ocity
💰 COL Index: 112 — Near Avg Cost

Salaries in San Diego, CA

Modeled occupation planning estimates with gross-pay and cost-context formulas.

Model generated 2026-02-25 · Methodology reviewed July 16, 2026 · 40 selected occupations

Selected-Role Model Average
$72,174
unweighted modeled medians; not a worker average
Purchasing-Power Model
$64,730
model average ÷ 111.5 × 100
Highest Modeled Role
Marketing Manager
$163,057
City 1BR Rent Reference
$2,248
monthly context; not a current quote

What does the salary model mean for San Diego?

$72,174 is the unweighted arithmetic average of the modeled medians for these 40 selected occupations. It is not an official mean or median for all local workers.

Model average$72,174/year
Gross monthly equivalent$6,015/month
Household income context$105,780

Keep the measures separate: gross monthly salary is before taxes and deductions; household income can include multiple earners; the selected-role model average is not weighted by local employment.

🏆 Highest Modeled Values in This 40-Role Set

Ranked by modeled annual occupation median. These are planning estimates, not direct local OEWS rows.

🥇 +3% vs national

Marketing Manager

$163,057
💡 Purchasing-power model $146,239
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $78.39/hr
National projected growth +8.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
🥈 +3% vs national

Pharmacist

$140,723
💡 Purchasing-power model $126,209
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $67.66/hr
National projected growth -3.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
🥉 +3% vs national

Software Developer

$131,650
💡 Purchasing-power model $118,072
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $63.29/hr
National projected growth +17.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
4️⃣ +3% vs national

Construction Manager

$111,943
💡 Purchasing-power model $100,397
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $53.82/hr
National projected growth +8.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
5️⃣ +3% vs national

Project Manager

$104,774
💡 Purchasing-power model $93,968
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $50.37/hr
National projected growth +6.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →

📋 Complete Salary Guide — All 40 Occupations in San Diego

Purchasing-power equivalent = modeled annual median divided by the planning cost index (111.5/100). It does not estimate taxes or take-home pay. This city cost reference is above 100.

Showing all 40 occupations.

#
1 Marketing Manager $163,057
2 Pharmacist $140,723
3 Software Developer $131,650
4 Construction Manager $111,943
5 Project Manager $104,774
6 Physical Therapist $103,149
7 Financial Analyst $102,425
8 Web Developer $95,949
9 Dental Hygienist $90,549
10 Accountant $89,049
11 Registered Nurse $89,039
12 Data Analyst $86,235
13 Insurance Agent $82,697
14 Loan Officer $78,828
15 Police Officer $77,494
16 Human Resources Specialist $69,983
17 Elementary School Teacher $65,866
18 Plumber $65,535
19 Paralegal $64,914
20 Electrician $63,673
21 Real Estate Agent $63,601
22 Graphic Designer $63,456
23 Social Worker $62,959
24 Chef/Head Cook $62,432
25 Firefighter $59,090
26 Carpenter $58,883
27 HVAC Technician $57,590
28 Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) $56,504
29 Heavy Truck Driver $54,921
30 Welder $51,300
31 Auto Mechanic $49,987
32 Personal Trainer $48,290
33 Dental Assistant $46,366
34 Veterinary Technician $44,214
35 Pharmacy Technician $41,690
36 Cosmetologist $39,693
37 Medical Assistant $39,590
38 Security Guard $37,386
39 Nursing Assistant (CNA) $36,993
40 Nail Technician $34,500

OCity planning estimates. National occupation references are inputs; displayed city values are modeled rather than direct local BLS occupation rows.

San Diego salary model: formulas, sources and limitations

Stored occupation model comparison

modeled estimate ÷ stored national reference = row comparison

On this owner, estimate-to-reference ratios are approximately 1.034×. Ratios can vary by occupation, so this is not described as one citywide multiplier or a direct local OEWS download.

Purchasing-power equivalent

modeled estimate ÷ 111.5 × 100

This comparison does not estimate taxes or take-home pay and is not an official BLS adjustment.

Limitations. “Average” is unweighted across selected occupations. Growth fields are national occupation projections, not local forecasts. City and metro geographies can differ. Repeated stored employment counts are not presented as local jobs.
BLS OEWS methodologyBLS national projectionsCensus/ACS income context

Model generated 2026-02-25; methodology reviewed July 16, 2026.

🏙️ Living Costs in San Diego

🏠
1BR Rent
$2,248/mo
🏡
2BR Rent
$2,833/mo
🏘️
Median Home
$930,000
📉
Unemployment
5.2%
💳
Median Income
$105,780
🎓
College Educated
52%
🚶
Walk Score
75/100
📊
Cost of Living
112
Near Avg Cost
📊 Full Cost of Living Breakdown → 🏠 Real Estate Market →

🧮 Test Your San Diego Budget

Use scenario tools to compare gross pay and city cost context. Results depend on the inputs and do not guarantee take-home pay, housing approval or affordability.

💰 Decode a Job Offer 🔄 Salary Equivalence Calculator 🔍 Career Arbitrage Tool

❓ San Diego Salary FAQ

What does the average salary in San Diego mean on this page?

▼
$72,174 is the unweighted arithmetic average of the modeled medians for 40 selected occupations. It is not an official mean or median for all San Diego workers.

What is the monthly salary estimate in San Diego?

▼
The selected-occupation model average equals about $6,015 per month before taxes and deductions. This gross arithmetic conversion is not take-home pay or household income.

What is a good salary in San Diego?

▼
There is no universal threshold. Household size, current housing quotes, taxes, debt, benefits, transportation and other recurring costs determine fit. The figures here are planning references, not affordability guarantees.

Are these direct local BLS salary observations for San Diego?

▼
No. Each stored city planning estimate is compared with its stored national occupation reference. The estimate-to-reference relationship is approximately 1.034×; it is not represented as one universal city multiplier or a direct local BLS observation.

📝 Planning Takeaways for San Diego

Use the occupation rows to compare modeled gross-pay references, not to predict an offer. Validate the exact role, experience level, employer, benefits and location. Then model taxes and current household costs before making a relocation or career decision.

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