Physical Therapist Aides Salary in San Diego, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA

Median annual salary $34,810 +0.8% vs national
Median hourly $16.74
10th percentile $33,450
90th percentile $45,740
Employed locally 710
National median $34,520

Compare Physical Therapist Aides salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how San Diego, CA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Physical Therapist Aides
in
San Diego, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $33,450
    25th
    $34,640
    50th (median)
    $34,810
    75th
    $37,390
    90th
    $45,740

    San Diego economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $102,285 2023 • Census ACS
    Physical Therapist Aides salary vs area income 34% Median Physical Therapist Aides salary is 66% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Physical Therapist Aides

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Southwest Maine nonmetropolitan area $57,670
    Barnstable Town, MA $47,290
    Abilene, TX $46,790
    North Coast Region of California nonmetropolitan area $44,600
    Urban Honolulu, HI $44,430
    Minnesota $44,340

    Nearby metros — Physical Therapist Aides salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    North Coast Region of California nonmetropolitan area $44,600
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $44,070
    Chico, CA $42,800
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $41,430
    Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL $38,650
    Fresno, CA $37,660

    Related occupations in San Diego, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Home Health and Personal Care Aides $35,050
    Nursing Assistants $46,600
    Medical Assistants $47,780
    Dental Assistants $46,420
    Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers $44,830
    Massage Therapists $41,600

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Physical Therapist Aides make per hour in San Diego?

    The median hourly wage for Physical Therapist Aides in San Diego, CA is $16.74, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $35.93 or more per hour.

    Is San Diego above or below average for Physical Therapist Aides salaries?

    The median Physical Therapist Aides salary in San Diego, CA is 0.8% above the national median of $34,520. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Physical Therapist Aides in San Diego?

    Entry-level Physical Therapist Aides (10th percentile) earn around $33,450 per year in San Diego, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $34,640.