US
Fresno, CA
California salary market
$137K
Avg / Year
+35% vs U.S.
vs National
600
Employment
$11.4K
Monthly Avg
Updated for 2026

Physical Therapist Salary in Fresno, CA (2026)

The Physical Therapist salary in Fresno, CA for 2026 is presented as a modeled salary benchmark built from the latest official BLS wage baseline, then extended with wage trend history, employment outlook, and tech-market signals where available. This guide compares the Fresno, CA market with the U.S. baseline and breaks projected pay down by experience, skills, industry, and nearby markets.

Official BLS baseline: 2024Fresno, CA city pageModeled salary guide10 min read
City Average
$137K
per year
Entry Level
$98.2K
starting range
Senior Level
$153K
upper local band
Remote / Hybrid
$139K
modeled local premium
Monthly
$11.4K
avg before tax
Hourly Rate
$58
median equivalent
Salary figures projected to 2026  from May 2024BLS OEWS baseline  ·  Projections use wage history, employment outlook, and tech-market signals where available
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Physical Therapist Salary Overview in Fresno, CA

Careerclev's modeled 2026 benchmark places Physical Therapist pay in Fresno, CA at about $136,595 per year. On the latest official BLS baseline for this market, the lower local range starts near $86,550.0, while the strongest-paid professionals can reach about $137,890.

Salary estimates are based on data from the Fresno, CA metropolitan area.

If you’re comparing Physical Therapist salaries in Fresno, CA, the real story isn’t just the headline number. Local employer mix, seniority, specialization, and whether the role is remote, hybrid, or onsite can push compensation well above or below the local median.

Fresno, CA vs. U.S. National Average

Fresno, CA pays +35% vs u.s. for Physical Therapist roles. The difference is driven by local employer demand, industry mix, cost pressures, and how concentrated this role is in the underlying metro labor market.

United States National Average
$101K
all U.S. markets combined
+35%
Fresno, CA Premium
Fresno, CA City Average
$137K
Physical Therapist
MarketProjected Salaryvs Fresno, CAMarket Maturity
Fresno, CA (this guide)$136,595BaselineLocal market
United States$101,020-26% vs U.S.National baseline
San Jose, CA$137,250Near nationalComparable city
Vallejo, CA$136,440Near nationalComparable city
San Francisco, CA$136,200Near nationalComparable city
Why Fresno, CA pay differsThe strongest city salary premiums usually appear where employers compete for specialized talent, where the role is concentrated, and where local costs make compensation harder to hold down.

Physical Therapist Salary by Experience Level in Fresno, CA

Experience changes the local salary picture quickly because employers usually pay for independence, specialization, and broader scope, not just years on paper. In Fresno, CA, this breakdown shows how aPhysical Therapist can move from early-career pay into stronger bands as the role becomes more self-directed.

Entry-Level
0-2 years
$115K
$66/hr median equivalent
$98.2K - $137K
Mid-Level
3-5 years
$137K
$66/hr median equivalent
$115K - $153K
Senior
6-10 years
$153K
$66/hr median equivalent
$137K - $156K
Lead / Principal
10+ years
$156K
$66/hr median equivalent
$153K - $191K
LevelExperienceProjected SalaryProjected RangeMarket Signal
Entry-Level Physical Therapist0-2 years$115,181$98,167.0 - $136,595+14% vs U.S.
Mid-Level Physical Therapist3-5 years$136,595$115,181 - $152,939+35% vs U.S.
Senior Physical Therapist6-10 years$152,939$136,595 - $156,399+51% vs U.S.
Lead / Principal Physical Therapist10+ years$156,399$152,939 - $190,807+55% vs U.S.
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Best Salary Areas Near Fresno, CA

Nearby metro areas help show how Physical Therapist pay changes around Fresno, CA. Each market reflects its own employer mix, local demand, and industry concentration, making these comparisons useful for candidates weighing their location options.

#1
Fresno, CA
$137K
avg / year
Salary estimates are based on data from the Fresno, CA metropolitan area.
This guide
#2
San Jose, CA
$137K
avg / year
Nearby labor market benchmark for comparing Physical Therapist salaries around Fresno, CA.
Near national
#3
Vallejo, CA
$136K
avg / year
Nearby labor market benchmark for comparing Physical Therapist salaries around Fresno, CA.
Near national
#4
San Francisco, CA
$136K
avg / year
Nearby labor market benchmark for comparing Physical Therapist salaries around Fresno, CA.
Near national
#5
Santa Rosa, CA
$135K
avg / year
Nearby labor market benchmark for comparing Physical Therapist salaries around Fresno, CA.
-1% vs U.S.

