Physical Therapist Hourly Pay in Sacramento, CA: $64.74 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist working in Sacramento, CA runs $64.74 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $134,663 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Weighted against Sacramento's regional price level (BEA RPP 106.7, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $60.70 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $80,801 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Sacramento, the hourly wage for physical therapists is projected to be $64.74 in 2026, significantly higher than the national median of $50.62. This robust median hourly pay creates attractive opportunities for part-time and per-diem physical therapists, particularly those working in outpatient clinics, rehabilitation units, and sports medicine facilities. For a typical part-time schedule of three days a week, a physical therapist can expect to earn a substantial income, given the hourly range of approximately $48.88 at entry-level positions to upwards of $78.44 for top earners. With the growing need for rehabilitation services, especially in specialized settings like home health and pediatric clinics, this hourly data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics underscores the earning potential in and around Sacramento.
Physical Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48.88 | $391.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52.33 | $418.61 |
| Median (P50) | $64.74 | $517.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70.73 | $565.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78.44 | $627.55 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Sacramento
Based on $64.74/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $64.74/hr, a physical therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Sacramento, CA can expect to earn approximately $134,669 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $77,693. With a cost-of-living index of 106.67 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Sacramento.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Sacramento
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,589.78 | $11,222 | $134,669 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,553.87 | $6,733 | $80,801 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,035.91 | $4,489 | $53,867 |
Compare PT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist (Sacramento) | $64.74 |
| 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 Sacramento, CA earn a median of $134,663 per year (2026 est.), which is 27.90% higher than the national median of $105,288 and 4.70% above the California state average of $128,618.
Physical Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $64.74/hr = $80,801/year (purchasing power: $75,749).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $134,669/year (purchasing power: $126,248).
CoL index: 106.67 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$51.64/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$63.19/hr
2026 Current Est.
$64.74/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Sacramento (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51.64/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $56.09/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $49.22/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $60.22/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $63.35/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $62.58/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $63.19/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64.74/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66.34/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapists in Sacramento grew 22.4% from $51.64/hr (2019) to $63.19/hr (2025). At a 2.46% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $66.34/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 Sacramento 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 Sacramento
For physical therapists working part-time at this rate, a commitment of three days per week could lead to an annual income around $88,000, reflecting a solid earning potential while maintaining work-life balance. Per-diem physical therapists in Sacramento typically see hourly rates billed between $50-$75, with travel contracts offering even more lucrative opportunities, ranging from $1,800 to $2,800 per week including stipends. The earnings landscape varies across different employer types. For example, outpatient orthopedic chains, while often lower-paying, may provide productivity bonuses, whereas positions in hospital settings generally offer more comprehensive benefits despite potentially lower hourly rates. As therapists evaluate their options, negotiating for higher pay while considering benefits is crucial, especially in a competitive market like Sacramento, where cost of living factors into compensation expectations.
More salary data for Sacramento, 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
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 Sacramento. 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