Overview Salaries

Salaries in San Diego, CA

Updated on Jun 10, 2026
City
Salary

What is the average salary in San Diego, CA?

The average salary in San Diego, CA is $85,369 per year.
Yearly
Monthly
Weekly
Hourly
Graph depicting the yearly salary distribution for San Diego, CA, showing an average salary of $85,369 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.
Graph depicting the monthly salary distribution for San Diego, CA, showing an average salary of $7,114 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.
Graph depicting the weekly salary distribution for San Diego, CA, showing an average salary of $1,642 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.
Graph depicting the hourly salary distribution for San Diego, CA, showing an average salary of $41 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.

San Diego, CA offers a vibrant job market with a variety of salary opportunities. The average yearly salary in San Diego stands at $85,369. This average helps potential job seekers understand what they might expect to earn in this dynamic city. Salaries vary greatly across different industries and positions.


To provide a clearer picture, here are some notable salary ranges in San Diego:

  • Information Technology: $126,591
  • Healthcare: $108,273
  • Finance: $99,855
  • Education: $89,955
  • Sales: $71,636
These figures showcase the diversity in income levels across various sectors. Job seekers can use this data to find roles that match their skills and career goals.

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

San Diego, CA, offers a variety of high-paying job opportunities across different fields. Leading these top-paying positions are medical jobs, including psychiatrists and certified registered nurse anesthetists. These professionals enjoy high salaries due to their specialized skills and the critical nature of their work. Aside from healthcare, legal and engineering roles also stand out. General counsels and wireless engineers find lucrative positions in the city. These jobs require significant expertise and offer attractive compensation packages. Job seekers in San Diego can explore these fields for rewarding career opportunities with excellent pay.
Graph displaying best paying job salaries in San Diego, CA, highlighting Psychiatrist with the highest at $340,488 and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse with the lowest at $192,514.

  1. Psychiatrist
    Average Salary: $340,488
    Work with patients dealing with mental health issues. Collaborate with healthcare teams. Work with major health systems and mental health facilities.
    Find Psychiatrist jobs in San Diego, CA


  2. Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
    Average Salary: $332,352
    Provide anesthesia care to patients. Work in surgery centers and hospitals. Collaborate with surgeons and anesthesiologists.
    Find Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist jobs in San Diego, CA


  3. Physician
    Average Salary: $279,520
    Diagnose and treat illnesses. Manage patient care and treatments. Work with a variety of healthcare facilities.
    Find Physician jobs in San Diego, CA


  4. Primary Care Physician
    Average Salary: $257,268
    Provide general medical care. Manage chronic conditions. Work in private practices and clinics.
    Find Primary Care Physician jobs in San Diego, CA


  5. General Dentist
    Average Salary: $249,186
    Perform dental procedures. Maintain oral health. Work in dental offices and clinics.
    Find General Dentist jobs in San Diego, CA


  6. Internal Medicine Physician
    Average Salary: $244,750
    Diagnose and treat adult diseases. Manage complex medical conditions. Work in hospitals and private practices.
    Find Internal Medicine Physician jobs in San Diego, CA


  7. Pediatrician
    Average Salary: $208,498
    Care for children's health. Provide preventive care and treatments. Work in pediatric clinics and hospitals.
    Find Pediatrician jobs in San Diego, CA


  8. General Counsel
    Average Salary: $203,299
    Provide legal advice to the company. Manage legal risks. Work in corporate settings and law firms.
    Find General Counsel jobs in San Diego, CA


  9. Wireless Engineer
    Average Salary: $199,100
    Design and implement wireless communication systems. Work with tech companies. Focus on network performance and security.
    Find Wireless Engineer jobs in San Diego, CA


  10. Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse
    Average Salary: $192,514
    Provide mental health care. Assist psychiatrists and other healthcare providers. Work in mental health clinics and hospitals.
    Find Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse jobs in San Diego, CA

What are the best paying jobs in San Diego, CA without a degree?

In San Diego, several high-paying jobs do not require a college degree. Roles such as Sales Inspectors, Concrete Finishers, and Restaurant Managers offer competitive salaries. These positions provide excellent earning potential with the chance to gain valuable experience in various industries. Sales Inspectors and Concrete Finishers enjoy some of the highest wages, with potential earnings over $84,000 per year. Restaurant Managers also benefit from a lucrative salary, averaging around $60,000 annually. These jobs provide a path to financial stability and career growth without the need for a degree.
Graph displaying best paying job salaries in San Diego, CA without a degree, highlighting Sales Inspector with the highest at $84,630 and Laundry Aide with the lowest at $45,922.

  1. Sales Inspector
    Average Salary: $84,630
    This role involves inspecting sales activities to ensure compliance with regulations. Companies look for candidates who can analyze sales data and report on findings. This job offers a chance to work in various industries with notable firms.
    Find Sales Inspector jobs in San Diego, CA


  2. Concrete Finisher
    Average Salary: $67,711
    Individuals in this role prepare and finish concrete surfaces. They work closely with construction teams to ensure quality. Positions are available with major construction and infrastructure companies.
    Find Concrete Finisher jobs in San Diego, CA


  3. Restaurant Manager
    Average Salary: $59,653
    This position involves overseeing daily operations in restaurants. Managers ensure customer satisfaction and staff efficiency. Opportunities exist with popular dining establishments in the area.
    Find Restaurant Manager jobs in San Diego, CA


