Physical Therapist Salary in Moreno Valley, CA: $129,770 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Moreno Valley, CA earns a median $129,770/year (≈ $62.39/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Moreno Valley's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $114,739 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physical therapists in Moreno Valley, California, are expected to earn a median annual salary of $129,770, which is significantly higher than the national median of $105,288. The local salary range indicates that entry-level positions may start at about $94,193, while more experienced professionals may earn as much as $177,351. These figures reflect local estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and are adjusted for the regional cost of living. Salaries can vary depending on the type of facility, with outpatient chains and private practices usually offering lower base pay compared to hospital settings. This disparity suggests that Moreno Valley's job market may favor certain structural choices and the type of care provided, influencing salary outcomes for its physical therapists.
About the Moreno Valley Market
Salary estimated from California average ($109,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $94,193 | $45.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $106,324 | $51.12 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $129,770 | $62.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $159,203 | $76.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $177,351 | $85.27 |
Median Salary Position
23.25% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Moreno Valley
In Moreno Valley, CA, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $83,158 (2026 est.). At $129,770, the local median is 23.25% above the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Moreno Valley: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Moreno Valley Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Moreno Valley median: $129,770/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Moreno Valley Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $128,612 | +0.90% more |
| National Average | $105,288 | +23.25% more |
Physical Therapists in Moreno Valley, CA earn a median of $129,770 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.25% higher than the national median of $105,288 and 0.90% above the California state average of $128,612.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Moreno Valley has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Moreno Valley, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $129,770 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $114,739 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$110,237
2025 BLS Actual
$126,654
2026 Current Est.
$129,770
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Moreno Valley (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $110,237 | Actual |
| 2020 | $112,172 | Actual |
| 2021 | $117,854 | Actual |
| 2022 | $120,442 | Actual |
| 2023 | $122,895 | Actual |
| 2024 | $124,423 | Actual |
| 2025 | $126,654 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $129,770 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $132,962 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Moreno Valley metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $110,237 (2019) to $126,654 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $132,962 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,725 (20.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Moreno Valley 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) | $94,193 – $106,324 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $106,324 – $129,770 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $129,770 – $159,203 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $159,203 – $177,351 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Moreno Valley
With 53 physical therapists currently employed in Moreno Valley, the local job market shows a reasonable level of demand. However, the cost of living index is elevated at 113.1, which implies that the increased salaries provide a relatively reduced purchasing power compared to the national average. Principal employers, such as outpatient orthopedic clinics and certain hospital systems, tend to pay competitive wages, particularly for those professionals specializing in high-demand areas like sports rehabilitation or pediatrics. Factors influencing the variance in pay include productivity expectations, specialized board certifications like OCS or SCS, and the flexibility of cash-pay versus insurance models. To maximize earnings in this area, physical therapists should consider certifications that boost their marketability and explore opportunities within higher-paying environments, leveraging both their skill set and the demand for specialized care in Moreno Valley.
More salary data for Moreno Valley, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Moreno Valley, CA in 2026?
Is Moreno Valley, CA a good place to work as a physical therapist?
Can physical therapists make $100K in Moreno Valley?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist salary in Moreno Valley?
How much does a physical therapist make per hour in Moreno Valley?
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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 $126,654 for physical therapistsin the Moreno Valley 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 Moreno Valley 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