Physical Therapists pay range in Merced
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $89,730 a year or less, while the top 10% make $203,820 or more. The middle half of physical therapists in Merced earn between $100,080 and $156,880.
- $90K10th
- $100K25th
- $126KMedian
- $157K75th
- $204K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $132,390 | $11,032 | $63.65 |
| Median | $126,000 | $10,500 | $60.58 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $100,080 | $8,340 | $48.12 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $156,880 | $13,073 | $75.42 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Physical Therapists pay in Merced vs. California and the U.S.
Physical therapists in Merced earn 8% more than the California average ($122,580) and 26% more than the U.S. average ($105,280). At the median the gap is +23% against the U.S. median of $102,760.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merced | $132,390 | $126,000 | $89,730 | $203,820 | 60 |
| California | $122,580 | $124,190 | $85,580 | $163,960 | 26,580 |
| United States | $105,280 | $102,760 | $77,140 | $135,140 | 267,330 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Physical Therapists salary after taxes in Merced
On the average salary of $132,390, a single filer in Merced takes home about $93,534 a year, or $7,795 a month and $3,597 every two weeks. Taxes take 29% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
Is Merced a good place for physical therapists? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Merced area are 2% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 98.3), so the average $132,390 buys what about $134,714 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 2.7 times the median wage of all jobs in Merced ($47,220). A typical home costs $419,171, or 3.2 years of this average salary before tax.
Physical Therapists salary in other California cities
Merced ranks 6th of 25 California metro areas for this job; San Francisco pays the most ($145,040).
- San Francisco$145,040
- San Jose$140,090
- Napa$136,360
- Santa Rosa$135,520
- Vallejo$132,660
- Merced$132,390
- Santa Maria$129,040
- Sacramento$128,040
- Santa Cruz$126,730
- Bakersfield$124,100
Highest-paying cities for physical therapists
San Francisco, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($145,040).
- San Francisco, CA$145,040
- San Jose, CA$140,090
- Napa, CA$136,360
- Santa Rosa, CA$135,520
- Vallejo, CA$132,660
Does this match what you are paid?
Anonymous, no account. Results update as visitors answer.
Share your pay anonymously
Physical Therapists salary in Merced: questions
How much do physical therapists make an hour in Merced?
$63.65 an hour on average, and $60.58 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level physical therapists salary in Merced?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $89,730 a year and the 25th percentile is $100,080, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the physical therapists take-home pay in Merced?
About $93,534 a year ($7,795 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $132,390. California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
Do physical therapists earn more in Merced than elsewhere?
The average here is 26% more than the U.S. average for this job ($105,280).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 29-1123; area Merced, CA (32900). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 2.6%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.45, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.45).
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.