  4. Grain Elevator Operator
    Average Salary: $54,415
    Operators control grain elevators to move and store grain. They monitor systems and ensure safety. This job connects individuals with large agricultural companies in the region.
    Find Grain Elevator Operator jobs in San Diego, CA


  5. Irrigation Technician
    Average Salary: $53,819
    Technicians install and maintain irrigation systems for agricultural and landscape use. They troubleshoot and repair issues. Employment can be found with companies specializing in water management.
    Find Irrigation Technician jobs in San Diego, CA


  6. Kitchen Manager
    Average Salary: $53,749
    Kitchen managers supervise kitchen staff and operations. They ensure food quality and safety. Many kitchen managers work in high-end restaurants and hotels.
    Find Kitchen Manager jobs in San Diego, CA


  7. Canvasser
    Average Salary: $53,673
    Canvassers gather information by interviewing people in their homes or businesses. They work for various organizations, including those involved in political campaigns and market research.
    Find Canvasser jobs in San Diego, CA


  8. Concrete Laborer
    Average Salary: $51,909
    Laborers assist in mixing, pouring, and finishing concrete. They work on construction sites with skilled tradespeople. This role is essential for building infrastructure projects.
    Find Concrete Laborer jobs in San Diego, CA


  9. Restaurant Crew
    Average Salary: $46,965
    Crew members handle various tasks in restaurants, including taking orders and serving food. They work in fast-paced environments with a focus on customer service. Positions are available with a variety of dining establishments.
    Find Restaurant Crew jobs in San Diego, CA


  10. Laundry Aide
    Average Salary: $45,922
    Aides assist in laundry operations, handling washing, drying, and folding. They work in hotels and residential settings, ensuring cleanliness. This role is vital for maintaining hygiene standards.
    Find Laundry Aide jobs in San Diego, CA

Which companies offer the top salaries in San Diego, CA?

San Diego boasts a range of high-paying companies across various industries. At the top, Arm offers the highest average salary at $241,568. LifeStance Health follows closely with an average salary of $199,612. These companies provide competitive pay packages, making them attractive options for job seekers. In addition to Arm and LifeStance Health, several other top employers in San Diego offer strong salaries. Apple pays an average of $199,474, PlayStation offers $198,154, and Intuit pays $194,363. Google, PwC, and Bristol Myers Squibb also stand out with average salaries above $180,000. These companies make San Diego an excellent place to find lucrative job opportunities.
Graph displaying company salaries in San Diego, CA, highlighting Arm with the highest at $241,568 and Shield AI with the lowest at $180,614.

  1. Arm
    Average Salary: $241,568
    Arm develops technology for the digital age, creating a foundation for the next billion smart devices.


  2. LifeStance Health
    Average Salary: $199,612
    LifeStance Health focuses on providing mental health care services to patients in communities.


  3. Apple
    Average Salary: $199,474
    Apple designs, manufactures, and markets consumer electronics, computers, and mobile devices.


  4. PlayStation
    Average Salary: $198,154
    PlayStation develops, manufactures, and markets video game consoles and accessories.


  5. Intuit
    Average Salary: $194,363
    Intuit offers financial software for individuals and small businesses, notably TurboTax and QuickBooks.


  6. Google
    Average Salary: $193,291
    Google provides internet-related services and products, including search engines, cloud computing, and software.


  7. PwC
    Average Salary: $183,173
    PwC is a professional services firm specializing in audit, assurance, consulting, and tax services.


  8. Bristol Myers Squibb
    Average Salary: $182,894
    Bristol Myers Squibb develops and markets medications for various medical conditions, including cancer and cardiovascular diseases.


  9. Amazon Web Services
    Average Salary: $181,807
    Amazon Web Services offers scalable cloud computing services and tools for businesses.


  10. Shield AI
    Average Salary: $180,614
    Shield AI provides AI-driven software and hardware for autonomous systems, notably in the defense sector.

How does the cost of living in San Diego, CA compare to the national average?

San Diego, CA, has a higher cost of living compared to the nationwide average. According to the graph, the cost of living index in San Diego is 156, which is 56% higher than the national average of 100. This increase is largely driven by higher housing costs, which stand at 89% above the national average. Other expenses also show a rise, with utilities and transportation costs at 11% and 23% above the average, respectively. Even groceries and healthcare costs are slightly higher, at 5% and 3% more, respectively. The overall picture indicates that living in San Diego requires more financial resources to maintain the same standard of living as in the rest of the country.
Cost of living comparison graph for San Diego, CA vs. Nationwide: housing 89% higher, groceries 5% higher, utilities 11% higher, transportation 23% higher, healthcare 3% higher, miscellaneous 15% higher.

San Diego, CA, has a higher cost of living compared to the nationwide average, with the overall index set at 100. Housing in San Diego stands at 189, which is significantly higher than the national average. This means housing costs in San Diego are about 89% higher than the typical American city. People moving to San Diego should be prepared for this increase in their housing expenses.


In addition to housing, other costs are also above the national average. Groceries, utilities, transportation, and miscellaneous costs are 5%, 11%, 23%, and 15% higher, respectively. Healthcare costs are slightly lower, at 3% below the national average. These figures suggest that while San Diego offers many benefits, the cost of living is notably higher for residents. Job seekers need to consider these numbers when planning their move to San Diego.

There are 8,493 job openings in San Diego, CA, today!

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Discover what it's like to work in San Diego, CA. Learn if you need a car, explore popular employers, the job market, and the best neighborhoods to live in.
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San Diego, CA
8,493 Job Openings

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