Physical Therapist Hourly Pay in Santa Maria, CA: $63.39 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist working in Santa Maria, CA runs $63.39 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $131,846 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Weighted against Santa Maria's regional price level (BEA RPP 108.8, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $58.27 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $79,113 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Santa Maria, California, physical therapists find themselves in a favorable position with a median hourly rate of $63.39. This is significantly higher than the national hourly median of $50.62, reflecting the local demand for quality rehabilitation services. Opportunities abound in various settings such as outpatient clinics, hospitals, and home health agencies, which are ideal for both part-time and per-diem workers. A per-diem physical therapist can expect to earn between $49.10 (the 10th percentile) and $81.19 (the 90th percentile), allowing for flexibility and the potential to tailor work schedules to personal or family needs. The diverse hourly range supports a healthy earning potential catering to professionals at different stages in their careers.
Physical Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49.10 | $392.79 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52.11 | $416.89 |
| Median (P50) | $63.39 | $507.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72.51 | $580.09 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81.19 | $649.51 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Santa Maria
Based on $63.39/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $63.39/hr, a physical therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Santa Maria, CA can expect to earn approximately $131,855 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $76,070. With a cost-of-living index of 108.80 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Santa Maria.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Santa Maria
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,535.68 | $10,988 | $131,855 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,521.41 | $6,593 | $79,113 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,014.27 | $4,395 | $52,742 |
Compare PT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist (Santa Maria) | $63.39 |
| 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 Santa Maria, CA earn a median of $131,846 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.22% higher than the national median of $105,288 and 2.50% above the California state average of $128,630.
Physical Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $63.39/hr = $79,113/year (purchasing power: $72,716).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $131,855/year (purchasing power: $121,193).
CoL index: 108.798 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$48.90/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$61.87/hr
2026 Current Est.
$63.39/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+32.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Santa Maria (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48.90/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $48.84/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $49.05/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $51.85/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $56.75/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $58.33/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $61.87/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63.39/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64.95/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapists in Santa Maria grew 26.5% from $48.90/hr (2019) to $61.87/hr (2025). At a 2.46% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $64.95/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 Santa Maria 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 Santa Maria
Considering part-time work, a physical therapist in Santa Maria who operates three days a week (approximately 24 hours) could realistically take home about $79,228 annually, considerably less than a full-time colleague but still substantial. The per diem option offers varied experiences, with therapists billing rates ranging from $50 to $75 per hour, and travel contracts fetching between $1,800 to $2,800 weekly. Different employer types also affect compensation; chains like ATI may provide steady hours but offer lower hourly rates compared to hospital systems. Some therapists choose lower compensation for benefits, weighing health insurance against hourly rates that might be more appealing but offer no additional perks. Effective negotiation of hourly wages in Santa Maria involves emphasizing unique skills or specialties, enhancing overall earning potential in this competitive market for physical therapist hourly pay in CA.
More salary data for Santa Maria, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapists in Santa Maria 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 Santa Maria. 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