Physical Therapist Salary by Industry in Fresno, CA

Industry premiums in Fresno, CA usually come from employers that place the Physical Therapist role close to revenue, infrastructure, compliance, product delivery, or other high-value work. National industry data gives the best available benchmark until local industry slices are available.

IndustryModeled SalaryReference RangeSignal
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services$116,570$82,020.0 - $136,240Stronger salary
Government Excluding Schools, Hospitals, and Postal Service$108,040$80,240.0 - $133,640Stronger salary
Finance and Insurance$105,830$69,990.0 - $109,110Stronger salary
Government, Schools, Hospitals, and Postal Service$103,980$75,610.0 - $134,410Competitive
Health Care and Social Assistance$101,200$75,400.0 - $132,570Competitive
Management of Companies and Enterprises$101,020$83,580.0 - $147,600Competitive
Educational Services$94,280.0$64,230.0 - $133,990Competitive
Other Services Except Public Administration$93,700.0$46,890.0 - $134,410Competitive

Entry-Level Physical Therapist Salary in Fresno, CA

Entry-level Physical Therapist jobs in Fresno, CA are modeled around the lower local wage percentiles. Candidates who can show practical projects, job-ready tools, and strong fundamentals usually have a better path into the middle of the local salary range.

For a broader starting-pay benchmark beyond this city market, see the entry-level Physical Therapist salary guide.

Entry estimateA reasonable entry-level salary benchmark for Physical Therapist roles in Fresno, CA is about $115,181.
Preparation pathJob Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed. Typical education: Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree). Training signal: Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.

Remote vs Onsite Physical Therapist Pay in Fresno, CA

Remote work can widen the employer pool for Physical Therapist candidates in Fresno, CA. Onsite and hybrid roles may still pay more when employers need local availability, local clients, regulated work, or team coverage.

Local Onsite Role
$136,595
avg local employer
Hybrid Role
$139,327
modeled local premium
+2% local avg
Work TypeEstimated SalaryExperienceBest FitFlexibility
Remote$133,863Market dependentNational hiring poolsHigh
Hybrid$139,327Metro dependentFresno, CA employersMedium
Onsite$136,595Location dependentLocal teams and operationsLower

Cost of Living vs Salary in Fresno, CA

A salary in Fresno, CA should be read alongside housing, commuting, tax, and everyday costs. The same annual pay can feel very different at entry, mid-level, and senior levels.

Monthly Expense
Entry
Mid
Senior
Housing / rent
$1.8K
$2.5K
$3.2K
Transport / commute
$398.4
$455.3
$512.2
Food and groceries
$853.7
$910.6
$1.0K
Utilities and internet
$398.4
$455.3
$512.2
Estimated remainder
$3.9K
$5.9K
$7.3K
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Top Employers Hiring Physical Therapists in Fresno, CA

Employer mix is one of the biggest city-level salary drivers. The industries below highlight where Physical Therapist pay tends to be strongest in Fresno, CA, based on the sectors that create the most hiring demand for this role.

1
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services employers
$117K
Industry benchmark for Physical Therapist roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
2
Government Excluding Schools, Hospitals, and Postal Service employers
$108K
Industry benchmark for Physical Therapist roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
3
Finance and Insurance employers
$106K
Industry benchmark for Physical Therapist roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
4
Government, Schools, Hospitals, and Postal Service employers
$104K
Industry benchmark for Physical Therapist roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
5
Health Care and Social Assistance employers
$101K
Industry benchmark for Physical Therapist roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
6
Management of Companies and Enterprises employers
$101K
Industry benchmark for Physical Therapist roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.

Fresno, CA Compared With Other U.S. Cities

This comparison is useful when one city salary number is not enough on its own. It shows whetherFresno, CA is genuinely a stronger-paying market for Physical Therapist work or whether the local benchmark sits closer to the broader national middle.

