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Highest-paying business jobs in San Diego
Stacker compiled a list of the highest paying business jobs in San Diego-Carlsbad, CA metro area using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Jobs are ranked by 2021 annual mean wage. Jobs the BLS lists as "business and financial operations occupations" were included. Keep reading to discover the highest paying business jobs in your city.
#25. Tax preparers
San Diego-Carlsbad, CA
- Annual mean salary: $53,180
- #51 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 630
National
- Annual mean salary: $51,080
- Employment: 83,190
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Anchorage, AK ($81,880)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($79,470)
--- Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO ($73,170)
- Annual mean salary: $53,180
- #51 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 630
National
- Annual mean salary: $51,080
- Employment: 83,190
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Anchorage, AK ($81,880)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($79,470)
--- Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO ($73,170)
#24. Credit counselors
San Diego-Carlsbad, CA
- Annual mean salary: $53,820
- #36 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 190
National
- Annual mean salary: $50,430
- Employment: 31,230
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Durham-Chapel Hill, NC ($74,570)
--- Lincoln, NE ($69,990)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($66,410)
- Annual mean salary: $53,820
- #36 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 190
National
- Annual mean salary: $50,430
- Employment: 31,230
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Durham-Chapel Hill, NC ($74,570)
--- Lincoln, NE ($69,990)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($66,410)
#23. Meeting, convention, and event planners
San Diego-Carlsbad, CA
- Annual mean salary: $58,840
- #37 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,670
National
- Annual mean salary: $57,850
- Employment: 98,150
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($82,140)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($79,790)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($79,740)
- Annual mean salary: $58,840
- #37 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,670
National
- Annual mean salary: $57,850
- Employment: 98,150
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($82,140)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($79,790)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($79,740)
#22. Fundraisers
San Diego-Carlsbad, CA
- Annual mean salary: $66,620
- #53 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 590
National
- Annual mean salary: $64,870
- Employment: 82,080
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($91,460)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($86,070)
--- Salinas, CA ($83,760)
- Annual mean salary: $66,620
- #53 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 590
National
- Annual mean salary: $64,870
- Employment: 82,080
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($91,460)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($86,070)
--- Salinas, CA ($83,760)
#21. Tax examiners and collectors, and revenue agents
San Diego-Carlsbad, CA
- Annual mean salary: $74,880
- #36 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 350
National
- Annual mean salary: $63,200
- Employment: 52,270
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Stockton-Lodi, CA ($102,470)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($99,710)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($98,850)
- Annual mean salary: $74,880
- #36 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 350
National
- Annual mean salary: $63,200
- Employment: 52,270
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Stockton-Lodi, CA ($102,470)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($99,710)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($98,850)
#20. Market research analysts and marketing specialists
San Diego-Carlsbad, CA
- Annual mean salary: $75,710
- #30 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 7,810
National
- Annual mean salary: $76,080
- Employment: 727,540
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($119,180)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($108,370)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($99,510)
- Annual mean salary: $75,710
- #30 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 7,810
National
- Annual mean salary: $76,080
- Employment: 727,540
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($119,180)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($108,370)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($99,510)
#19. Training and development specialists
San Diego-Carlsbad, CA
- Annual mean salary: $76,790
- #33 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,940
National
- Annual mean salary: $67,620
- Employment: 336,030
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Dothan, AL ($111,580)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($94,720)
--- Decatur, AL ($94,650)
- Annual mean salary: $76,790
- #33 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,940
National
- Annual mean salary: $67,620
- Employment: 336,030
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Dothan, AL ($111,580)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($94,720)
--- Decatur, AL ($94,650)
#18. Human resources specialists
San Diego-Carlsbad, CA
- Annual mean salary: $77,240
- #21 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 7,440
National
- Annual mean salary: $70,720
- Employment: 740,830
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($102,590)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($95,460)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($91,400)
- Annual mean salary: $77,240
- #21 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 7,440
National
- Annual mean salary: $70,720
- Employment: 740,830
