Physical Therapists Salary in San Diego, CA

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

Median annual salary $105,920 +4.9% vs national
Median hourly $50.92
10th percentile $63,260
90th percentile $153,290
Employed locally 2,730
National median $101,020

Compare Physical Therapists 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 Therapists
in
San Diego, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $63,260
    25th
    $87,210
    50th (median)
    $105,920
    75th
    $131,540
    90th
    $153,290

    San Diego economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $102,285 2023 • Census ACS
    Physical Therapists salary vs area income 104% Median Physical Therapists salary is 4% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Physical Therapists

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $137,250
    Vallejo, CA $136,440
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $136,200
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $134,810
    Chico, CA $131,370
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $130,160

    Nearby metros — Physical Therapists salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $137,250
    Vallejo, CA $136,440
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $136,200
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $134,810
    Chico, CA $131,370
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $130,160

    Related occupations in San Diego, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses $133,090
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses $77,280
    Physicians, All Other $323,050
    Pharmacy Technicians $49,540
    Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians $70,240
    Pharmacists $163,860

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Physical Therapists make per hour in San Diego?

    The median hourly wage for Physical Therapists in San Diego, CA is $50.92, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $76.30 or more per hour.

    Is San Diego above or below average for Physical Therapists salaries?

    The median Physical Therapists salary in San Diego, CA is 4.9% above the national median of $101,020. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

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

    Entry-level Physical Therapists (10th percentile) earn around $63,260 per year in San Diego, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $87,210.