Physicians, Pathologists pay range in San Diego
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $119,370 a year or less, while the top 10% make $388,510 or more. The middle half of physicians, pathologists in San Diego earn between $305,220 and $388,510.
- $119K10th
- $305K25th
- $333KMedian
- $389K75th
- $389K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $308,000 | $25,667 | $148.08 |
| Median | $333,330 | $27,778 | $160.25 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $305,220 | $25,435 | $146.74 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $388,510 | $32,376 | $186.78 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Physicians, Pathologists pay in San Diego vs. California and the U.S.
Physicians, pathologists in San Diego earn 39% more than the California average ($221,080) and 8% more than the U.S. average ($285,420). At the median the gap is +7% against the U.S. median of $312,400.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego | $308,000 | $333,330 | $119,370 | $388,510 | 90 |
| California | $221,080 | $186,300 | $105,750 | $387,760 | 1,790 |
| United States | $285,420 | $312,400 | $92,540 | $449,970 | 11,110 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Physicians, Pathologists salary after taxes in San Diego
On the average salary of $308,000, a single filer in San Diego takes home about $195,637 a year, or $16,303 a month and $7,524 every two weeks. Taxes take 36% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
Is San Diego a good place for physicians, pathologists? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the San Diego area are 12% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 111.9), so the average $308,000 buys what about $275,278 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 5.7 times the median wage of all jobs in San Diego ($58,690). A typical home costs $946,365, or 3.1 years of this average salary before tax.
Physicians, Pathologists salary in other California cities
San Diego ranks 1st of 5 California metro areas for this job, the best-paid in the state.
- San Diego$308,000
- Los Angeles$298,740
- San Jose$266,450
- San Francisco$194,600
- Riverside$158,770
Highest-paying cities for physicians, pathologists
Tampa, FL pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($345,500).
- Tampa, FL$345,500
- Baltimore, MD$343,850
- Miami, FL$340,620
- Chicago, IL$339,170
- Phoenix, AZ$323,670
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Physicians, Pathologists salary in San Diego: questions
How much do physicians, pathologists make an hour in San Diego?
$148.08 an hour on average, and $160.25 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level physicians, pathologists salary in San Diego?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $119,370 a year and the 25th percentile is $305,220, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the physicians, pathologists take-home pay in San Diego?
About $195,637 a year ($16,303 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $308,000. California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
Do physicians, pathologists earn more in San Diego than elsewhere?
The average here is 8% more than the U.S. average for this job ($285,420).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 29-1222; area San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA (41740). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 7.0%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.79, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.79).
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