Orthopedic Physical Therapist Jobs in California

Orthopedic Physical Therapist jobs in California represent one of the most active markets in the country, with demand concentrated in outpatient orthopedic clinics, sports medicine practices, acute care hospitals, and post-surgical rehabilitation centers at every level from new graduate to senior clinician. The busiest hiring metros are Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego, where established employers such as Kaiser Permanente, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, and Dignity Health maintain ongoing orthopedic PT staffing needs. Manual therapy, sports rehabilitation, and post-operative joint replacement recovery are the most in-demand specialties across California. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles15
Top employerKaiser Permanente
Top citySan Jose, CA
Cities hiring13
Work type100% On-site
Top industryHealthcare

Showing 5 of 15+ Orthopedic Physical Therapist jobs

Ignite Human Capital
Physical Therapist – Orthopedic & Pelvic Health (Paid Specialty Residency)
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Ignite Human Capital
Added 1d ago
Physical Therapist – Orthopedic & Pelvic Health (Paid Specialty Residency)
Ignite Human Capital
San Rafael, California
Healthcare Administration
Patient Services & Wellbeing
Physical Therapy
$60 - $65/hr
Master's degree

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Matrix Physical Therapy and Wellness
Full Time Physical Therapist Wanted for Outpatient Orthopedic Clinic
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Matrix Physical Therapy and Wellness
Added 6d ago
Full Time Physical Therapist Wanted for Outpatient Orthopedic Clinic
Matrix Physical Therapy and Wellness
Santa Monica, California
Healthcare Administration
Patient Services & Wellbeing
Public Health
$41 - $55/hr
On-Site
CPR Certification
11-50

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M
Full Time Physical Therapist Wanted! Outpatient Orthopedic Clinic
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M
Added 6d ago
Full Time Physical Therapist Wanted! Outpatient Orthopedic Clinic
Matrix Physical Therapy and Wellness
Santa Monica, California
Healthcare Administration
Patient Services & Wellbeing
Public Health
$41 - $55/hr
On-Site
CPR Certification

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Synergy Orthopedics Specialists
Physical Therapist at Orthopedic Medical Group
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Synergy Orthopedics Specialists
Added 1w ago
Physical Therapist at Orthopedic Medical Group
Synergy Orthopedics Specialists
San Diego, California
Corporate Training
Corporate Training & Learning Development
Learning & Development
Teaching & Instruction
$85k - $92k/yr
Doctoral degree
51-200

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G
Physical Therapist - Outpatient Orthopedic (PTLAs, Entry Level are Welcome to Apply)
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G
Added 3w ago
Physical Therapist - Outpatient Orthopedic (PTLAs, Entry Level are Welcome to Apply)
Golden Hills Physical Therapy
Milpitas, California
Healthcare Administration
Mental & Behavioral Health
Social Work & Counseling
$90k - $130k/yr
On-Site

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See All 15 Orthopedic Physical Therapist Jobs in California

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Orthopedic Physical Therapist Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

San Jose
2 jobs
Santa Monica
2 jobs
Lodi
1 job
Chico
1 job
Dublin
1 job
Fresno
1 job
Oxnard
1 job
Oakland
1 job
Milpitas
1 job

Orthopedic Physical Therapist Job Market in California

A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente2 open roles
Matrix Physical Therapy and Wellness
Matrix Physical Therapy and Wellness2 open roles
Sutter Health
Sutter Health1 open role

Top Industries Hiring

  • Healthcare & Medical Services

What California Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in orthopedic physical therapist jobs across California.

  • Active California Physical Therapist license issued by the California Physical Therapy Board
  • Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from a CAPTE-accredited program
  • Orthopedic Certified Specialist credential or demonstrated orthopedic clinical experience preferred
  • Current CPR and Basic Life Support certification required at time of hire
  • Experience with manual therapy techniques including joint mobilization and soft tissue work
  • Familiarity with electronic medical records systems used in outpatient and hospital settings

Orthopedic Physical Therapist Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a orthopedic physical therapist in California?

You must earn a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from a CAPTE-accredited program and pass the National Physical Therapy Examination, then apply for licensure through the California Physical Therapy Board. California requires a separate state law and professional ethics examination before a license is issued. Most orthopedic-focused clinicians then pursue residency training or accumulate supervised clinical hours to sit for the Orthopedic Certified Specialist examination offered through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties.

How much do orthopedic physical therapists make in California?

Orthopedic physical therapists in California earn a median of about $124,190 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $85,580 for the lowest 10% to over $163,960 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.

Which companies hire orthopedic physical therapists in California?

Employers hiring orthopedic physical therapists in California right now include Kaiser Permanente, Matrix Physical Therapy and Wellness, and Sutter Health, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. California's density of large integrated health systems, multi-site outpatient orthopedic groups, and sports medicine networks means consistent openings across both major metros and suburban communities throughout the state.

Which California cities have the most orthopedic physical therapist jobs?

San Jose, Santa Monica, and Lodi have the most orthopedic physical therapist openings in California, reflecting the concentration of major hospital systems, sports medicine programs, and high-volume outpatient orthopedic practices in those metro areas. Smaller suburban cities within the greater Los Angeles and Bay Area regions also post consistent openings driven by the satellite clinic networks of large employers headquartered in those core metros.

Are there remote orthopedic physical therapist jobs in California?

Yes, but they're rare. Orthopedic physical therapy is inherently hands-on, so the vast majority of roles require in-person patient care. About 0% of orthopedic physical therapist openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and those positions are almost exclusively in telehealth triage, clinical education, or utilization review rather than direct patient treatment.

How can I get hired as a orthopedic physical therapist in California with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is applying to an accredited orthopedic physical therapy residency program, several of which are offered through California-based institutions such as Kaiser Permanente and UCSF Health. New graduates without residency options can target outpatient orthopedic clinics as a physical therapist in a general caseload role, which builds the hands-on experience needed to specialize. Holding an active California Physical Therapy Board license and completing continuing education in manual therapy strengthens any new-grad application considerably.

Where can I find and apply to orthopedic physical therapist jobs in California?

You can find and apply to orthopedic physical therapist jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across outpatient clinics, hospital systems, and sports medicine practices. Find the roles that fit your experience and location, then apply directly to each employer through the listings.

See All 15 Orthopedic Physical Therapist Jobs in California

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