Average Salaries in San Diego, CA

Explore salary data for all occupations in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad metropolitan area.

Average Salary

$91,361

across all occupations

Highest Paying Job

$266,294

Physician

Occupations Covered

80

jobs with salary data

Cost of Living: San Diego, CA has a cost of living that is 42.8% above the national average. Consider this when comparing salaries.

Salaries in San Diego, CA by Occupation

OccupationAnnual SalaryHourly RateEmployed
Physician$266,294$128.03221
Airline Pilot$193,799$93.17100
Dentist$187,296$90.05123
Financial Manager$186,830$89.82585
Computer Hardware Engineer$156,819$75.3984
Lawyer$155,531$74.77383
Sales Manager$149,997$72.11414
Pharmacist$147,156$70.75309
Software Developer$143,211$68.852,048
Nurse Practitioner$142,468$68.49241
Physician Assistant$140,332$67.47139
Information Security Analyst$129,441$62.23154
Veterinarian$128,324$61.6974
Electrical Engineer$126,444$60.79291
Data Scientist$117,875$56.67130
Construction Manager$117,828$56.65268
Computer Systems Analyst$113,585$54.61564
Physical Therapist$112,462$54.07218
Business Professor$111,835$53.7775
General Manager$111,466$53.592,129
Database Administrator$111,159$53.44120
Industrial Engineer$108,979$52.39218
Occupational Therapist$108,658$52.24161
Computer Programmer$108,588$52.21198
Personal Financial Advisor$108,428$52.13242
Mechanical Engineer$108,307$52.07300
Financial Analyst$107,776$51.82293
Management Analyst$107,500$51.68790
Network Administrator$106,272$51.09202
Civil Engineer$104,101$50.05295
Registered Nurse$103,978$49.993,001
Web Developer$101,828$48.96200
Dental Hygienist$101,131$48.62173
Speech-Language Pathologist$99,253$47.72137
Accountant$88,774$42.681,327
Police Officer$83,781$40.28616
Market Research Analyst$82,234$39.54478
Instructional Coordinator$79,920$38.42120
Radiologic Technologist$79,539$38.24221
Loan Officer$77,693$37.35280
Executive Assistant$77,435$37.23421
Railroad Conductor$77,322$37.1746
Computer Network Support Specialist$75,300$36.20179
Sales Representative$73,745$35.451,633
Human Resources Specialist$72,334$34.78654
Special Education Teacher$72,268$34.74432
Office Supervisor$72,173$34.70385
Electrician$71,453$34.35742
Secondary School Teacher$70,599$33.941,147
Plumber$70,551$33.92464
Elementary School Teacher$69,863$33.591,375
Physical Therapist Assistant$69,437$33.38116
Sheet Metal Worker$69,133$33.24128
Paralegal$66,943$32.18284
Medical Lab Technician$66,420$31.93321
Licensed Practical Nurse$65,708$31.59545
Insurance Agent$65,457$31.47524
HVAC Technician$64,168$30.85408
Computer User Support Specialist$64,021$30.78442
Firefighter$63,970$30.75252
Real Estate Agent$63,573$30.56369
Carpenter$63,186$30.38418
Truck Driver$59,230$28.481,600
Paramedic$58,703$28.22286
Bookkeeper$54,945$26.421,399
Automotive Mechanic$53,240$25.60770
Painter$52,966$25.46269
Construction Laborer$50,944$24.491,303
Dental Assistant$50,250$24.16317
Court Clerk$49,531$23.81134
Veterinary Technician$47,468$22.82101
Medical Assistant$46,798$22.50782
Pharmacy Technician$45,603$21.92380
Delivery Driver$45,368$21.811,044
Office Clerk$45,002$21.641,410
Customer Service Representative$43,769$21.042,538
Nursing Assistant$43,139$20.741,307
Preschool Teacher$41,630$20.01675
Security Guard$40,183$19.321,262
Childcare Worker$38,150$18.34845

About Working in San Diego, CA

This metropolitan area offers diverse career opportunities across multiple industries. The local economy supports a variety of occupations, and salary levels reflect the area's cost of living, industry mix, and labor market conditions.

Based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data, the average salary across all occupations in San Diego, CA is $91,361 per year. Salaries range from $38,150 for Childcare Workers to $266,294 for Physicians. The metropolitan area employs approximately 45,629 workers across the 80 occupations we track.

San Diego, CA Economy Overview

The local economy is supported by a mix of industries including healthcare, retail, professional services, and manufacturing. Economic conditions and employment opportunities vary based on national and regional trends.

Major Industries in San Diego, CA

The San Diego, CA job market is driven by these key industries:

1Healthcare and Medical Services
2Retail and Consumer Services
3Professional and Business Services
4Education
5Government
6Manufacturing

Cost of Living Considerations

Cost of living in this area reflects local housing costs, transportation needs, and regional economic conditions. It's important to consider cost of living when comparing salaries across different locations.

Cost of Living Index: 142.8(42.8% above national average)

Job Market Insights

The job market conditions vary based on local industries and economic trends. Job seekers should research specific industries and employers in the area. Networking and local connections can be valuable in the job search process.

Quality of Life in San Diego, CA

Quality of life factors include local amenities, climate, recreational opportunities, and community characteristics. Consider your personal priorities when evaluating career opportunities in different locations.

Frequently Asked Questions About Salaries in San Diego, CA

What is the average salary in San Diego, CA?

The average salary across all occupations in San Diego, CA is approximately $91,361 per year. However, salaries vary significantly by occupation, experience level, and industry.

What are the highest paying jobs in San Diego, CA?

The highest paying occupation in San Diego, CA based on our data is Physician with an average salary of $266,294 per year. Other high-paying occupations can be found in the salary table above.

How does the cost of living affect salaries in San Diego, CA?

With a cost of living 42.8% above the national average, salaries in San Diego, CA tend to be higher to compensate. However, it's important to consider your overall financial picture, including housing, transportation, and other expenses.

Is San Diego, CA a good place to find a job?

San Diego, CA offers diverse employment opportunities across multiple industries. With 45,629 workers employed across the occupations we track, the metropolitan area has a substantial job market. Your prospects will depend on your industry, skills, and experience level.

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