San Diego Employment

Employment and Industries in the San Diego, California Area

Located in Southern California, the San Diego-Carlsbad-San Marcos metropolitan area has a robust business environment. There are five Fortune 1000 company headquarters located in the San Diego area, and numerous others throughout Southern California. The largest company headquartered in the San Diego area is Sempra Energy. The most famous are probably Jack in the Box, Petco Animal Supplies, and Qualcomm.

The San Diego area is home to many world renowned research centers, including the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, the Salk Institute, the Scripps Research Institute, and the Burnham Research Institute. In addition, many major corporations also have research and development labs in San Diego, including Ericsson, Motorola, Nokia, and Texas Instruments.

The San Diego area has one of the most highly educated work forces in the United States. According to the United States Census Bureau, San Diego ranked as the tenth best educated city in the United States with 39% of the population holding a college degree or higher. In 2005, Central Connecticut State University ranked San Diego as one of the forty most literate cities in America.

In its 2006 list of "Best Cities for Doing Business" in the United States, Inc. magazine ranked the San Diego metropolitan area twentieth in the large cities category. Inc. has ranked San Diego in the top 20 for all three years of the survey (2004-2006). The criteria used for the list emphasizes regional growth. San Diego was also well ranked on Forbes magazine's 2005 list of "Best Places For Business and Careers". Forbes ranked San Diego twenty-fifth out of the 150 largest metropolitan areas in the United States. In the same survey, Forbes also ranked San Diego twenty-first for job growth. The San Diego metropolitan area also achieved a "5-Star Business Opportunity Metro" ranking from Expansion Management's 2005 Mayor's Challenge ranking of the "Top Business Opportunity Metros." Ranking criteria used in the survey include business climate, transportation and logistics infrastructure, quality of life, public education, and other areas important for corporate site selection.

San Diego's economy was traditionally heavily dependent on tourism and defense. Initiatives by public officials in the 1980s have helped to diversify the San Diego area economy and make it less dependent on its traditional base. The San Diego metropolitan area has become a center for biotechnology, communications, computer and electronics manufacturing, medical equipment manufacturing, pharmaceutical development, and software development and computer services. In 2004, the Milken Institute ranked San Diego as the number one biotech cluster in the United States.

The United States Military has a major presence and impact on the San Diego area economy. There is a major Navy and Marines Corps presence in and around San Diego. San Diego is the home port of the largest naval fleet in the world, including the carriers USS Nimitz and the USS Ronald Reagan, and many other navy ships.

Another major influence on the San Diego area's economy is the Port of San Diego. Not only is the port home to a major U.S. Navy presence, it is also a major port of embarkation for cruise ships, as well as home to the largest ship building plant on the west coast, General Dynamics NASSCO. It is the only shipyard on the west coast capable of building and repairing large ocean-going vessels.

For business travelers, the San Diego metropolitan area is served by the San Diego International Airport (SAN). SAN is the thirtieth busiest airport in the United States.

Notable companies in the San Diego metropolitan area include:

  • Edison International
  • General Dynamics NASSCO
  • Jack in the Box
  • Kyocera
  • Petco Animal Supplies
  • Qualcomm
  • Science Applications International Corp. (SAIC)
  • Sempra Energy

Major business organizations in the San Diego area include:

The San Diego Business Journal, and the San Diego Daily Transcript are both good sources of information on business and economy in the San Diego area.

