What is the average Physical Therapy salary for Santa Cruz, CA?
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As of June 01, 2026, the average Physical Therapy salary in Santa Cruz, CA is $119,771. The chart below represents localized salaries for some of our most popular Physical Therapy job titles in Santa Cruz, CA. Salaries can vary greatly depending on numerous factors, including position, location, years of experience, and level of education. Salary.com’s team of Certified Compensation Professionals analyzed survey data collected from thousands of HR departments at companies of all sizes and industries to compile a range of salaries for various Physical Therapy job titles in Santa Cruz, CA. Apply your personal criteria to one of the job titles below to get your personalized salary estimate.
Physical Therapy Salaries in Santa Cruz, CA
| Job Title | Salary | Hourly Rate | Location | Date Updated |
| Physical Therapy Director | $176,943 | $85.07 | Santa Cruz, CA | June 01, 2026 |
| Physical Therapy Manager | $153,295 | $73.70 | Santa Cruz, CA | June 01, 2026 |
| Physical Therapy Supervisor | $143,397 | $68.94 | Santa Cruz, CA | June 01, 2026 |
| Instructor - Physical Therapy | $76,002 | $36.54 | Santa Cruz, CA | June 01, 2026 |
| Professor - Physical Therapy | $124,568 | $59.89 | Santa Cruz, CA | June 01, 2026 |
| Asst. Professor - Physical Therapy | $89,703 | $43.13 | Santa Cruz, CA | June 01, 2026 |
| Assoc. Professor - Physical Therapy | $106,892 | $51.39 | Santa Cruz, CA | June 01, 2026 |
| Physical Therapy Attendant | $44,985 | $21.63 | Santa Cruz, CA | June 01, 2026 |
| Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant | $78,374 | $37.68 | Santa Cruz, CA | June 01, 2026 |
| Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant - Home Care | $84,995 | $40.86 | Santa Cruz, CA | June 01, 2026 |
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Directs and oversees the programs and staff of the physical therapy division and/or clinic. Evaluates current physical therapy programs and researches potential new or revised therapy programs to improve the quality of patient care. Develops and implements physical therapy policies, objectives, and initiatives. Reviews operational procedures to ensure standards meet regulatory compliance and follow industry best practices. Sets and implements guidelines for physical therapy programs. Monitors patient progress and treatment plans. Requires a doctorate degree in physical therapy. Requires Certified Physical Therapist (CPT). Requires Licensed Physical Therapist (LPT). Typically reports to senior management. Manages a departmental sub-function within a broader departmental function. Creates functional strategies and specific objectives for the sub-function and develops budgets/policies/procedures to support the functional infrastructure. Typically requires 5+ years of managerial experience. Deep knowledge of the managed sub-function and solid knowledge of the overall departmental function. Physical Therapy Director Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Clinical Director of Physical Therapy, Physical Therapy Director
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Manages the programs and staff of the physical therapy division and/or clinic. Assesses physical therapy programs to evaluate the quality of patient care. Provides guidance to and monitors the performance of physical therapy staff. Ensures physical therapy staff follows regulatory compliance requirements and standard procedures. Performs training demonstrations for physical therapists and assistants. Monitors patient progress and treatment plans. May maintain a small caseload of patients. Requires a doctorate degree in physical therapy. Requires Certified Physical Therapist (CPT). Requires Licensed Physical Therapist (LPT). Typically reports to a director. Typically manages through subordinate managers and professionals in larger groups of moderate complexity. Provides input to strategic decisions that affect the functional area of responsibility. May give input into developing the budget. Typically requires 3+ years of managerial experience. Capable of resolving escalated issues arising from operations and requiring coordination with other departments. Physical Therapy Manager Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Clinical Manager of Physical Therapy, Physical Therapy Manager
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Supervises the staff of the physical therapy division and/or clinic. Assesses physical therapy programs to evaluate the quality of patient care. Provides guidance to and monitors the performance of physical therapy staff. Ensures physical therapy staff follows regulatory compliance requirements and standard procedures. May perform training demonstrations for physical therapists and assistants. May maintain a small caseload of patients. Requires a doctorate degree in physical therapy. Requires Certified Physical Therapist (CPT). Requires Licensed Physical Therapist (LPT). Typically reports to a manager. Supervises a group of primarily para-professional level staffs. May also be a level above a supervisor within high volume administrative/production environments. Makes day-to-day decisions within or for a group/small department. Has some authority for personnel actions. Typically requires 3-5 years experience in the related area as an individual contributor. Thorough knowledge of functional area and department processes. Physical Therapy Supervisor Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Clinical Supervisor of Physical Therapy, Physical Therapy Team Supervisor, Physical Therapy SupervisorCategory : Healthcare - Administrative
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Teaches courses in the discipline area of physical therapy. Develops and designs curriculum to foster student learning, stimulate class discussions, and ensure student engagement. Provides tutoring and academic counseling to students, maintains records, and assesses student coursework. Typically reports to a department head. Has a Master's degree or is a PhD candidate in the applicable field. Has experience and is qualified to teach at undergraduate level and possesses the qualifications to participate in research. Instructor - Physical Therapy Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:College Instructor - Physical Therapy, University Instructor - Physical Therapy, Instructor - Physical TherapyCategory : Education