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($102,590)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($95,460)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($91,400)
#17. Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators
San Diego-Carlsbad, CA
- Annual mean salary: $77,600
- #41 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,760
National
- Annual mean salary: $70,960
- Employment: 278,140
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Kennewick-Richland, WA ($104,350)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($95,200)
--- Salinas, CA ($90,800)
- Annual mean salary: $77,600
- #41 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,760
National
- Annual mean salary: $70,960
- Employment: 278,140
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Kennewick-Richland, WA ($104,350)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($95,200)
--- Salinas, CA ($90,800)
#16. Loan officers
San Diego-Carlsbad, CA
- Annual mean salary: $80,130
- #139 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,520
National
- Annual mean salary: $80,570
- Employment: 340,170
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($111,830)
--- Bend-Redmond, OR ($106,290)
--- Wilmington, NC ($104,930)
- Annual mean salary: $80,130
- #139 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,520
National
- Annual mean salary: $80,570
- Employment: 340,170
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($111,830)
--- Bend-Redmond, OR ($106,290)
--- Wilmington, NC ($104,930)
#15. Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists
San Diego-Carlsbad, CA
- Annual mean salary: $80,350
- #18 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 770
National
- Annual mean salary: $73,810
- Employment: 87,750
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($103,980)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($97,020)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($96,830)
- Annual mean salary: $80,350
- #18 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 770
National
- Annual mean salary: $73,810
- Employment: 87,750
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($103,980)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($97,020)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($96,830)
#14. Compliance officers
San Diego-Carlsbad, CA
- Annual mean salary: $82,750
- #30 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 5,510
National
- Annual mean salary: $75,810
- Employment: 334,340
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($103,650)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($99,460)
--- California-Lexington Park, MD ($96,030)
- Annual mean salary: $82,750
- #30 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 5,510
National
- Annual mean salary: $75,810
- Employment: 334,340
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($103,650)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($99,460)
--- California-Lexington Park, MD ($96,030)
#13. Labor relations specialists
San Diego-Carlsbad, CA
- Annual mean salary: $83,030
- #38 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 410
National
- Annual mean salary: $77,070
- Employment: 63,810
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Urban Honolulu, HI ($104,620)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($98,470)
--- Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA ($97,520)
- Annual mean salary: $83,030
- #38 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 410
National
- Annual mean salary: $77,070
- Employment: 63,810
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Urban Honolulu, HI ($104,620)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($98,470)
--- Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA ($97,520)
#12. Cost estimators
San Diego-Carlsbad, CA
- Annual mean salary: $83,580
- #19 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,640
National
- Annual mean salary: $73,740
- Employment: 208,950
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($104,660)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($99,450)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($98,550)
- Annual mean salary: $83,580
- #19 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,640
National
- Annual mean salary: $73,740
- Employment: 208,950
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($104,660)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($99,450)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($98,550)
#11. Accountants and auditors
San Diego-Carlsbad, CA
- Annual mean salary: $87,530
- #24 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 11,410
National
- Annual mean salary: $83,980
- Employment: 1,318,550
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($112,830)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($109,330)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($107,540)
- Annual mean salary: $87,530
- #24 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 11,410
National
- Annual mean salary: $83,980
- Employment: 1,318,550
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($112,830)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($109,330)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($107,540)
#10. Insurance underwriters
San Diego-Carlsbad, CA
- Annual mean salary: $88,190
- #27 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 830
National
- Annual mean salary: $79,940
- Employment: 107,690
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($121,000)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($108,990)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($103,150)
- Annual mean salary: $88,190
- #27 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 830
National
- Annual mean salary: $79,940
- Employment: 107,690
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($121,000)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($108,990)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($103,150)
#9. Logisticians
San Diego-Carlsbad, CA
- Annual mean salary: $88,480
- #23 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,090
National
- Annual mean salary: $79,230
- Employment: 189,320
