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2026 Salary Data — San Diego, CA
Updated April 28, 2026

Physician Salary in San Diego: $271K Median

Physicians in San Diego, CA earn between $207K and $472K per year.

That's +18% above the US national median of $229,300 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Physician salary in San Diego, CA is $270,574 per year — +18% above the US national median of $229,300. Salaries range from $206,500 (entry, 25th percentile) to $472,000 (90th percentile). Physicians in San Diego earned approximately $40,996 in 2025, representing 560.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$270,574
+560.0% YoY · $22,548/mo
Entry
$236,000
0–2 years
Experienced
$413,000
5+ years
Top 10%
$472,000
Senior/lead
Physician Salary — San Diego vs Nearby
San Diego
$271K
Los Angeles
$294K
-8% vs San Diego
San Francisco
$355K
-24% vs San Diego
Fresno
$218K
+24% vs San Diego

Free ATS scan · San Diego employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Physicians in San Diego

Physicians diagnose and treat illnesses, prescribe medications, and provide preventive care. Specialties range widely in compensation.

Core Responsibilities

  • Patient diagnosis and treatment
  • Order tests and prescriptions
  • Document patient records
  • Coordinate care
  • Lead medical teams

Education & Certifications

Typical path: MD/DO + residency (3-7 years)

In-demand certifications

MD or DOBoard certificationState medical licenseDEA registration

San Diego Job Market

Major biotech and defense hub with growing tech sector.

Population
1426K
Cost of Living
161
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
4.4%
Median Home
$850K

Top Industries in San Diego

DefenseBiotechTechTourismHealthcare

Top Employers Hiring Physicians

Major employers active in San Diego or hiring remotely from this metro.

Mayo Clinic
Cleveland Clinic
Kaiser Permanente
Johns Hopkins
HCA Healthcare
Veterans Health

All major employers use ATS software.

Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, and iCIMS auto-screen 75% of resumes before a human ever sees them. Scan your resume free to see your match rate.

2026 Hot Skills & Resume Keywords

Skills that command salary premiums and pass ATS keyword filters.

Hottest 2026 Skills

These appear in the highest-paying Physician listings.

TelemedicineAI-assisted diagnosisConcierge medicineSpecialty practiceEHR efficiency

ATS Resume Keywords

Include these naturally throughout your resume.

MDboard certifiedpatient careEHR (Epic)clinical researchspecialtyresidency
Career Outlook
+4% Growth Projected (2024-2034)

Physician demand strong with growing US population. Specialties like radiology, anesthesiology, and orthopedics paying $400K+.

Physician Salary Breakdown — San Diego

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$206,500$270,574$472,000
Monthly$17,208$22,548$39,333
Weekly$3,971$5,203$9,077
Hourly$99$130$227

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($229,300) adjusted for San Diego's cost-of-living multiplier (1.18×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Physician Take-Home Pay in San Diego

After federal, state and FICA taxes — single filer, standard deduction.

Net Annual Take-Home
$181,712.757
Per month$15,143
Biweekly paycheck$6,989
Effective tax rate32.8%

Tax Breakdown on $270,574

Gross salary$270,574
Federal income tax−$59,138.15
California state tax−$14,881.57
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$14,841.523
Take-home (net)$181,712.757

Estimates assume single filer, standard deduction ($14,600 for 2026), no 401(k)/HSA/dependents. Actual take-home varies with deductions, dependents, and benefits elections. Not tax advice.

Physician Salary by Experience — San Diego

Career-stage progression for Physicians in San Diego.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$217,120
2–3 yr$236,000
4–6 yr$324,500
7–10 yr$413,000
11–15 yr$487,340
15+ yr$442,500

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for San Diego's 1.18× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+560.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$40,996
2026 median:$270,574
Change:+$229,578

Healthcare sector growth driven by demand for Telemedicine and AI-assisted diagnosis.

Is This A Good Salary?

Excellent

Adjusted for local cost of living, this salary delivers top-tier real purchasing power - well above what the same nominal pay would buy in most US metros. Strong savings, home-buying, and discretionary spending are all realistic.

COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$168,058
Difficult on the median - the nominal salary masks how little real purchasing power remains after rent, taxes, and basic costs.

How to Negotiate Your Physician Salary in San Diego

Walk-away anchor: $245,976 (offers below this are below market for San Diego).

Leverage Points

  • Specialty certifications (CCRN, OCS, BCPS, FNP) command 8-15% premiums
  • Compact license / multi-state authority and willingness to float between units
  • Night, weekend, and holiday shift differentials add up to $10K-$25K annually
  • Critical-shortage specialties (ICU, ER, NICU, oncology) have the most leverage

Beyond Base Salary, Negotiate

Sign-on bonus ($10K-$30K, often $50K+ for hard-to-fill roles)Tuition reimbursement and certification stipendsLoan repayment programs (especially federal/HRSA-eligible)Shift differentials (nights +15%, weekends +10%)Relocation package and housing stipend

What To Say

"Given the current shortage in this specialty and my certifications, I'm looking for $X base plus shift differential and a sign-on bonus. What flexibility do you have on those line items?"

Anchor on $413K–$472K for experienced roles, citing San Diego market data and your specific Telemedicine/AI-assisted diagnosis expertise.