Fresno, CA
This guide
$137K
Baseline
San Jose, CA
Nearby U.S. market
$137K
Near national
Vallejo, CA
Nearby U.S. market
$136K
Near national
San Francisco, CA
Nearby U.S. market
$136K
Near national
Santa Rosa, CA
Nearby U.S. market
$135K
-1% vs U.S.
Chico, CA
Nearby U.S. market
$131K
-4% vs U.S.
Sacramento, CA
Nearby U.S. market
$130K
-5% vs U.S.

Career Growth Opportunities in Fresno, CA

Local career growth is strongest when it is read through both the city salary ladder and the broader national demand outlook. The city salary benchmark shows what this market currently pays, while the career path and BLS demand data show how that benchmark can expand with scope and responsibility.

1
Intern / Trainee
$58.6K - $78.8K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
2
Junior
$72.7K - $96.0K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
3
Mid Level
$90.9K - $113K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
4
Senior
$109K - $141K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
5
Lead
$129K - $164K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
6
Principal / Architect
$152K - $207K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
BLS Demand SignalEmployment is projected to change by 10.9% from 2024 to 2034.
Much faster than averageAnnual openings: 13.2 thousand.
Metric2026 Outlook
Projected employment267.2k → 296.4k
Typical educationMost of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Related experienceExtensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
Local market anchor600 jobs with a median of $136,595

Factors Affecting Physical Therapist Salary in Fresno, CA

Local pay rarely moves for one reason alone. In city markets, the biggest differences usually come from employer concentration, industry mix, seniority, and whether the role is tied to business-critical work that is harder to staff.

Years of Experience
Salary usually rises as the role moves from entry-level execution to independent ownership, mentoring, and broader decision-making.
Location and Cost of Living
Local salary ranges vary by labor market, employer density, and household-income context.
Industry
Industry pay can vary when employers in higher-margin or harder-to-staff sectors compete for the same occupation.
Specialized Skills
O*NET marks high-demand role-specific skills as relevant skills for this role, making them useful anchors for specialization and salary-growth content.

How to Increase Your Physical Therapist Salary in Fresno, CA

In city markets, salary growth often comes from better positioning as much as from patience. These moves are most useful when you already understand the local benchmark and want a clearer path beyond it.

1
Benchmark against stronger markets
Compare national, metro, and industry salary facts before negotiating so your target range is grounded in current wage data.
1-3 months timeline
2
Build a visible specialization
Prioritize skills such as high-demand role-specific skills; O*NET relevance scores make these good first candidates for portfolio and resume positioning.
3-9 months timeline
3
Target higher-paying industries
Use industry salary facts to identify sectors that already pay above the occupation baseline.
2-6 months timeline
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Physical Therapist Salary in Fresno, CA: FAQs

These questions usually come up after readers compare the city benchmark, the statewide picture, and the local experience ladder. They help clarify how to read the market and what matters most when you compare this city with other options.

These FAQs focus on how readers searching for "Physical Therapist" usually compare local pay, employer mix, and market differences in this city.

What is the average Physical Therapist in Fresno, CAs salary?
The latest national baseline for Physical Therapists is about $101,000 per year, based on the current BLS-derived salary facts in CareerClev.
What is the entry-level Physical Therapist in Fresno, CAs salary?
Entry-level estimates for Physical Therapists are modeled around the lower BLS percentile range, currently about $74,400 per year nationally.
How much can senior Physical Therapist in Fresno, CAs professionals earn?
Senior Physical Therapists estimates are modeled from upper percentile wage bands and currently sit around $117,200 per year nationally.
Does location affect Physical Therapist in Fresno, CAs salary?
Yes. CareerClev stores salary facts by national, state, and metro locations, so location-specific pages should use the closest available geography instead of a single national number.
Which skills matter for Physical Therapist in Fresno, CAs salary growth?
CareerClev uses O*NET skill importance and level scores to identify role-relevant skills. These are useful for recommendations, but should not be presented as measured salary premiums unless enriched compensation data exists.
Data
Data Sources & MethodologyUpdated using 2024 BLS OEWS salary facts, O*NET occupation-skill data, Census location context where available, ILOSTAT country benchmarks where mapped, BLS Employment Projections where imported, and Stack Overflow Developer Survey enrichment for mapped tech roles.
Salary figures use BLS OEWS wage facts for 2024. City pages use the BLS metropolitan area as the salary dataset, display the largest city as the public page name, and model experience bands from local wage percentiles.
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