Highest Paying Jobs in San Diego, CA (2024)
The highest paying job in San Diego, CA is Computer and Information Systems Manager at $193,370 median salary. Across 50 tracked occupations, the average median is $115,177. San Diego, CA has a cost-of-living index of 160.2.
50
Roles Ranked
$115,177
Avg Median
160.2
COL Index
$193,370
Top Salary
All Jobs Ranked by Salary
| Rank | Role | Category | Median | Range (10th–90th) | COL-Adjusted | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Computer and Information Systems Manager | Technology | $193,370 | $123,300 – $277,987 | $120,705 | 7,620 |
| 2 | Marketing Manager | Management | $171,590 | $97,740 – $315,846 | $107,110 | 4,390 |
| 3 | Financial Manager | Finance | $168,300 | $95,900 – $290,913 | $105,056 | 8,120 |
| 4 | Lawyer | Legal | $165,000 | $78,730 – $279,977 | $102,996 | 8,990 |
| 5 | Pharmacist | Healthcare | $163,860 | $126,980 – $208,070 | $102,285 | 2,820 |
| 6 | Human Resources Manager | Management | $163,220 | $96,480 – $265,708 | $101,885 | 2,260 |
| 7 | Nurse Practitioner | Healthcare | $162,030 | $104,150 – $229,850 | $101,142 | 2,790 |
| 8 | Medical and Health Services Manager | Healthcare | $160,640 | $76,900 – $270,764 | $100,275 | 5,830 |
| 9 | Software Developer | Technology | $159,240 | $95,130 – $212,100 | $99,401 | 21,080 |
| 10 | Physician Assistant | Healthcare | $153,530 | $95,870 – $213,880 | $95,836 | 1,100 |
| 11 | Registered Nurse | Healthcare | $133,090 | $103,160 – $174,820 | $83,077 | 27,660 |
| 12 | Business Professor (Postsecondary) | Education | $131,590 | $44,550 – $213,620 | $82,141 | 460 |
| 13 | Computer Network Architect | Technology | $131,200 | $73,370 – $192,100 | $81,898 | 1,260 |
| 14 | Information Security Analyst | Technology | $130,900 | $58,950 – $217,940 | $81,710 | 1,240 |
| 15 | Engineers (Other) | Engineering | $130,550 | $78,730 – $184,150 | $81,492 | 3,240 |
| 16 | Electrical Engineer | Engineering | $128,750 | $79,550 – $209,470 | $80,368 | 2,200 |
| 17 | Mechanical Engineer | Engineering | $128,660 | $84,120 – $170,840 | $80,312 | 3,320 |
| 18 | Personal Financial Advisor | Finance | $128,400 | $65,400 – $259,914 | $80,150 | 2,810 |
| 19 | Data Scientist | Technology | $127,200 | $69,920 – $205,700 | $79,401 | 2,550 |
| 20 | Sales Manager | Management | $125,430 | $58,740 – $253,471 | $78,296 | 8,250 |
| 21 | Software Quality Assurance Analyst | Technology | $124,790 | $75,350 – $186,780 | $77,896 | 1,570 |
| 22 | Computer Occupations (Other) | Technology | $121,560 | $56,940 – $179,850 | $75,880 | 8,210 |
| 23 | Dental Hygienist | Healthcare | $120,300 | $107,050 – $129,700 | $75,094 | 2,000 |
| 24 | Architect | Engineering | $118,410 | $78,870 – $178,620 | $73,914 | 1,450 |
| 25 | Web Developer | Technology | $114,400 | $55,010 – $195,910 | $71,411 | 1,470 |
| 26 | Industrial Engineer | Engineering | $114,400 | $77,730 – $172,700 | $71,411 | 3,110 |
| 27 | Computer Systems Analyst | Technology | $113,190 | $74,430 – $168,420 | $70,655 | 4,790 |
| 28 | Software Quality Assurance Tester | Technology | $109,590 | $64,000 – $159,780 | $68,408 | 2,260 |
| 29 | Speech-Language Pathologist | Healthcare | $107,180 | $61,000 – $138,040 | $66,904 | 1,560 |
| 30 | Civil Engineer | Engineering | $106,350 | $78,000 – $164,060 | $66,386 | 6,390 |
| 31 | Physical Therapist | Healthcare | $105,920 | $63,260 – $153,290 | $66,117 | 2,730 |
| 32 | Financial Analyst | Finance | $102,940 | $66,060 – $168,740 | $64,257 | 3,390 |
| 33 | Management Analyst | Management | $102,340 | $66,180 – $177,110 | $63,883 | 9,040 |
| 34 | Network Architect | Technology | $101,990 | $64,970 – $148,740 | $63,664 | 2,690 |
| 35 | Secondary School Teacher | Education | $99,740 | $62,870 – $212,280 | $62,260 | 6,440 |
| 36 | Financial Examiner | Finance | $96,930 | $67,600 – $152,880 | $60,506 | 240 |
| 37 | Accountant | Finance | $93,430 | $59,750 – $165,090 | $58,321 | 14,070 |
| 38 | Market Research Analyst | Management | $79,460 | $45,810 – $154,430 | $49,600 | 7,730 |
| 39 | Elementary School Teacher | Education | $78,430 | $60,870 – $119,310 | $48,958 | 11,720 |
| 40 | Loan Officer | Finance | $77,780 | $34,630 – $184,070 | $48,552 | 2,000 |
| 41 | Paralegal | Legal | $77,550 | $44,980 – $107,410 | $48,408 | 3,690 |
| 42 | Computer Network Support Specialist | Technology | $77,400 | $50,110 – $123,100 | $48,315 | 860 |
| 43 | Public Relations Specialist | Creative | $77,290 | $47,720 – $129,060 | $48,246 | 2,360 |
| 44 | Electrician | Trades | $75,640 | $47,160 – $127,940 | $47,216 | 7,330 |
| 45 | Carpenter | Trades | $73,690 | $47,070 – $118,110 | $45,999 | 9,690 |
| 46 | Writer/Author | Creative | $71,390 | $47,410 – $155,480 | $44,563 | 670 |
| 47 | Clinical Laboratory Technologist | Healthcare | $70,240 | $46,660 – $124,110 | $43,845 | 3,020 |
| 48 | Plumber | Trades | $66,130 | $43,980 – $124,400 | $41,280 | 5,530 |
| 49 | Welder | Trades | $62,800 | $46,410 – $82,030 | $39,201 | 2,730 |
| 50 | Automotive Technician | Trades | $61,040 | $37,440 – $81,790 | $38,102 | 5,180 |
Frequently Asked Questions
The highest paying job in San Diego, CA is Computer and Information Systems Manager with a median salary of $193,370, according to BLS data for 2024.
Across 50 tracked occupations, the average median salary in San Diego, CA is $115,177. The city's cost-of-living index is 160.2 (national average = 100).
San Diego, CA offers high nominal salaries but has a cost-of-living index of 160.2, meaning living expenses are 60% above the national average. Compare the COL-adjusted column to see real purchasing power.
Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS
Last updated:
Rankings based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. COL adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parities.