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Teaches courses in the discipline area of physical therapy. Develops and designs curriculum plans to foster student learning, stimulate class discussions, and ensures student engagement. Provides tutoring and academic counseling to students, maintains classes related records, and assesses student coursework. Collaborates and supports colleagues regarding research interests and co-curricular activities. Typically reports to a department head. Requires a PhD or terminal degree appropriate to the field. Has considerable experience and is qualified to teach at undergraduate and graduate levels and initiates research and case studies in field of interest and may publish findings in trade journals or textbooks. Provides intellectual leadership and has made significant contributions to the field. May offer independent study opportunities and mentoring to students. Typically this individual is a leader in the field and has been published. Professor - Physical Therapy Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:College Professor - Physical Therapy, University Professor - Physical Therapy, Professor - Physical TherapyCategory : Education
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Teaches courses in the discipline area of physical therapy. Develops and designs curriculum plans to foster student learning, stimulate class discussions, and ensures student engagement. Provides tutoring and academic counseling to students, maintains classes related records, and assesses student coursework. Collaborates and supports colleagues regarding research interests and co-curricular activities. Typically reports to a department head. Requires a PhD or terminal degree appropriate to the field. Has experience and is qualified to teach at undergraduate and graduate levels and contributes to research in a specialized field. Asst. Professor - Physical Therapy Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:College Assistant Professor - Physical Therapy, University Assistant Professor - Physical Therapy, Asst. Professor - Physical TherapyCategory : Education
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Teaches courses in the discipline area of physical therapy. Develops and designs curriculum plans to foster student learning, stimulate class discussions, and ensures student engagement. Provides tutoring and academic counseling to students, maintains classes related records, and assesses student coursework. Collaborates and supports colleagues regarding research interests and co-curricular activities. Typically reports to a department head. Requires a PhD or terminal degree appropriate to the field. Has considerable experience and is qualified to teach at undergraduate and graduate levels and conducts research and case studies in field of interest and may publish findings in trade journals or textbooks. Assoc. Professor - Physical Therapy Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:College Associate Professor - Physical Therapy, University Associate Professor - Physical Therapy, Assoc. Professor - Physical TherapyCategory : Education
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Assists in the treatment of patients under the direction of physical therapists. Supports physical therapy care by preparing treatment areas, equipments, and materials. May be responsible for the operation and maintenance of equipment. Prepares and sanitizes treatment rooms for the patients. Helps maintain the treatment records of the patient. May perform various clerical duties such as greeting patients and scheduling appointments. Typically requires a high school diploma or equivalent. Typically reports to a manager. Works under the close direction of senior personnel in the functional area. Possesses a moderate understanding of general aspects of the job. May require 0-1 year of general work experience. Physical Therapy Attendant Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Physical Therapy Aide, Physiotherapy Assistant, Therapy Support Practitioner, Physical Therapy Attendant
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Assists one or more physical therapists in evaluations, tests, and treatments of patients. Prepares patients and equipment for therapy and implements treatment plans as instructed, including exercises, stretching maneuvers, hands-on therapy, and equipment. Records patient's reaction to treatment and provides status reports at the end of each treatment to the physical therapist. Requires an associate degree. Requires State physical therapist assistant license. Typically reports to a physical therapist. Years of experience may be unspecified. Certification and/or licensing in the position's specialty is the main requirement. Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Certified Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA), Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA), Physical Therapy Assistant, Physical Therapy Technician, PTA, Licensed Physical Therapist AssistantCategory : Healthcare - Technicians
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Assists one or more physical therapists in evaluations, tests, and treatments of patients in a home care environment. Prepares patients and equipment for therapy and implements treatment plans as instructed, including exercises, stretching maneuvers, hands-on therapy, and equipment. Records patient's reaction to treatment and provides status reports at the end of each treatment to the physical therapist. Requires an associate degree. Requires Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Certification. Requires Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant (LPTA). Typically reports to a physical therapist. Years of experience may be unspecified. Certification and/or licensing in the position's specialty is the main requirement. Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant - Home Care Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Certified Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Home Care, Physical Therapy Technician - Home Care, Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant - Home CareCategory : Healthcare - Technicians