Accountants and Auditors Salary in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
The median pay for a accountants and auditors in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA is $93,430/year ($44.92/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $60K at the entry level to $165K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 111.89), so that salary is closer to $83,502 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,001/month — about 51.2% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $93K get you in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad?
About accountants and auditors
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
Entry-level accountants and auditors (10th percentile) start around $60K. Mid-career wages sit at $93K.Top earners bring in $165K or more - a $105K spread from bottom to top.
Accountants and Auditors pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $103K | +26% | 9,600 |
| New York | $102K | +25% | 111,860 |
| New Jersey | $101K | +24% | 43,540 |
| Massachusetts | $97K | +18% | 45,520 |
| California | $96K | +18% | 173,370 |
| Washington | $96K | +18% | 37,400 |
| Rhode Island | $90K | +10% | 5,980 |
| Connecticut | $90K | +10% | 16,590 |
| Maryland | $85K | +4% | 25,630 |
| Delaware | $85K | +4% | 6,120 |
| Virginia | $84K | +3% | 50,220 |
| New Hampshire | $83K | +1% | 7,820 |
| Alaska | $82K | +0% | 2,440 |
| Oregon | $81K | -1% | 15,370 |
| Minnesota | $81K | -1% | 30,400 |
Track accountants and auditors salary changes
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Frequently asked questions
How much do accountants and auditors make in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
The median is $93,430 a year - that works out to about $44.92 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $59,750, and experienced accountants and auditors can clear $165,090. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $93K enough to live in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,774/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,001/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 52% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a accountants and auditors salary go in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad?
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad has a Regional Price Parity of 111.89 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median accountants and auditors salary is worth about $83,502 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do accountants and auditors get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.