Physical Therapist Jobs in San Diego

What Does a Physical Therapist Do?

Physical therapists help patients recover mobility and manage pain through exercise, manual therapy, and rehabilitation. They assess patient needs, develop treatment plans, and guide patients through recovery from injury or surgery.

Physical Therapist Salary in San Diego

The median salary for a Physical Therapist in San Diego is $107,094 per year. The range is $81K - $126K (P10: $71,859, P90: $142,128). (BLS OEWS 2025) Typical US salary range: $80K - $130K. In Europe: €45K - €75K. Cost of living in San Diego is very high compared to other cities.

Most In-Demand Skills

The San Diego Job Market

Biotech and defense stronghold with 210K+ life sciences and aerospace jobs. San Diego's biotech cluster rivals the Bay Area with fortress-like stability in life sciences and defense sectors.

Top industries: Biotechnology, Aerospace & Defense, Software, Healthcare.

Mix of public transit and sprawl; remote biotech and aerospace roles are expanding rapidly.

Career Path & 2026 Trends

Physical therapists advance to senior therapist, clinic manager, or director roles; many specialize in sports medicine, orthopedics, or neurological conditions. Physical therapy in 2026 is growing with aging populations and increased focus on preventive care, with digital therapeutics and telehealth expanding access.

Interview Tip

Walk through a patient case from assessment to recovery—explain your treatment rationale, how you adapted based on progress, and your communication strategy.

How to Find a Physical Therapist Job in San Diego?

jobko.ai aggregates listings from 40+ sources (Indeed, LinkedIn, Glassdoor, and more) and uses AI to analyze each posting against your profile. With 1 current Physical Therapist listings in San Diego, you get honest match scores, red flag detection, and personalized CV advice — all for free.