Physical Therapist Salary in Tulare, CA: $129,903 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Tulare, CA earns a median $129,903/year (≈ $62.45/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Tulare's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $114,857 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.0% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, those working as physical therapists in Tulare, California, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $129,903. This figure positions Tulare's physical therapist pay significantly above the national median of $105,288, illustrating a competitive local market. The salary range for physical therapists in the area spans from $96,925 at the 10th percentile to as high as $166,315 at the 90th percentile, offering a broad spectrum of earning potential based on experience and practice setting. These estimates derive from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local economic conditions, including the current high demand for outpatient care options, which impacts both hiring trends and remuneration.
About the Tulare Market
Salary estimated from California average ($109,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $96,925 | $46.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $107,602 | $51.73 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $129,903 | $62.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $151,323 | $72.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $166,315 | $79.96 |
Median Salary Position
23.38% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tulare
In Tulare, CA, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $69,390 (2026 est.). At $129,903, the local median is 23.38% above the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Tulare: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Tulare Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Tulare median: $129,903/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tulare Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $128,617 | +1.00% more |
| National Average | $105,288 | +23.38% more |
Physical Therapists in Tulare, CA earn a median of $129,903 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.38% higher than the national median of $105,288 and 1.00% above the California state average of $128,617.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tulare has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Tulare, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $129,903 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $114,857 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$110,350
2025 BLS Actual
$126,784
2026 Current Est.
$129,903
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Tulare (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $110,350 | Actual |
| 2020 | $112,287 | Actual |
| 2021 | $117,975 | Actual |
| 2022 | $120,566 | Actual |
| 2023 | $123,021 | Actual |
| 2024 | $124,551 | Actual |
| 2025 | $126,784 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $129,903 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $133,098 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tulare metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $110,350 (2019) to $126,784 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $133,098 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,748 (20.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tulare 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) | $96,925 – $107,602 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $107,602 – $129,903 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $129,903 – $151,323 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $151,323 – $166,315 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Tulare
The local job market for physical therapists in Tulare features 17 employed professionals, indicating a concentrated but potentially competitive field. The cost of living index in the area stands at 113.1, which suggests that while salaries may appear attractive, actual take-home pay could be affected by higher living expenses. Among various employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics often lead in compensation compared to hospital settings and home health agencies. Factors contributing to the disparity in pay include productivity expectations per visit, potential stipends for board certification specialties like Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) or Sports Clinical Specialist (SCS), and variations in practice models such as cash-pay versus insurance. To maximize earning potential, physical therapists in Tulare should consider pursuing board certifications, seeking positions in higher-paying outpatient settings, and enhancing productivity rates, as these strategies could bridge the gap between entry-level and top-tier compensation.
More salary data for Tulare, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Tulare, CA in 2026?
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Can physical therapists make $100K in Tulare?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist salary in Tulare?
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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 $126,784 for physical therapistsin the Tulare 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 Tulare 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