration for many. Physical therapists in El Centro should be prepared to negotiate well, emphasizing their skill sets and experiences to maximize compensation.
More salary data for El Centro, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapists in El Centro in 2026?
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.46% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for physical therapists in El Centro. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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