Jobs in San Diego

RankTitleTotal EmployeesLocal Mean Salary (Per Year)Local Mean Salary (Per hour)National Growth % 2014-2024
1All Occupations1494940$60,230$28.96100
2Office and Administrative Support Occupations184580$44,310$21.3113.75
3Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations159740$31,010$14.918.7
4Sales and Related Occupations150520$44,150$21.239.5
5Business and Financial Operations Occupations98340$79,410$38.185.35
6Management Occupations94520$134,100$64.476.35
7Transportation and Material Moving Occupations90420$37,960$18.256.7
8Educational Instruction and Library Occupations89170$65,290$31.396
9Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations77430$99,910$48.045.85
10Healthcare Support Occupations67740$34,570$16.622.85
11Production Occupations66800$42,780$20.575.6
12Construction and Extraction Occupations64000$58,290$28.024.6
13Computer and Mathematical Occupations57080$102,430$49.253
14Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations47480$53,750$25.843.75
15Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations45830$35,190$16.923.6
16Architecture and Engineering Occupations44720$97,850$47.051.7
17Cashiers40850$27,620$13.282.2
18Personal Care and Service Occupations40550$33,790$16.244.65
19Retail Salespersons39220$31,450$15.122.7
20Fast Food and Counter Workers38840$27,650$13.32.45
21Protective Service Occupations36150$57,120$27.462.2
22Home Health and Personal Care Aides35570$29,000$13.940
23Waiters and Waitresses31900$32,070$15.421.65
24Office Clerks, General27570$36,900$17.741.9
25Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations25270$85,740$41.220.8
26Registered Nurses25260$104,860$50.421.95
27General and Operations Managers23380$140,980$67.781.5
28Project Management Specialists and Business Operations Specialists, All Other22720$82,790$39.80.7
29Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand22080$31,850$15.311.8
30Community and Social Service Occupations20910$55,600$26.731.75
31Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners20780$35,120$16.891.5
32Software Developers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers20540$117,020$56.260.65
33Cooks, Restaurant20190$31,220$15.010.9
34Customer Service Representatives19020$40,330$19.391.75
35Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations18720$60,320$291.8
36Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive18670$43,610$20.971.4
37Stockers and Order Fillers17770$31,840$15.311.25
38Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks14510$47,150$22.671.05
39Security Guards14110$32,000$15.390.7
40First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers13810$61,620$29.630.95
41Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel12590$63,190$30.380.7
42Food Preparation Workers12140$29,410$14.140.5
43Maintenance and Repair Workers, General12110$44,500$21.390.9
44Accountants and Auditors11750$87,210$41.930.9
45Legal Occupations11680$117,740$56.610.8
46First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers10730$46,450$22.330.95
47Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products10710$74,390$35.770.85
48Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers10100$33,780$16.240.75
49Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners9950$30,210$14.520.9
50Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants9940$43,930$21.120.4
51First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers9510$40,090$19.280.6
52Nursing Assistants9200$37,850$18.20.95
53Counter and Rental Clerks9010$37,650$18.10.3
54Management Analysts8960$87,180$41.920.55
55Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators8750$35,880$17.250.8
56Carpenters8590$55,620$26.740.6
57Computer Occupations, All Other8510$93,910$45.150.3
58Construction Laborers8500$50,570$24.310.9
59Dishwashers8330$26,670$12.820.3
60Cooks, Fast Food8280$27,770$13.350.3
61Bartenders8260$31,160$14.980.4
62Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists8260$69,040$33.190.45
63Medical Assistants8130$39,810$19.140.45
64Light Truck Drivers8110$45,600$21.920.6
65Receptionists and Information Clerks7830$34,570$16.620.7
66Financial Managers7760$149,290$71.770.4
67Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers7740$28,560$13.730.3
68Electricians7640$60,850$29.250.45
69Lawyers7570$144,060$69.260.5
70Substitute Teachers, Short-Term7530$39,300$18.90.4
71Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers7220$48,340$23.241.2
72Personal Service Managers, All Other; Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling; and Managers, All Other7080$140,370$67.490.7
73Computer Systems Analysts6830$98,460$47.340.4
74Sales Managers6660$128,830$61.940.3
75Human Resources Specialists6540$67,660$32.530.4
76Computer and Information Systems Managers6490$164,570$79.120.3
77Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses6190$62,310$29.960.5
78Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents6140$73,810$35.490.3
79Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks6050$36,060$17.340.4
80Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers5850$39,650$19.060.2
81Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics5810$50,810$24.430.5
82Electronics Engineers, Except Computer5770$128,830$61.940.1
83First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers5710$79,630$38.290.4
84Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters5370$59,180$28.450.3
85Billing and Posting Clerks5310$48,560$23.350.3
86Dental Assistants5270$41,550$19.980.2
87Civil Engineers5250$97,460$46.860.2
88Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers5220$48,960$23.540.35
89Packers and Packagers, Hand5200$29,000$13.940.4
90Financial and Investment Analysts, Financial Risk Specialists, and Financial Specialists, All Other5160$80,380$38.650.2
91Amusement and Recreation Attendants5130$27,680$13.310.2
92Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop5080$28,290$13.60.3
93Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers5030$90,550$43.530.4
94Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists4940$33,610$16.160.4
95Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment4880$29,760$14.310.3
96Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks4880$54,350$26.130.2
97Buyers and Purchasing Agents4780$72,010$34.620.25
98Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants4740$66,360$31.910.35
99Compliance Officers4650$79,190$38.070.2
100Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education4590$36,890$17.730.3
Source: 2019 Occupational Employment Statistics and 2018-28 Employment Projections, Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS.gov
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Additional Details

San Diego Colleges
San Diego colleges and trade schools.

Jobs More Common Near San Diego Than Most Other Cities

* Average job popularity for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
All Occupations$60,2301,494,940
Office and Administrative Support Occupations$44,310184,580
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations$31,010159,740
Sales and Related Occupations$44,150150,520
Business and Financial Operations Occupations$79,41098,340
Management Occupations$134,10094,520
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations$37,96090,420
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations$65,29089,170
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations$99,91077,430
Healthcare Support Occupations$34,57067,740
Production Occupations$42,78066,800
Construction and Extraction Occupations$58,29064,000
Computer and Mathematical Occupations$102,43057,080
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations$53,75047,480
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations$35,19045,830
Architecture and Engineering Occupations$97,85044,720
Cashiers$27,62040,850
Personal Care and Service Occupations$33,79040,550
Retail Salespersons$31,45039,220
Fast Food and Counter Workers$27,65038,840
Protective Service Occupations$57,12036,150
Home Health and Personal Care Aides$29,00035,570
Waiters and Waitresses$32,07031,900
Office Clerks, General$36,90027,570
Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations$85,74025,270
Registered Nurses$104,86025,260
General and Operations Managers$140,98023,380
Project Management Specialists and Business Operations Specialists, All Other$82,79022,720
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$31,85022,080
Community and Social Service Occupations$55,60020,910
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$35,12020,780
Software Developers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers$117,02020,540
Cooks, Restaurant$31,22020,190
Customer Service Representatives$40,33019,020
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations$60,32018,720
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$43,61018,670
Stockers and Order Fillers$31,84017,770
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$47,15014,510
Security Guards$32,00014,110
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$61,62013,810
Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel$63,19012,590
Food Preparation Workers$29,41012,140
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$44,50012,110
Accountants and Auditors$87,21011,750
Legal Occupations$117,74011,680
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$46,45010,730
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$74,39010,710
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers$33,78010,100
Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$30,2109,950
Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants$43,9309,940

Work Paying Relatively Well in the San Diego, California Metro Area (2008 data)

* Average Salary Index for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
All Occupations$60,2301,494,940
Office and Administrative Support Occupations$44,310184,580
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations$31,010159,740
Sales and Related Occupations$44,150150,520
Business and Financial Operations Occupations$79,41098,340
Management Occupations$134,10094,520
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations$37,96090,420
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations$65,29089,170
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations$99,91077,430
Healthcare Support Occupations$34,57067,740
Production Occupations$42,78066,800
Construction and Extraction Occupations$58,29064,000
Computer and Mathematical Occupations$102,43057,080
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations$53,75047,480
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations$35,19045,830
Architecture and Engineering Occupations$97,85044,720
Cashiers$27,62040,850
Personal Care and Service Occupations$33,79040,550
Retail Salespersons$31,45039,220
Fast Food and Counter Workers$27,65038,840
Protective Service Occupations$57,12036,150
Home Health and Personal Care Aides$29,00035,570
Waiters and Waitresses$32,07031,900
Office Clerks, General$36,90027,570
Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations$85,74025,270
Registered Nurses$104,86025,260
General and Operations Managers$140,98023,380
Project Management Specialists and Business Operations Specialists, All Other$82,79022,720
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$31,85022,080
Community and Social Service Occupations$55,60020,910
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$35,12020,780
Software Developers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers$117,02020,540
Cooks, Restaurant$31,22020,190
Customer Service Representatives$40,33019,020
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations$60,32018,720
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$43,61018,670
Stockers and Order Fillers$31,84017,770
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$47,15014,510
Security Guards$32,00014,110
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$61,62013,810
Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel$63,19012,590
Food Preparation Workers$29,41012,140
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$44,50012,110
Accountants and Auditors$87,21011,750
Legal Occupations$117,74011,680
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$46,45010,730
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$74,39010,710
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers$33,78010,100
Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$30,2109,950
Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants$43,9309,940

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