The Complete Career Guide for Physical Therapists in Fairfield, CA

As a career analyst who’s watched the Solano County healthcare market for over a decade, I can tell you this: Fairfield isn't San Francisco or Sacramento, but it's a solid, stable market for physical therapists with a lower cost of living than the major metros. It’s a blue-collar town with a major military presence, a growing healthcare infrastructure, and families who need care. If you’re looking for a place where you can build a career, own a home, and still have a reasonable commute, let’s break down what Fairfield really looks like for a PT.

The Salary Picture: Where Fairfield Stands

Let’s cut straight to the numbers. The data for physical therapists in the Fairfield metro area (which includes Vacaville and Suisun City) is competitive, especially when you factor in the cost of living.

Median Salary: $102,461/year
Hourly Rate: $49.26/hour
National Average: $99,710/year

Fairfield pays above the national average, but it's crucial to understand how this breaks down by experience. The local market rewards therapists who can handle complex cases, particularly in orthopedics and neurological rehab.

Experience Level	Typical Salary Range (Fairfield Metro)
Entry-Level (0-2 years)	$85,000 - $95,000
Mid-Level (3-7 years)	$98,000 - $110,000
Senior-Level (8-15 years)	$105,000 - $125,000
Expert/Specialist (15+ years)	$115,000 - $135,000+

Source: Data aggregated from BLS Metro Area figures, local job postings, and hospital salary surveys.

Insider Tip: The starting salaries at major hospitals like NorthBay Healthcare or Kaiser Permanente in nearby Vacaville are at the higher end of the entry-level scale, but they often have stricter step systems for raises. Private practice and skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) may offer more flexibility in your starting pay, especially if you have a niche skill set like vestibular therapy or pelvic floor health.

Comparison to Other CA Cities:

• San Francisco/Oakland: $120,000 - $140,000 median, but the cost of living is 30-40% higher. Your take-home in Fairfield will feel significantly better.
• Sacramento: $105,000 - $115,000 median. Very similar to Fairfield, but Sacramento's housing market is now more expensive and competitive.
• Los Angeles/Long Beach: $108,000 - $118,000 median. Comparable salary with worse traffic and much higher housing costs.

Fairfield sits in a sweet spot: a respectable wage without the brutal financial pressure of the Bay Area.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

A $102,461 salary sounds great, but what does it actually buy you in Fairfield? Let's run the numbers.

Monthly Budget Breakdown (Single Earner, No Dependents):

• Gross Monthly Income: $8,538

• Estimated Taxes (Federal, CA State, FICA, SDI): ~$2,500

• Net Monthly Income: ~$6,038

• Rent (1BR, Average): -$1,853

• Utilities (Electric, Gas, Internet): ~-$150

• Car Payment/Insurance: ~-$450 (Commuting I-80 or working at Travis AFB requires a reliable car)

• Groceries: ~-$400

• Student Loans (if applicable): ~-$400 (Average PT DPT loan is ~$150k)

• Health Insurance (employer contribution typical): ~-$150

• Remaining Discretionary: ~$2,635

Can they afford to buy a home?
Yes, but it's not immediate. The median home price in Fairfield is approximately $575,000. With a 20% down payment ($115,000), you're looking at a monthly mortgage payment (including taxes and insurance) of around $3,200 - $3,500.

Insider Tip: To comfortably afford a home, you'd need to be in the mid-to-senior level of your career (salary $110,000+) or have a dual-income household. Many local PTs live in neighboring Vacaville or Suisun City, where prices are slightly lower. Saving for a down payment while renting is the standard path. The Cost of Living Index of 109.2 (100 = US average) means everything is slightly more expensive than the national average, but it's manageable on this salary.

Where the Jobs Are: Fairfield's Major Employers

The job market here is stable, with about 241 PT jobs in the metro area. The 10-year job growth is projected at 14%, which is healthy, driven by an aging population and the large military community at Travis AFB. Here’s where you’ll find openings:

1. NorthBay Healthcare System: This is Fairfield’s primary local hospital system. Their outpatient orthopedic clinics are a major employer. They value clinical excellence and often hire for their inpatient rehab unit. Hiring is steady, often tied to their growth strategy. Check their careers page quarterly.

2. Sutter Health (VacaValley Hospital in Vacaville): Just a 10-minute drive north on I-80. Sutter offers a wide range of settings: acute care, outpatient, and home health. They have a strong internal referral network. Pro: Established benefits. Con: Can be bureaucratic.

