Best cities for a Physical Therapist
The best cities for physical therapists are Stockton, CA, Fresno, CA, and Bakersfield, CA, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for physical therapists vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for physical therapists in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a physical therapist or considering a move, this list of the best cities for physical therapists to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for physical therapists. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a physical therapist. While the absolute best city for physical therapists is Stockton, CA, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for physical therapists in 2024.
If you're looking for a Physical Therapist job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for Physical therapists In 2025
1. Stockton, CA
Physical Therapist Jobs in StocktonTotal Physical Therapist jobs: 78 Average annual salary: $108,309 Lowest 10 percent warn: $82,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $142,000 Location quotient: 1.28 2. Fresno, CA
Physical Therapist Jobs in FresnoTotal Physical Therapist jobs: 108 Average annual salary: $108,105 Lowest 10 percent warn: $81,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $143,000 Location quotient: 1.12 3. Bakersfield, CA
Physical Therapist Jobs in BakersfieldTotal Physical Therapist jobs: 97 Average annual salary: $107,532 Lowest 10 percent warn: $80,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $142,000 Location quotient: 1.25 4. Detroit, MI
Physical Therapist Jobs in DetroitTotal Physical Therapist jobs: 231 Average annual salary: $71,681 Lowest 10 percent warn: $57,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $89,000 Location quotient: 1.34 5. Anchorage, AK
Physical Therapist Jobs in AnchorageTotal Physical Therapist jobs: 65 Average annual salary: $96,638 Lowest 10 percent warn: $78,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $119,000 Location quotient: 0.75 6. Henderson, NV
Physical Therapist Jobs in HendersonTotal Physical Therapist jobs: 40 Average annual salary: $85,216 Lowest 10 percent warn: $64,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $112,000 Location quotient: 0.84 7. Oakland, CA
Physical Therapist Jobs in OaklandTotal Physical Therapist jobs: 90 Average annual salary: $109,579 Lowest 10 percent warn: $82,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $144,000 Location quotient: 0.55 8. Chula Vista, CA
Physical Therapist Jobs in Chula VistaTotal Physical Therapist jobs: 22 Average annual salary: $102,418 Lowest 10 percent warn: $77,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $135,000 Location quotient: 0.89 9. Corpus Christi, TX
Physical Therapist Jobs in Corpus ChristiTotal Physical Therapist jobs: 83 Average annual salary: $73,342 Lowest 10 percent warn: $57,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $92,000 Location quotient: 2.12 10. Albuquerque, NM
Physical Therapist Jobs in AlbuquerqueTotal Physical Therapist jobs: 254 Average annual salary: $74,431 Lowest 10 percent warn: $58,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $95,000 Location quotient: 1.11
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Best cities for physical therapists
- Stockton, CA
- Fresno, CA
- Bakersfield, CA
- Detroit, MI
- Anchorage, AK
- Henderson, NV
- Oakland, CA
- Chula Vista, CA
- Corpus Christi, TX
- Albuquerque, NM
Detailed list of the best cities for a Physical Therapist
Rank  | City | Average Salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job Count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stockton, CA | $108,309 | $82,000 | 307,072 | 78 |
