Wage data
Physical Therapists Salary in San Diego
The median Physical Therapists salary in San Diego is $113,850 per year, with most earning between $96,820 and $133,860 (the 25th–75th percentile).
San Diego wage percentiles
| Percentile | Annual wage |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $77,500 |
| 25th percentile | $96,820 |
| Median (50th) | $113,850 |
| 75th percentile | $133,860 |
| 90th percentile | $158,700 |
How San Diego compares to the national average
The San Diego median ($113,850) runs 11% above the national median of $102,760.
| San Diego median | $113,850 |
| National median | $102,760 |
Pay by experience level
Pay within an occupation varies by experience. In the government data for Physical Therapists in San Diego:
- Entry-level Physical Therapists in San Diego (0–2 years) typically sit in the 10th–25th percentile — roughly $77,500 to $96,820.
- Early-career Physical Therapists in San Diego (3–5 years) typically sit in the 25th–50th percentile — roughly $96,820 to $113,850.
- Mid-career Physical Therapists in San Diego (6–10 years) typically sit in the 50th–75th percentile — roughly $113,850 to $133,860.
- Senior Physical Therapists in San Diego (11+ years) typically sit in the 75th–90th percentile — roughly $133,860 to $158,700.
About the role
Key skills: Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Speaking, Critical Thinking, Social Perceptiveness, Service Orientation.
In-demand tools: eClinicalWorks EHR, MEDITECH, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Word.
Typical education: Doctoral Degree (47%), Master's Degree (38%), Bachelor's Degree (8%), Associate's Degree (6%).
Related occupations: Physical Therapist Assistants, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physicians, Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapist Aides, Occupational Therapy Assistants.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median Physical Therapists salary in San Diego?
The median Physical Therapists salary in San Diego is $113,850 per year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025). Most earn between $96,820 and $133,860 — the 25th to 75th percentile.
What do the top 10% of Physical Therapists earn in San Diego?
The 90th percentile Physical Therapists wage in San Diego is $158,700 per year — the top 10% of the published distribution earn at or above that figure.
How does Physical Therapists pay in San Diego compare to the national average?
The San Diego median ($113,850) runs 11% above the national median of $102,760. All figures are from the federal wage survey (OEWS May 2025).
How do I know if a Physical Therapists salary offer in San Diego is competitive?
Compare the offer against these percentiles: an offer near the median is at market for a typical hire, while your experience level shifts the band you should be judged against. The free counter calculator places a specific number in this distribution, and the full analysis adds live market data and the exact range to counter with.
Have an offer in hand? See exactly where it stands against this data — with your experience level, live market ranges, and the specific range to counter with.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Estimates are market-informed, not guarantees. How we read this data.
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