3. Kaiser Permanente (South San Francisco & Vacaville): The Vacaville facility is a major medical center. Kaiser jobs are highly competitive due to their benefits package. They often seek PTs with experience in orthopedics, sports rehab, and pelvic health. Insider Tip: Knowing a current employee can help navigate the application process.

4. Solano County Public Health & Veterans Affairs: The VA Clinic in Fairfield serves veterans from Travis AFB and the surrounding area. County public health also hires PTs for school-based and early intervention programs. These roles offer excellent government benefits and job security.

5. Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs) / Long-Term Care: Companies like Genesis Healthcare and Sunrise Senior Living have facilities in Fairfield and nearby cities. This is a high-demand area due to the aging population. The work can be demanding but offers consistent hours and exposure to complex geriatric cases.

6. Private Practice & Outpatient Clinics: Look for chains like ATI Physical Therapy or CORA Physical Therapy, as well as smaller, locally-owned orthopedic and sports medicine clinics. These often offer higher productivity bonuses and more autonomy.

7. Home Health Agencies: Companies like Visiting Nurse Association of the North Bay or Kindred at Home hire PTs for home-based care. This offers flexibility but requires a reliable car and good time management.

Hiring Trends: There's a slight shortage of PTs with specialized certifications (e.g., OCS, NCS, WCS). If you have one, you'll be in higher demand. The military population at Travis AFB creates consistent referrals for orthopedic and neurological rehab, especially for service members and their families.

Getting Licensed in CA

California has specific, stringent requirements for physical therapists. If you're moving from another state, start this process now.

1. Education: Must have graduated from a CAPTE-accredited DPT program. (This is standard for all 50 states).
2. Examination: Pass the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) for PTs. This is administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT).
3. California-Specific Requirements (The Big One):
   • Jurisprudence Exam: You must pass the California Jurisprudence Assessment Module (JAM) on the CA Physical Therapy Board website. This tests your knowledge of state laws and regulations.
   • Background Check: A fingerprint-based criminal background check is mandatory.
   • Fees: Application fee ($250), license fee ($150), plus costs for the NPTE ($500+ per attempt) and the JAM (~$100). Total initial cost: $1,000 - $1,500.
4. Timeline: From application to license in hand, expect 3-6 months if you have all documents ready. Start the application process as soon as you accept a job offer.

Insider Tip: California is not a compact state. If you hold a license in another state, you cannot practice here until you get the CA license. Some employers will offer a start date contingent on obtaining the license, but having it in hand makes you a much stronger candidate.

Best Neighborhoods for Physical Therapists

Where you live in Fairfield will dramatically impact your commute and lifestyle. The city is divided by I-80, with the "Northside" and "Southside" being the main divides.

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	Avg. 1BR Rent	Best For...
Northside (Green Valley Area)	Quieter, more suburban, near Travis AFB. 10-15 min to NorthBay Hospital.	$1,900 - $2,100	PTs working at Travis AFB, NorthBay hospital, or who want a slower pace.
Southside/Downtown	More urban, walkable to restaurants, closer to the Fairfield Marina and parks. 5-10 min to most clinics.	$1,700 - $1,950	Younger PTs who want nightlife, a shorter walk to work, and a more active community.
Cordelia (East of I-80)	Upscale, family-oriented, excellent schools. 15-20 min commute to most jobs.	$2,000 - $2,300	Established PTs with families, or those who prioritize top-rated schools and a quiet environment.
Suisun City (Adjacent)	Historic, charming waterfront district. Slightly cheaper than Fairfield proper. 5-10 min to Fairfield jobs.	$1,600 - $1,850	PTs on a tighter budget who don’t mind a very short commute and a distinct small-town feel.
Vacaville (North)	Larger city feel, more shopping/dining options, like a suburb of Sacramento. 10-20 min to Fairfield jobs.	$1,850 - $2,000	PTs who want more urban amenities and don’t mind a slightly longer but straightforward commute on I-80.

Insider Tip: Traffic on I-80 is predictable but can be heavy during peak hours (7-9 AM, 4-6 PM). If you work at a clinic on the Southside but live on the Northside, your commute is against the main flow, which is a huge advantage.

The Long Game: Career Growth

A career in Fairfield can be very rewarding if you play the long game.

