Physical Therapist Salary in Newport Beach, CA: $125,779 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Newport Beach, CA earns a median $125,779/year (≈ $60.47/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Newport Beach's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $111,210 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Newport Beach, California, physical therapists can expect a median annual salary of $125,779 in 2026, reflecting a notable 19.46% differential compared to the national median. The local salary range stretches from $97,519 at the 10th percentile to $165,784 at the 90th percentile, highlighting the diversity of compensation within the field. These figures, derived from BLS state-level data and regional price parity adjustments, underscore the influence of productivity expectations in shaping effective hourly compensation. As professionals balance the demands of client visits per day, the financial outlook for physical therapists in this affluent coastal city appears strong, making Newport Beach a competitive environment for practitioners looking to advance their careers.
About the Newport Beach Market
Salary estimated from California average ($109,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $97,519 | $46.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $106,843 | $51.36 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $125,779 | $60.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $149,079 | $71.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $165,784 | $79.70 |
Median Salary Position
19.46% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Newport Beach
In Newport Beach, CA, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $68,265 (2026 est.). At $125,779, the local median is 19.46% above the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Newport Beach: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Newport Beach Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Newport Beach median: $125,779/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Newport Beach Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $128,608 | -2.20% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | +19.46% more |
Physical Therapists in Newport Beach, CA earn a median of $125,779 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.46% higher than the national median of $105,288 and 2.20% below the California state average of $128,608.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Newport Beach has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Newport Beach, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $125,779 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $111,210 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$106,847
2025 BLS Actual
$122,759
2026 Current Est.
$125,779
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Newport Beach (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $106,847 | Actual |
| 2020 | $108,722 | Actual |
| 2021 | $114,229 | Actual |
| 2022 | $116,738 | Actual |
| 2023 | $119,115 | Actual |
| 2024 | $120,596 | Actual |
| 2025 | $122,759 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $125,779 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $128,873 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Newport Beach metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $106,847 (2019) to $122,759 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $128,873 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,026 (20.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Newport Beach 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) | $97,519 – $106,843 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $106,843 – $125,779 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $125,779 – $149,079 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $149,079 – $165,784 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Newport Beach
Focusing on the local job market, Newport Beach currently employs only 12 physical therapists, creating a relatively tight labor pool in this desirable area. The cost-of-living index stands at 113.1, indicating that while salaries may be higher than the national average, the increased expenses can impact take-home purchasing power significantly. Among local employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics, particularly chains like Athletico or ATI, typically offer competitive pay but often come with heightened productivity expectations, which can translate into bonuses for high-performing therapists. The contrast in salaries often stems from factors such as board certification stipends, clinic ownership opportunities, and differing payment models between cash-pay versus insurance-based practices. For physical therapists in Newport Beach, positioning oneself strategically in high-demand specialties or obtaining advanced certifications like OCS or SCS can be key strategies for maximizing compensation in this dynamic market.
More salary data for Newport Beach, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Newport Beach, CA in 2026?
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Can physical therapists make $100K in Newport Beach?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist salary in Newport Beach?
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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 $122,759 for physical therapistsin the Newport Beach 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 Newport Beach 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