Physical Therapist Salary in Buena Park, CA: $130,209 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Buena Park, CA earns a median $130,209/year (≈ $62.60/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Buena Park's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $115,127 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Buena Park, CA, physical therapists can expect a median annual salary of $130,209 in 2026, significantly surpassing the national median of $105,288. The salary range for this profession locally spans from $97,787 at the 10th percentile to $167,666 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the varying levels of experience and specialization among practitioners. These figures are informed by local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price differences. With the demand for physical therapy services continuing to rise, the Buena Park market presents a viable opportunity for professionals in the field to earn competitive compensation, driven in part by the need for effective patient care.
About the Buena Park Market
Salary estimated from California average ($109,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $97,787 | $47.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $108,232 | $52.04 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $130,209 | $62.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $151,955 | $73.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $167,666 | $80.61 |
Median Salary Position
23.67% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Buena Park
In Buena Park, CA, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $69,879 (2026 est.). At $130,209, the local median is 23.67% above the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Buena Park: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Buena Park Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Buena Park median: $130,209/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Buena Park Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $128,538 | +1.30% more |
| National Average | $105,288 | +23.67% more |
Physical Therapists in Buena Park, CA earn a median of $130,209 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.67% higher than the national median of $105,288 and 1.30% above the California state average of $128,538.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Buena Park has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Buena Park, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $130,209 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $115,127 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$110,610
2025 BLS Actual
$127,083
2026 Current Est.
$130,209
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Buena Park (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $110,610 | Actual |
| 2020 | $112,552 | Actual |
| 2021 | $118,253 | Actual |
| 2022 | $120,850 | Actual |
| 2023 | $123,311 | Actual |
| 2024 | $124,844 | Actual |
| 2025 | $127,083 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $130,209 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $133,412 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Buena Park metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $110,610 (2019) to $127,083 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $133,412 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,802 (20.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Buena Park 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $97,787 – $108,232 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $108,232 – $130,209 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $130,209 – $151,955 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $151,955 – $167,666 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Buena Park
Looking at the local job market, there are currently 20 physical therapists employed in Buena Park, where the cost of living index stands at 113.1, indicating higher living expenses compared to the national average. This elevated cost can affect take-home pay, emphasizing the importance of securing positions in higher-paying settings such as outpatient orthopedic clinics or hospital inpatient rehab, which tend to offer greater financial rewards. Factors such as productivity expectations—measured by visits-per-day—can significantly influence earnings, with higher compensation often available for those pursuing board certification (OCS, SCS) or working in cash-pay practice models. To maximize physical therapist pay in Buena Park, professionals should consider specializing, enhancing their clinical skills, and targeting employers known for performance bonuses or incentives tied to patient volume, as these strategies can help them navigate the area's competitive environment effectively.
More salary data for Buena Park, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can physical therapists make $100K in Buena Park?
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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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $127,083 for physical therapistsin the Buena Park metropolitan area. A 2.46% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Buena Park 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