Physician Salary FAQ — San Diego

What is the average Physician salary in San Diego, CA?
The average Physician salary in San Diego is $270,574 per year as of April 2026 — $22,548/month, $5,203/week, or about $130/hour. Salaries range from $206,500 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $472,000 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for San Diego's cost-of-living multiplier (1.18×).
Is $270,574 a good Physician salary in San Diego?
Excellent. Adjusted for local cost of living, this salary delivers top-tier real purchasing power - well above what the same nominal pay would buy in most US metros. Strong savings, home-buying, and discretionary spending are all realistic. San Diego's cost-of-living index is 161 (vs 100 nationally), giving $270,574 a real purchasing power of approximately $168,058 in national terms. Difficult on the median - the nominal salary masks how little real purchasing power remains after rent, taxes, and basic costs.
Can you live on $270,574 in San Diego?
Median pay is below HUD's low-income threshold for a family of four in some of these metros (notably San Francisco, where $104K qualifies as 'low income'). Raising a family on the median typically requires two earners, a long commute, or family help with housing. Spending 30% on rent is impossible at the median in this market - most workers spend 40-50% or take roommates well into their 30s. HUD classifies anything over 30% as 'cost-burdened' here. For San Diego specifically (median home price $850,000), a $270,574 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $270,574 enough for a single person in San Diego?
A single adult in San Diego typically needs ~$72,450 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $270,574 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $270,574 enough for a couple in San Diego?
A couple (one earner) in San Diego typically needs ~$115,920 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $270,574 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $270,574 each ($541,148 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $270,574 enough for a family of 4 in San Diego?
A family of 4 (one earner) in San Diego typically needs ~$177,100 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $270,574 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — a family of 4 can afford this metro on a single Physician income with prudent budgeting. Childcare costs in San Diego typically run $24K-$45K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Physician in San Diego?
On a $270,574 Physician salary in San Diego, CA, you take home approximately $181,712.757 per year ($15,143/month, $6,989 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $59,138.15, state $14,881.57, FICA $14,841.523. Effective tax rate: 32.8%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Physicians in San Diego earn compared to the US average?
Physicians in San Diego earn approximately 18% more than the US national median for this role ($229,300 nationally vs $270,574 in San Diego). However, San Diego's cost-of-living index of 161 means real purchasing power is approximately $168,058 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Physician earn in San Diego?
Entry-level Physicians in San Diego typically start at around $236,000 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Physicians earn $413,000 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $472,000+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Physician salaries in San Diego increase in 2026?
Yes — Physician salaries in San Diego grew approximately 560.0% year-over-year, from $40,996 in 2025 to $270,574 in 2026 (+$229,578). This reflects the broader Healthcare sector's compensation trend, driven by Telemedicine and AI-assisted diagnosis demand.
What's the job outlook for Physicians in San Diego?
Physician demand strong with growing US population. Specialties like radiology, anesthesiology, and orthopedics paying $400K+. San Diego's top industries include Defense, Biotech, Tech, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 4.4% — steady demand for skilled workers.
What skills are most in demand for Physicians in 2026?
The hottest 2026 skills for Physicians are: Telemedicine, AI-assisted diagnosis, Concierge medicine, Specialty practice, EHR efficiency. ATS systems specifically scan for these keywords. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — significantly improves your match rate with employers in San Diego.
Who are the top employers hiring Physicians in San Diego?
Top employers hiring Physicians in or near San Diego include: Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, Kaiser Permanente, Johns Hopkins, HCA Healthcare, Veterans Health. Most use ATS software (Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, iCIMS) to screen resumes — meaning your resume must be ATS-optimized to even get a human reader.
How do I negotiate a higher Physician salary in San Diego?
Given the current shortage in this specialty and my certifications, I'm looking for $X base plus shift differential and a sign-on bonus. What flexibility do you have on those line items? Key leverage points for Healthcare negotiations: Specialty certifications (CCRN, OCS, BCPS, FNP) command 8-15% premiums; Compact license / multi-state authority and willingness to float between units; Night, weekend, and holiday shift differentials add up to $10K-$25K annually. Beyond base salary, negotiate for: Sign-on bonus ($10K-$30K, often $50K+ for hard-to-fill roles), Tuition reimbursement and certification stipends, Loan repayment programs (especially federal/HRSA-eligible), Shift differentials (nights +15%, weekends +10%).
How can I increase my Physician salary in San Diego?
Three highest-leverage moves: (1) Add 2026's hot skills (Telemedicine, AI-assisted diagnosis, Concierge medicine) — they command 15-30% premiums. (2) Get a recognized certification (e.g., MD or DO or Board certification). (3) Tailor your resume to each role's keywords — CVCraft's ATS scanner shows you exactly what's missing.
What education do I need to become a Physician in San Diego?
MD/DO + residency (3-7 years) is the typical path. However, San Diego's competitive market increasingly values demonstrable skills, portfolios, and certifications alongside (or in place of) traditional degrees — particularly for Healthcare roles.

Methodology & Sources

Physician salary figures for San Diego are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($229,300) by San Diego's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.18× — a composite of regional wage data and price parities. Year-over-year change (560.0%) reflects the Healthcare sector's 2025-2026 wage growth per BLS Employment Cost Index trends. Last reviewed April 28, 2026.

Data Sources

Related Roles in San Diego

Nurse Practitioner →Pharmacist →Registered Nurse →Physical Therapist →Occupational Therapist →Dentist →

Physician Salary in Other Cities

Los Angeles, CA$294KAustin, TX$264KSan Francisco, CA$355KFresno, CA$218KSacramento, CA$248KLong Beach, CA$275KOakland, CA$321K

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