Physical Therapist Salary in Daly City, CA: $131,966 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Daly City, CA earns a median $131,966/year (≈ $63.44/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Daly City's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $116,681 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.6% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Physical therapists in Daly City, California, command a median annual salary of $131,966, significantly above the national median of $105,288, highlighting a robust job market for this profession. Local salaries range from $95,243 for the lower 10th percentile to as high as $171,518 for those at the 90th percentile, reflecting the influence of various clinical environments on compensation levels. Outpatient orthopedic clinics often lead in hiring, yet many therapists find higher salaries within hospital systems or skilled nursing facilities, which typically offer more comprehensive benefits and job security. These figures are based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, incorporating local economic conditions and the rising cost of living in the area.
About the Daly City Market
Salary estimated from California average ($109,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $95,243 | $45.79 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $107,557 | $51.71 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $131,966 | $63.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $154,464 | $74.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $171,518 | $82.46 |
Median Salary Position
25.34% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Daly City
In Daly City, CA, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $76,275 (2026 est.). At $131,966, the local median is 25.34% above the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Daly City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Daly City Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Daly City median: $131,966/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Daly City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $128,622 | +2.60% more |
| National Average | $105,288 | +25.34% more |
Physical Therapists in Daly City, CA earn a median of $131,966 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.34% higher than the national median of $105,288 and 2.60% above the California state average of $128,622.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Daly City has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Daly City, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $131,966 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $116,681 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$112,103
2025 BLS Actual
$128,798
2026 Current Est.
$131,966
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Daly City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $112,103 | Actual |
| 2020 | $114,071 | Actual |
| 2021 | $119,849 | Actual |
| 2022 | $122,481 | Actual |
| 2023 | $124,975 | Actual |
| 2024 | $126,529 | Actual |
| 2025 | $128,798 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $131,966 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $135,213 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Daly City metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $112,103 (2019) to $128,798 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $135,213 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,110 (20.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Daly City 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) | $95,243 – $107,557 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $107,557 – $131,966 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $131,966 – $154,464 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $154,464 – $171,518 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Daly City
In Daly City, where 20 physical therapists are currently employed, the competitive nature of the job market is evident. The local cost of living index stands at 113.1, indicating that although pay is higher than the national average, the purchasing power may be impacted by elevated living expenses. Several factors contribute to the disparities in physical therapist pay in Daly City, particularly the setting of practice. Outpatient facilities may emphasize productivity, creating incentives tied to the number of treatments per day, while hospitals can provide stability alongside higher wages. Board certifications such as OCS or SCS can also result in salary premiums. To maximize earning potential, new graduates should consider specializing, possibly pursuing positions in rehab facilities where comprehensive care and multi-disciplinary engagement are valued, leading to enhanced compensation opportunities.
More salary data for Daly City, 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
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 $128,798 for physical therapistsin the Daly City 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 Daly City 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