| 2 | Fresno, CA | $108,105 | $81,000 | 522,053 | 108 |
| 3 | Bakersfield, CA | $107,532 | $80,000 | 376,380 | 97 |
| 4 | Detroit, MI | $71,681 | $57,000 | 672,795 | 231 |
| 5 | Anchorage, AK | $96,638 | $78,000 | 298,192 | 65 |
| 6 | Henderson, NV | $85,216 | $64,000 | 292,969 | 40 |
| 7 | Oakland, CA | $109,579 | $82,000 | 420,005 | 90 |
| 8 | Chula Vista, CA | $102,418 | $77,000 | 267,172 | 22 |
| 9 | Corpus Christi, TX | $73,342 | $57,000 | 325,733 | 83 |
| 10 | Albuquerque, NM | $74,431 | $58,000 | 559,277 | 254 |
| 11 | Lubbock, TX | $72,779 | $57,000 | 252,506 | 99 |
| 12 | Mesa, AZ | $76,879 | $58,000 | 484,587 | 67 |
| 13 | Glendale, AZ | $77,499 | $59,000 | 245,895 | 28 |
| 14 | Fort Wayne, IN | $70,998 | $56,000 | 264,488 | 88 |
| 15 | El Paso, TX | $74,558 | $58,000 | 683,080 | 92 |
| 16 | Laredo, TX | $73,736 | $58,000 | 257,156 | 65 |
| 17 | Arlington, TX | $72,198 | $57,000 | 392,772 | 122 |
| 18 | Las Vegas, NV | $85,363 | $64,000 | 632,912 | 178 |
| 19 | Tucson, AZ | $74,916 | $57,000 | 530,706 | 194 |
| 20 | Indianapolis, IN | $70,971 | $56,000 | 855,164 | 158 |
| 21 | Santa Ana, CA | $105,228 | $79,000 | 334,217 | 36 |
| 22 | Fremont, CA | $109,615 | $82,000 | 233,136 | 103 |
| 23 | Sacramento, CA | $107,495 | $81,000 | 495,234 | 132 |
| 24 | Gilbert, AZ | $76,809 | $58,000 | 237,133 | 21 |
| 25 | Tulsa, OK | $71,827 | $57,000 | 403,090 | 74 |
| 26 | Long Beach, CA | $105,562 | $79,000 | 470,130 | 36 |
| 27 | Anaheim, CA | $105,381 | $79,000 | 351,043 | 30 |
| 28 | Riverside, CA | $104,983 | $79,000 | 324,722 | 36 |
| 29 | Garland, TX | $72,116 | $57,000 | 234,943 | 35 |
| 30 | San Antonio, TX | $73,105 | $57,000 | 1,492,510 | 44 |
| 31 | Reno, NV | $85,568 | $65,000 | 245,255 | 36 |
| 32 | Los Angeles, CA | $106,044 | $79,000 | 3,976,322 | 126 |
| 33 | Fort Worth, TX | $72,215 | $57,000 | 854,113 | 170 |
| 34 | Toledo, OH | $69,195 | $55,000 | 278,508 | 41 |
| 35 | Winston-Salem, NC | $71,075 | $56,000 | 242,203 | 88 |
| 36 | San Jose, CA | $109,755 | $82,000 | 1,025,350 | 201 |
| 37 | Lexington, KY | $70,005 | $55,000 | 318,449 | 49 |
| 38 | North Las Vegas, NV | $85,174 | $64,000 | 238,702 | 4 |
| 39 | New Orleans, LA | $73,533 | $58,000 | 391,495 | 62 |
| 40 | Philadelphia, PA | $71,347 | $56,000 | 1,567,872 | 81 |
| 41 | Hialeah, FL | $67,156 | $54,000 | 236,387 | 45 |
| 42 | Phoenix, AZ | $77,440 | $58,000 | 1,615,017 | 229 |
| 43 | Hempstead, NY | $74,420 | $59,000 | 759,757 | 30 |
| 44 | San Francisco, CA | $109,793 | $83,000 | 870,887 | 222 |
| 45 | Brookhaven, NY | $74,450 | $59,000 | 486,040 | 4 |
| 46 | Dallas, TX | $72,157 | $57,000 | 1,317,929 | 180 |
| 47 | Scottsdale, AZ | $77,331 | $58,000 | 246,645 | 37 |
| 48 | Milwaukee, WI | $71,849 | $57,000 | 595,047 | 86 |
| 49 | Oklahoma City, OK | $71,876 | $57,000 | 638,367 | 73 |
| 50 | Saint Petersburg, FL | $67,632 | $54,000 | 260,999 | 101 |
Highest paying cities for physical therapists
| Rank | City | Avg. Physical Therapist Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $109,793 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $88,886 |
| 3 | Las Vegas, NV | $85,363 |
| 4 | Boston, MA | $79,814 |
| 5 | Jackson, NJ | $78,894 |
| 6 | Portland, OR | $78,788 |
| 7 | Washington, DC | $78,216 |
| 8 | Austin, MN | $77,664 |
| 9 | Phoenix, AZ | $77,440 |
| 10 | Wilmington, DE | $76,981 |
| 11 | Baltimore, MD | $76,787 |
| 12 | Arlington, VA | $75,642 |
| 13 | Chicago, IL | $75,246 |
| 14 | Jackson, MS | $75,185 |
| 15 | Albuquerque, NM | $74,431 |
| 16 | New York, NY | $74,394 |
| 17 | San Antonio, TX | $73,105 |
| 18 | Denver, CO | $72,659 |
| 19 | Detroit, MI | $71,681 |
| 20 | Philadelphia, PA | $71,347 |
Physical Therapist best cities FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025