Healthcare San Diego, CA Pop. 1,386,932

Physical Therapist Salary in San Diego, California

The median physical therapist salary in San Diego, CA is $146,580 per year, which is 50.0% above the national median and 2.7% above the California state average.

City Median
$146,580
vs State Avg
+$3,909
vs National
+$48,860
Cost of Living
142%

Physical Therapist Salary in San Diego by Experience

In San Diego, an entry-level physical therapist earns around $102,000, while experienced professionals earn up to $192,000 per year. The local cost of living index is 142% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$102,000
+$34,000 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$147,000
+$49,000 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$192,000
+$64,000 vs national

Salary Percentiles in San Diego, CA

Percentile San Diego
10th Percentile $100,200
25th Percentile $120,300
Median (50th) $146,580
75th Percentile $174,600
90th Percentile $195,300

Physical Therapist Salary in Other California Cities

San Francisco, CA
$185,668
Pop. 873,965
San Jose, CA
$171,987
Pop. 1,013,240
Los Angeles, CA
$150,489
Pop. 3,898,747
Sacramento, CA
$123,127
Pop. 524,943

How to Become a Physical Therapist in San Diego

Education

Most physical therapist positions require a doctoral degree. San Diego and the surrounding California area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Manual TherapyExercise PrescriptionPatient AssessmentRehabilitationAnatomyDocumentation

Job Outlook

Nationally, physical therapist employment is projected to grow 15% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in San Diego may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Physical Therapist Jobs in San Diego

Browse open physical therapist positions in San Diego, CA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Physical Therapist Salary in San Diego

How much does a Physical Therapist make in San Diego, CA? ▼
The median physical therapist salary in San Diego, California is $146,580 per year, which is 50.0% above the national median of $97,720. Salaries range from $100,200 (10th percentile) to $195,300 (90th percentile).
How much does a Physical Therapist make per hour in San Diego? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $146,580, a physical therapist in San Diego earns approximately $70 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does San Diego compare to the California state average for physical therapist pay? ▼
San Diego's median physical therapist salary of $146,580 is 2.7% above the California state average of $142,671. The local cost of living index is 142% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in San Diego, CA? ▼
San Diego has a cost of living index of 142% compared to the national average. This means a physical therapist salary of $146,580 in San Diego has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a physical therapist in San Diego? ▼
Most physical therapist positions in San Diego require a doctoral degree. Key skills include Manual Therapy, Exercise Prescription, Patient Assessment, Rehabilitation. The job market is projected to grow 15% nationally over the next decade.