Specialty Premiums:

• Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS): Can add $5,000 - $10,000 to your salary. Highly valued in private practice and hospital outpatient.
• Neurologic Clinical Specialist (NCS): In demand at hospitals like NorthBay and in home health for stroke/TBI patients. Premium similar to OCS.
• Women's Health/Pelvic Floor (WCS): A growing niche. Few specialists in the area, so you can command higher rates and build a robust caseload quickly.
• Sports Clinical Specialist (SCS): Valuable for working with Travis AFB personnel and local high school/college athletes.

Advancement Paths:

1. Clinical Ladder: Many hospitals have a clinical ladder (e.g., PT I, II, III, IV). Moving up requires additional certifications, mentoring, and quality improvement projects. Each step comes with a raise.
2. Management: Becoming a Clinic Director or Rehab Manager. This path reduces direct patient care time but increases salary potential (often $120,000+).
3. Education: Teaching at a local community college (like Solano Community College) or a university's hybrid DPT program (if one expands to the region).
4. Entrepreneurship: Opening a cash-based practice (e.g., pelvic health, sports performance) to cater to the growing affluent population in Cordelia and Green Valley.

10-Year Outlook:
The 14% job growth is promising. The aging population and the stable military community will maintain demand. The rise of telehealth may change how some consults are done, but hands-on PT will remain essential. The key to long-term growth here is specialization. Generalists will have jobs, but specialists will have choice, higher pay, and more influence.

The Verdict: Is Fairfield Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Above-average salary relative to cost of living.	Limited cultural/nightlife scene compared to Sacramento or SF.
Stable job market with major healthcare systems.	Commute to larger metros is possible but long (1.5+ hours to SF).
Lower housing costs than Bay Area or Sacramento.	Hot, dry summers and occasional wildfire smoke.
Diverse patient population (geriatric, military, sports).	Somewhat sprawling city – a car is an absolute necessity.
Good work-life balance and less competitive pressure.	Fewer specialty medical centers – complex cases often go to SF or Sacramento.

Final Recommendation:
Fairfield is an excellent choice for a physical therapist who values stability, affordability, and a strong sense of community over urban excitement. It's ideal if you're in the mid-career stage looking to buy a home, or if you're early in your career and want to avoid the high debt-to-income ratio of major coastal cities. The presence of Travis AFB and a growing senior population ensures job security. If you're a highly specialized PT, you'll be a prized candidate. If you're a new grad, it's a great place to get solid experience without being overwhelmed by a hyper-competitive market. Come for the job, stay for the manageable lifestyle.

FAQs

1. Is Fairfield a good place for a new grad PT?
Yes, but be strategic. New grad salaries start around $85,000 - $95,000. It's wise to target hospitals with strong residency programs (like NorthBay or Sutter) or outpatient clinics known for good mentorship. The cost of living is manageable on a new grad salary if you budget carefully, especially if you choose to live in Suisun City or with roommates.

2. How is the commute from Fairfield to San Francisco for PT jobs?
It's a serious commitment. The drive is 45-75 minutes each way, plus bridge tolls (~$8/day). Public transit (BART from nearby Pittsburg/Bay Point) is an option but adds significant time (1.5+ hours each way). Most PTs in Fairfield work locally. The salary in SF would be higher, but the higher cost of living and brutal commute often negate the financial benefit.

3. Are there opportunities for cash-based or private pay PTs here?
Yes, and it's a growing opportunity. With the affluent suburbs of Cordelia and Green Valley, and a population willing to invest in health, there's a market for specialized services not covered by insurance: concussion rehab, advanced sports performance, pelvic floor therapy, and vestibular rehab. Starting a side hustle or full cash practice is feasible with good marketing.

4. What's the best way to find a PT job in Fairfield?
Do not rely solely on job boards. Use LinkedIn to connect with clinic directors at NorthBay, Sutter, and local private practices. Attend conferences hosted by the California Physical Therapy Association (CPTA) and network. Many jobs are filled through referrals, especially in tight-knit communities. The local hospital systems post on their own websites first.

5. How does the military population at Travis AFB affect the PT market?
It's a significant driver of referrals for orthopedics, sports rehab, and neurological issues (e.g., from training accidents or deployed service). Clinics that are TRICARE providers see a steady stream of these patients. It also means a younger, active patient demographic compared to purely geriatric settings, which can be professionally stimulating.