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- California-Lexington Park, MD ($115,100)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($111,740)
--- Kokomo, IN ($101,310)
- Annual mean salary: $88,480
- #23 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,090
National
- Annual mean salary: $79,230
- Employment: 189,320
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- California-Lexington Park, MD ($115,100)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($111,740)
--- Kokomo, IN ($101,310)
#8. Budget analysts
San Diego-Carlsbad, CA
- Annual mean salary: $89,770
- #25 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 490
National
- Annual mean salary: $84,240
- Employment: 47,440
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($114,670)
--- Iowa City, IA ($108,870)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($106,380)
- Annual mean salary: $89,770
- #25 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 490
National
- Annual mean salary: $84,240
- Employment: 47,440
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($114,670)
--- Iowa City, IA ($108,870)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($106,380)
#7. Credit analysts
San Diego-Carlsbad, CA
- Annual mean salary: $89,800
- #27 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 600
National
- Annual mean salary: $88,030
- Employment: 68,770
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($128,950)
--- Danbury, CT ($121,560)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($117,860)
- Annual mean salary: $89,800
- #27 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 600
National
- Annual mean salary: $88,030
- Employment: 68,770
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($128,950)
--- Danbury, CT ($121,560)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($117,860)
#6. Management analysts
San Diego-Carlsbad, CA
- Annual mean salary: $93,460
- #127 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 7,840
National
- Annual mean salary: $100,530
- Employment: 768,450
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Dothan, AL ($135,020)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($127,320)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($125,250)
- Annual mean salary: $93,460
- #127 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 7,840
National
- Annual mean salary: $100,530
- Employment: 768,450
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Dothan, AL ($135,020)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($127,320)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($125,250)
#5. Financial and investment analysts
San Diego-Carlsbad, CA
- Annual mean salary: $99,090
- #43 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,890
National
- Annual mean salary: $103,020
- Employment: 291,880
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($135,620)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($133,640)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($132,820)
- Annual mean salary: $99,090
- #43 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,890
National
- Annual mean salary: $103,020
- Employment: 291,880
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($135,620)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($133,640)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($132,820)
#4. Financial examiners
San Diego-Carlsbad, CA
- Annual mean salary: $101,690
- #16 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 210
National
- Annual mean salary: $96,180
- Employment: 60,750
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($128,280)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($125,590)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($124,070)
- Annual mean salary: $101,690
- #16 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 210
National
- Annual mean salary: $96,180
- Employment: 60,750
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($128,280)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($125,590)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($124,070)
#3. Project management specialists
San Diego-Carlsbad, CA
- Annual mean salary: $102,120
- #33 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 7,350
National
- Annual mean salary: $98,420
- Employment: 743,860
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($133,950)
--- Birmingham-Hoover, AL ($130,250)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($125,330)
- Annual mean salary: $102,120
- #33 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 7,350
National
- Annual mean salary: $98,420
- Employment: 743,860
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($133,950)
--- Birmingham-Hoover, AL ($130,250)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($125,330)
#2. Financial risk specialists
San Diego-Carlsbad, CA
- Annual mean salary: $110,530
- #17 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 270
National
- Annual mean salary: $110,610
- Employment: 54,320
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($146,590)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($141,890)
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($141,590)
- Annual mean salary: $110,530
- #17 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 270
National
- Annual mean salary: $110,610
- Employment: 54,320
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($146,590)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($141,890)
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($141,590)
#1. Personal financial advisors
San Diego-Carlsbad, CA
- Annual mean salary: $125,330
- #82 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,840
National
- Annual mean salary: $119,960
- Employment: 263,030
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Barnstable Town, MA ($172,780)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($161,010)
--- East Stroudsburg, PA ($158,790)
- Annual mean salary: $125,330
- #82 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,840
National
- Annual mean salary: $119,960
- Employment: 263,030
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Barnstable Town, MA ($172,780)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($161,010)
--- East Stroudsburg, PA ($158,790)
