Physical Therapist I - Per Diem

Physical TherapistPer Diem

Listed compensation

$68.72/hr

The week · per this posting

Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, weekend coverage and time off.

Posted 16m ago · Verified live

Job Description

Under general supervision, evaluates patients, identifies problems, plans programs, prepares and implements patient education and provides direct patient care to help the individual reach his/her potential. Position is autonomous for clinical provision of care in their area of practice within their scope and follows standards of care.

Core Competencies

Evaluates patients to obtain and interpret data necessary for treatment planning and implementation.

Analyzes evaluation results to identify the patients major problems, establishes goals with the patient, and develops and adjusts treatment programs.

Performs treatments based on evaluation results aimed at increasing a patients functional level. This includes but is not limited to developing or restoring strength, coordination, endurance, range of motion, and motor skills, or relieving pain as well as applying physical agents such as heat, cold, electricity, light and water.

Clinician is responsible for the provision of outpatient therapy for children, adults, and adolescents

Maintains clinical records, clinical notes, and reports to the physician changes in the patient's condition

Instructs patients family/caregiver and other health care personnel in patient's treatment regimen when indicated and appropriate.

Performs peer review and participates in performance evaluation through level I therapists.

Participates in the planning and developing of existing and new programs, procedures and policies.

Supervises daily operation as needed.

Evaluates and makes positive suggestions for change in the environment.

Participates in hospital performance improvement activities (kaizens, lean initiatives) when appropriate.

Seeks supervisor as appropriate.

Maintains up-to-date knowledge of physical therapy through attendance of seminars, workshops, lectures, individual research, and review of current literature, Shares knowledge with staff through in-services and clinical training.

Adheres to productivity standards established per area.

Demonstrates a cost conscious attitude in use of and ordering supplies and equipment.

Maintains medication security to authorized personnel only.

Participation in case conferences and discharge planning.

Department Specific Competencies

Education

  • Degree Program
  • Bachelors N/A

Additional Information

Physical Therapy

Experience

  • Number of Years Experience Type of Experience
  • 0

Additional Information

N/A

  • License / Certification Requirements
  • PT license or Valid Physical Therapy license applicant status
  • BCLS or ACLS Certification

Compensation Range

$68.72/hr

Key Responsibilities

The physical therapist evaluates patients, develops individualized treatment programs, and provides direct care to improve functional levels. They also maintain clinical records, participate in performance improvement initiatives, and educate patients and their families.

Requirements

Candidates must hold a valid Physical Therapy license or be an applicant for one. Additionally, a BCLS or ACLS certification is required for this position.

Qualifications

Education
Professional certificate or licensure

Key Skills

Patient evaluationClinical documentationFunctional assessmentRange of motion exercisesPain managementCase management

Physical Therapist Career Context

In California, the Physical Therapy weighted monthly median benchmark on WeekdayDoc is ~$117k (902 salary observations; 3,365 listings), vs ~$94k nationally (9,596 salary observations; 51,209 listings). Monthly aggregates cover 2026-01-01 through 2026-09-01; these are not the modal's selected comparable-job medians.

Of the 50 active Physical Therapy listings this role was benchmarked against, 10% are remote, 28% have no call, 68% require no weekends.

Physical Therapy pay on WeekdayDoc is down 2.1% vs. the prior quarter (through Aug 2026).

The cost-of-living index for California is 110.7 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$143k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $129k in an average-cost state. 63.6% of California clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Top Physical Therapist Jobs

50 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution36 jobs

5
<$120k
10
$120k-145k
14
$145k-170k
7
$170k-195k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks31 jobs

401k / retirement match
65%
CME allowance
52%
Sign-on bonus
29%
Relocation assistance
16%
PSLF eligible
6%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Home Health Physical TherapistPer Diem

Transition Care Telemetry · Escondido, California

$80-$110/hr
#2

Physical Therapist Acute CarePer Diem

Sutter Health · San Francisco, California

$63.78-$89.28/hr
#3

Physical Therapist (PT) PRN

$60-$70/hr
#4

Physical Therapist (PT) *$1,500 in Hiring Bonuses!

$60-$70/hr
+ 48 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 5.1this job 3.0
Better work-life than 20% of Physical Therapy listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 21,634 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

Living in Torrance

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$1.09M
Typical market rent
$2,952/mo
Residents’ average commute
27 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
113.6
State income tax
Up to 13.3%
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Aug 2026), Zillow market rents (Aug 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

BEA 2024 · Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

City-level figures. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.