Physical Therapist Hourly Pay in Turlock, CA: $60.45 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist working in Turlock, CA runs $60.45 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $125,738 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Weighted against Turlock's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $53.45 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $75,443 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

With a projected hourly rate of $60.45 for physical therapists in Turlock, California, the compensation is significantly above the national median of $50.62. This higher wage reflects the local demand for skilled therapists across various clinical settings, including outpatient clinic gyms, inpatient rehab units, skilled nursing facilities, and home health visits. For part-time therapists working three days a week, it allows for substantial income, especially when compared to many other regions. The hourly rate spans from $46.77 for entry-level positions to $81.69 for top earners in the field, providing a wide range that accommodates both new graduates and experienced professionals looking to maximize their earnings.
About the Turlock Market
Salary estimated from California average ($109,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Physical Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46.77 | $374.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51.32 | $410.58 |
| Median (P50) | $60.45 | $483.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72.99 | $583.94 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81.69 | $653.53 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Turlock
Based on $60.45/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $60.45/hr, a physical therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Turlock, CA can expect to earn approximately $125,739 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $72,542. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Turlock.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Turlock
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,418.06 | $10,478 | $125,739 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,450.83 | $6,287 | $75,443 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $967.22 | $4,191 | $50,296 |
Compare PT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist (Turlock) | $60.45 |
| 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 Turlock, CA earn a median of $125,738 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.42% higher than the national median of $105,288 and 2.20% below the California state average of $128,566.
Physical Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $60.45/hr = $75,443/year (purchasing power: $66,705).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $125,739/year (purchasing power: $111,175).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$51.35/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$59.00/hr
2026 Current Est.
$60.45/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Turlock (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51.35/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $52.25/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $54.90/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $56.11/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $57.25/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $57.96/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $59.00/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60.45/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61.94/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapists in Turlock grew 14.9% from $51.35/hr (2019) to $59.00/hr (2025). At a 2.46% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $61.94/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 Turlock 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 Turlock
The earning potential for part-time physical therapists in Turlock translates to an annual income of around $75,552 for a 24-hour workweek, vastly different from a full-time salary. Additionally, per-diem physical therapists in the area typically charge between $50 and $75 per hour, with enticing travel contracts often reaching $1,800 to $2,800 per week, depending on the demand and location. While outpatient orthopedic clinics generally offer competitive rates, they might come with lower base pay compared to institutions such as hospitals or skilled nursing facilities, which often provide better benefits. For many, the trade-off between higher hourly wages without benefits and lower rates with health insurance can be a tough decision. Negotiating pay in Turlock can be effective, especially by emphasizing credentials and specialized skills, which are increasingly valuable in the evolving healthcare landscape, especially with the rise of cash-pay models becoming more prominent in physical therapy practices.
More salary data for Turlock, 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 Turlock. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Turlock is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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