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Sutter Health
San Francisco, California

Physical Therapist Acute Care

Physical Therapist Above average in Physical TherapyNo nightsPer Diem

Listed compensation

$63.78-$89.28/hr

Listing transparency4 of 6 stated

Ask the employer about the work setting and call expectations.

Employment & setting
Per Diem
Call expectations
Not specified
Weekends
Includes weekends
Posted 1h ago · Verified live

Job Description

We are so glad you are interested in joining Sutter Health!

Organization

CPMC-California Pacific Med Center Van Ness

Position Overview

Responsible for assessing, planning, organizing, and participating in rehabilitative programs that improve patient mobility, relieve pain, increase strength, and improve or correct disabling conditions resulting from disease or injury. Gains confidence and cooperation from the patient, their family/support group, and other healthcare providers through competent patient assessment, attentive monitoring and care, and effective communication. Adheres to all local/state/federal regulations, codes, policies and procedures to ensure privacy and safety while delivering optimal patient care. Provides clinical supervision of assistants and aides, and serves as clinical instructor for assigned students.

Job Description

EDUCATION:

Graduate of an accredited physical therapy program

OR graduate of an accredited physical therapy program that can be demonstrated with a valid PT license

Certification & Licensure

PT-Physical Therapist

OR Will also consider approved license applicant or resident training program employee.

BLS-Basic Life Support Healthcare Provider

Typical Experience

2 years of recent relevant experience.

Skills and Knowledge

Critical thinking, complex problems solving, decisive judgement and ability to work independently.

Knowledge and application of professional practice and regulatory requirements.

Must be able to work in demanding work environment, organize multiple priorities completing work duties within expected timelines and requirements.

Computer and required technology proficiency/competencies.

Demonstrates effective and efficient professional communication (verbal & written) skills as well as interpersonal skills, conflict resolution, teamwork/collaboration, customer service and community relations abilities.

Able to retain and apply new knowledge & skills.

Keeps abreast of professional practice development and advancement.

Job Shift

Days

Schedule

Per Diem/Casual

Shift Hours

8

Days of the Week

Monday - Friday, Variable

Weekend Requirements

Rotating Weekends

Benefits

No

Unions

No

Position Status

Non-Exempt

Weekly Hours

0

Employee Status

  • Per Diem/Casual
  • Sutter Health is an equal opportunity employer EOE/M/F/Disability/Veterans.
  • Pay Range is $63.78 to $89.28 / hour

The compensation range may vary based on the geographic location where the position is filled. Total compensation considers multiple factors, including, but not limited to a candidate’s experience, education, skills, licensure, certifications, departmental equity, training, and organizational needs. Base pay is only one component of Sutter Health’s comprehensive total rewards program. Eligible positions also include a comprehensive benefits package.

Key Responsibilities

Responsible for assessing, planning, and implementing rehabilitative programs to improve patient mobility and strength. Provides clinical supervision to assistants and aides while ensuring compliance with all regulatory standards and safety protocols.

Requirements

Requires a graduate degree from an accredited physical therapy program and a valid PT license. Candidates must have at least 2 years of recent relevant experience and hold a Basic Life Support certification.

Qualifications

Education
Master's degree (postgraduate degree)
Experience
2+ years of experience

Key Skills

Complex problem solvingCommunication skills

Work-Life Balance Analysis

WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Physical Therapist Acute Care at Sutter Health a 6.4 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as good. This places the position in the Above average in Physical Therapy — ranked against 20,816 active Physical Therapy listings on WeekdayDoc. Contributing factors include no night shifts.

Physical Therapist Career Context

In California, the Physical Therapy weighted monthly median benchmark on WeekdayDoc is ~$115k (706 salary observations; 1,448 listings), vs ~$93k nationally (20,704 salary observations; 48,650 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, 8% are remote, 38% have no call, 74% require no weekends.

Physical Therapy pay on WeekdayDoc is down 4.8% 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 ~$159k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $144k 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 · 35 employers

4
<$130k
12
$130k-150k
13
$150k-170k
6
$170k-190k
1
$196k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks32 jobs

401k / retirement match
59%
CME allowance
53%
Sign-on bonus
31%
Relocation assistance
16%
Loan repayment
9%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Home Health Physical TherapistPer Diem

Transition Care Telemetry · Escondido, California

$80-$110/hr
#2

Physical Therapist II, Inpatient Acute Rehabilitation, Per DiemPer Diem

Sutter Health · Oakland, California

$63.78-$89.28/hr
#3

Physical Therapist, Per Diem, Evening

$52.62-$72.18/hr
#4

Physical Therapist (PT) PRN

$60-$70/hr
+ 48 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

6.4/ 10
Listing-based score

Above average in Physical Therapy

  • No nights
  • Includes weekends

Living in San Francisco

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$1,741k
Typical market rent
$4,682/mo
Residents’ average commute
30 min
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.

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

Sutter Health logo

About Sutter Health

Hospitals and Health Care
Sacramento, California
10,000+ employees

Benefits & Perks

Comprehensive benefits package