Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in San Diego, CA: $84,403 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in San Diego, CA earns a median $84,403/year (≈ $40.58/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in San Diego's price level (12% above national, BEA RPP 111.9), that paycheck buys what $75,436 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the physical therapist assistant salary in San Diego is projected to reach an impressive $84,403, significantly higher than the national median of $70,247 by approximately 20.15%. The salary range for professionals in this field spans from $43,198 at the 10th percentile to $103,819 at the 90th percentile. These figures, drawn from 2025 BLS OEWS data, reflect the robust demand for physical therapy services in the area, influencing visit expectations and compensation models for assistants. San Diego's healthcare industry continues to expand, suggesting strong opportunities for those entering this rewarding profession.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,198 | $20.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $67,494 | $32.45 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $84,403 | $40.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $95,919 | $46.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $103,819 | $49.92 |
Median Salary Position
20.15% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Diego
In San Diego, CA, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $60,621 (2026 est.). At $84,403, the local median is 20.15% above the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in San Diego: You'd be above the median
How San Diego Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
San Diego median: $84,403/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Diego Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $70,247 | +20.15% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in San Diego, CA earn a median of $84,403 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.15% higher than the national median of $70,247.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Diego has a cost of living 11.89% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Diego, CA has a cost-of-living index of 111.887 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $84,403 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $75,436 — a 10.62% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$59,930
2025 BLS Actual
$82,160
2026 Current Est.
$84,403
2019–2027 Growth
+44.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in San Diego (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,930 | Actual |
| 2020 | $72,110 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,920 | Actual |
| 2022 | $82,110 | Actual |
| 2023 | $83,700 | Actual |
| 2024 | $81,690 | Actual |
| 2025 | $82,160 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84,403 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86,707 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Diego metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 37.1% from $59,930 (2019) to $82,160 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $86,707 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,777 (44.68%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Diego metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.73% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $43,198 – $67,494 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $67,494 – $84,403 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $84,403 – $95,919 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $95,919 – $103,819 |
PTA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Assistant Job Market in San Diego
With 870 physical therapist assistants employed in the San Diego area, competition in the job market remains consistent. However, the cost of living is relatively high, with a cost-of-living index of 111.887, which affects take-home pay and purchasing power. Among local employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics generally offer the highest compensation, followed closely by skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehab environments, all of which often face pressures from the 15% Medicare cut to PTA services that took effect in 2022. This dynamic has led to varied pay levels influenced by settings, significance of productivity, and additional factors like weekend or PRN premiums. To optimize earning potential in the San Diego CA market, aspiring physical therapist assistants should consider specializing in high-demand areas and pursue additional certifications that can elevate their marketability.
More salary data for San Diego, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in San Diego, CA in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in San Diego?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in San Diego?
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Written by Jordan Lee, DPT
Career Analyst
Jordan has 10 years of experience in outpatient physical therapy. They specialize in orthopedic rehabilitation. Jordan works in a private practice setting.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $82,160 for physical therapist assistantsin the San Diego metropolitan area. A 2.73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.73%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physical therapist assistants (SOC 31-2021).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, DPT, a licensed physical therapist assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov