How much does a physical therapist assistant make in San Diego?
Median yearly pay for physical therapist assistants in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area. That is $39.50 an hour or $6,847 a month.
- Hourly
- $39.50
- Vs. national median
- +20%
- Rank among cities
- 14 of 348
- Jobs in the area
- 870
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $42,050 | $20.22 | |
| 25th | $65,700 | $31.59 | |
| Median | $82,160 | $39.50 | |
| 75th | $93,370 | $44.89 | |
| 90th | $101,100 | $48.59 |
Other cities in California
Median yearly pay for physical therapist assistants.
| San Jose, CA | $97,190 |
| San Francisco, CA | $95,920 |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $87,330 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $87,300 |
| Vallejo, CA | $86,630 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $85,150 |
| Salinas, CA | $84,850 |
| Sacramento, CA | $84,290 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $84,100 |
| Modesto, CA | $83,450 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $82,140 |
| Stockton, CA | $81,310 |
| Oxnard, CA | $79,480 |
| Visalia, CA | $79,440 |
| Riverside, CA | $79,210 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $78,990 |
| Redding, CA | $77,740 |
| Fresno, CA | $77,000 |
| Chico, CA | $76,580 |
Related jobs in San Diego
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $82,680 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $67,830 |
| Phlebotomist | $58,170 |
| Dental Assistant | $58,120 |
| Healthcare Support Worker | $57,740 |
| Medical Assistant | $49,420 |
| Orderly | $49,410 |
| Nursing Assistant | $48,070 |
| Veterinary Assistant and Laboratory Animal Caretaker | $46,720 |
| Psychiatric Aide | $46,280 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a physical therapist assistant make an hour in San Diego?
The median hourly pay in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area is $39.50 ($82,160 a year).
Do physical therapist assistants make more in San Diego than the national average?
Yes: $82,160 against $68,380 nationally, 20% more.
How does San Diego compare with the rest of California?
The median in California is $83,110, so San Diego pays 1% less.
Where does San Diego rank for physical therapist assistant pay?
14 of 348 metro areas with data.
How much does a physical therapist assistant make starting out in San Diego?
The lowest-paid 10% make $42,050 or less a year; the top 10% make $101,100 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.