Therapist Salary Guide: California
Average Therapist Salary
$57.61/hour
The average salary for a Therapist in California is $57.61 per hour. This is 16% higher than the US average of $48.61.
Last updated on October 5, 2026. Based on active jobs on Vivian.com.
Therapist salaries in California compared to National Averages
$57.61/hour
California
16% higher than the US average.
$48.61/hour
United States
What cities in California pay the most for Therapists?
Fresno, California pays Therapists the most, averaging $70 per hour, followed by Berkeley, California ($67) and Roseville, California ($63). Berkeley, California has the highest ceiling, with max hourly pay reaching $79. For comparison, the California average for Therapists is $58 per hour — Fresno, California pays 22% more.
| City | Average Hourly Salary | Max Hourly Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Fresno, California | $70 | $75 |
| Berkeley, California | $67 | $79 |
| Roseville, California | $63 | $78 |
| Glendale, California | $62 | $72 |
| Antioch, California | $61 | $66 |
| Marysville, California | $59 | $66 |
| Santa Monica, California | $56 | $63 |
What type of Therapists make the most money in California?
Speech Language Pathologist earns the most among Therapy specialties in California, averaging $65 per hour, followed by Occupational Therapist ($64) and Physical Therapist ($58). Speech Language Pathologist also has the highest ceiling, with max hourly pay reaching $72. For comparison, the California average for Therapists is $58 per hour — Speech Language Pathologist earns 13% more.
| Specialty | Average Hourly Salary | Max Hourly Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Speech Language Pathologist | $65 | $72 |
| Occupational Therapist | $64 | $72 |
| Physical Therapist | $58 | $70 |
| Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant | $50 | $55 |
| Physical Therapy Assistant | $46 | $55 |
How does the pay for Therapists in California compare to nearby states?
Oregon pays Therapists the most, averaging $56 per hour, followed by Texas ($46) and Arizona ($45). Oregon also has the highest ceiling, with max hourly pay reaching $66. For comparison, the California average for Therapists is $58 per hour — Oregon pays 3% less.
| Average Hourly Salary | Max Hourly Salary | |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon | $56 | $66 |
| Texas | $46 | $53 |
| Arizona | $45 | $56 |
| Colorado | $45 | $58 |
| Montana | $42 | $49 |
What are the highest paying Employers and Agencies for Therapist jobs in California?
CoreCivic pays Therapists the most, averaging $85 per hour, followed by Community Medical Centers ($63) and Adventist Health ($58). For comparison, the California average for Therapists is $58 per hour — CoreCivic pays 48% more.
| Average Hourly Salary | Max Hourly Salary | |
|---|---|---|
| CoreCivic | $85 | $85 |
| Community Medical Centers | $63 | $79 |
| Adventist Health | $58 | $71 |
| Tenet Desert | $54 | $60 |
| Select Medical | $51 | $61 |
| Confluent Health | $50 | $60 |
| Tenet North Cal | $43 | $43 |
| PT Solutions Physical Therapy | $43 | $60 |
Last updated on October 5, 2026. Information based on active jobs on Vivian.com and pay data from BLS and around the web.
Top Therapist Jobs
Correctional Psychologist
- California City Correctional Facility
- California City, CA
$150K-195K/year
Correctional Psychologist
- Otay Mesa Detention Center
- San Diego, CA
$85/hour
Manager - Mental Health
- Community Behavioral Health Center
- Fresno, CA
- 5x8 hrs, Days
$69-88/hour
Inpatient Physical Therapist
- Adventist Health
- Clearlake, CA
$57-85/hour
Speech Language Pathologist
- Adventist Health
- San Luis Obispo, CA
$54-80/hour
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