San Diego Hourly Wage & Salary 2026
San Diego, CA: $37.74/hr median hourly wage, $78,500 median annual salary, cost of living index 160, and $16.50/hr minimum wage. Calculate take-home pay with federal and California taxes.
San Diego Hourly Wage Quick Answer
The median hourly wage in San Diego, CA is $37.74/hr, equivalent to $78,500 per year at 2,080 work hours. Entry-level pay estimates around $23.40/hr, senior-level pay estimates around $53.59/hr, and the local minimum wage is $16.50/hr.
Median Salary
$78,500
$37.74/hr
Cost of Living
160
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$16.50
per hour
Unemployment
3.8%
rate
San Diego, CA Overview
Population
1,386,932
Median Salary
$78,500
Average Salary
$87,000
Avg Commute
25 min
Median Home Price
$780,000
Median Rent
$2,500/mo
Job Growth
+2.2%
Sales Tax
7.75%
San Diego is located in California with a population of 1,386,932. The median household salary is $78,500 per year ($37.74/hour), which is $19,116 above the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 25 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +2.2%.
San Diego Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in San Diego, CA based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $78,500 median salary. Entry-level represents 10th–25th percentile; mid-level is the median; senior-level represents 75th–90th percentile.
| Experience Level | Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | Years Exp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | $48,670 | $23.40/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $78,500 | $37.74/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $111,470 | $53.59/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $139,730 | $67.18/hr | 15+ years / leadership |
Percentile multipliers (62%, 100%, 142%, 178%) derived from 2024 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics distribution across all occupations in metro areas. Specific roles vary; see jobs by city for role-specific data.
San Diego Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in San Diego, CA, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$56,754
$4,729.52/month · $2,182.86/biweekly · Effective Rate: 27.7%
Gross Pay
$78,500
Federal Tax
-$8,440
State Tax
-$7,301
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$6,005
Net Pay
$56,754
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $6,541.67 | $78,500.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$703.33 | -$8,440.00 |
| California State Tax (9.3%) | -$608.38 | -$7,300.50 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$405.58 | -$4,867.00 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$94.85 | -$1,138.25 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $4,729.52 | $56,754.25 |
Salary Comparison: San Diego vs Other Cities
See how San Diego's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego, CA | $78,500 | 160 | $49,063 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Gilbert, AZ | $78,500 | 110 | $71,364 |
| Denver, CO | $78,500 | 118 | $66,525 |
| South Jordan, UT | $78,414 | 105.2 | $74,538 |
| Bowie, MD | $78,360 | 112.8 | $69,468 |
Adjusted salary reflects purchasing power when cost of living is factored in. A higher adjusted salary means your money goes further.
Cost of Living in San Diego
San Diego's cost of living index is 160 (national average = 100). Living in San Diego is 60% more expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$780,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,500
Annual Rent Cost
$30,000
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $56,754 annual take-home pay in San Diego has the purchasing power of approximately $35,471 in an average-cost US area. You would need to earn $125,600 in San Diego to match a $78,500 salary in an average-cost city.
Top Industries in San Diego
San Diego's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $78,500.
Salary Tips for San Diego Workers
- Negotiate for cost of living. San Diego has a cost of living 60% above the national average. When negotiating salary, factor in the higher housing and living costs to ensure your real purchasing power stays competitive.
- Maximize pre-tax deductions. With a 9.3% state income tax rate, maximizing 401(k) contributions (up to $24,500 in 2026) and HSA contributions can significantly reduce both your federal and state tax burden.
- Research top industries. San Diego's top industries include Military, Biotech, Tourism. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $78,500 median salary.
- Review your W-4 withholding. If you regularly receive large tax refunds, adjust your W-4 to increase your per-paycheck take-home pay instead of giving the government an interest-free loan.
Job Salaries in San Diego, CA
Browse occupation-specific salary estimates adjusted for San Diego's cost of living. These pages connect national role benchmarks with local take-home pay and market context.
Methodology & Local Economy Data Sources
How we calculate San Diego salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the San Diego-CA metropolitan statistical area (MSA), weighted by local employment counts. Cost-of-living adjustments use the C2ER Cost of Living Index baseline of 100 (national average), with San Diego indexed at 160.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of San Diego's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $78,500 annual median.
- Tax burden reflects California state income tax (9.3%) (no local income tax), sales tax (7.75%), and federal taxes per IRS 2026 brackets.
- Unemployment rate for San Diego: 3.8%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Military, Biotech, Tourism — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 2.2% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for California.
- Housing context: median home price $780,000, median rent $2,500/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for San Diego, CA:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — San Diego unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — San Diego QuickFacts — population, housing, demographics
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) — county-level industry employment
- BLS Economy at a Glance — California — state economic indicators
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) — local GDP and personal income data
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation tracking
Disclaimer: Salary and cost data are estimates for general guidance. Individual compensation varies by employer, experience, education, negotiation, and skills. San Diego's rapidly changing economy can shift these baselines — always verify with current job listings, employer offers, and recent California labor market reports for the most current figures.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk· Last updated 2026 · BLS & Census data current as of latest releases
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly wage in San Diego, CA?
The median hourly wage in San Diego, CA is $37.74 per hour. At a standard 2,080-hour work year, that equals about $78,500 per year. Entry-level workers are estimated around $23.40/hr, while senior-level workers are estimated around $53.59/hr before overtime, bonuses, or benefits.
What is the median salary in San Diego, CA?
The median salary in San Diego, CA is $78,500 per year, or $37.74 per hour. The average salary is $87,000. This is $19,116 above the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in San Diego, CA?
San Diego's cost of living index is 160 (national average = 100), meaning it is 60% more expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $780,000 and the median monthly rent is $2,500.
What are the best industries in San Diego?
The top industries in San Diego, CA include Military, Biotech, Tourism. The city has a job growth rate of 2.2% and an unemployment rate of 3.8%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $78,500.
How does San Diego's salary compare to other cities?
San Diego's median salary of $78,500 is 32.2% above the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 160), the real purchasing power is approximately $49,063.
What is the minimum wage in San Diego, CA?
The minimum wage in San Diego, CA is $16.50 per hour. This equals approximately $34,320 per year for a full-time worker (40 hours/week). This is $9.25 above the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour.