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San Diego engineer salary

Estimate

Updated January 2025

What engineers earn in the San Diego–Chula Vista–Carlsbad metro, with a full breakdown by role.

Typical pay

$134,018

San Diego

Top earners

$206,013

Higher end

vs national

+15% vs national

U.S. $116,537

State

CA

California

Engineers in the San Diego–Chula Vista–Carlsbad metro earn an estimated $134,018, +15% vs national, with top earners near $206,013. See the full breakdown by role below, or estimate your own total compensation — the number sharpens as local engineers contribute.

Engineering pay by role in San Diego

Estimated pay for each discipline in San Diego. Filter the list or open a role for the full picture.

22results

What affects engineering pay in San Diego

  • ▹Local market. San Diego pay runs +15% vs national for the typical engineer, usually above the California statewide estimate.
  • ▹Industry concentration.A metro's dominant employers (tech, defense, energy, healthcare) shift which engineering disciplines command a premium locally.
  • ▹Experience & specialization. Seniority and in-demand skills swing pay well beyond the metro median — see the role table above and the calculator.
  • ▹Remote work.Remote offers may anchor to a company's HQ market rather than San Diego, raising or lowering local pay.

Other California metros

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Engineer salaries in San Diego — FAQ

How much do engineers make in San Diego?
Engineers in the San Diego–Chula Vista–Carlsbad metro earn an estimated median of $134,018 per year — 15% above the national average — with top earners near $206,013. These are labeled estimates: geographic pay is modeled from BLS OEWS national baselines adjusted by a local cost-of-labor index, not a direct BLS metro/state wage.
What is the highest-paying engineering role in San Diego?
Engineering Managers have the highest estimated pay in San Diego, around $190,175 (median). Local industry concentration shifts which disciplines command the biggest premium.
How does engineering pay in San Diego compare to the national average?
The estimated San Diego engineering median of $134,018 is 15% above the national average of $116,537, and usually runs above the California statewide estimate.
Source details

Blended engineering estimate for San Diego: BLS OEWS national engineering median adjusted by a 1.15× cost-of-labor index.

Benchmarks come from published government wage data via BLS OEWS. Local and emerging-role figures are labeled estimates. Full methodology →

Estimate your salary →All of California →

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