RateOrchard
METRO DATA PROFILE · 2024

Accountants and Auditors salary in San Diego, California

Metro-level median, range, and employment from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics for the San Diego metropolitan area. Skills and task data from O*NET. State and national figures shown for context.

Adrian Serafin, founder and editor of RateOrchardBy Adrian SerafinFounderUpdated April 30, 2026
Median annual$93,430
Mean annual$104,740
Range (10th to 90th)$59,750 to $165,090
San Diego, California employment14,070
State vs national+10.7% vs national

Salary distribution

Where San Diego accountants and auditors fall on the wage curve.

Annual wage distribution

Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)

10TH$59,75025TH$74,720MEDIAN$93,43075TH$124,59090TH$165,090

The middle 50% of workers earn between $74,720 and $124,590, with a median of $93,430.

Typical entry

  • Education

    Bachelor's degree

  • Experience

    None

  • On-the-job training

    None

Top skills (O*NET)

  • Economics and Accounting

    Knowledge

    4.7 / 5
  • English Language

    Knowledge

    4.0 / 5
  • Deductive Reasoning

    Ability

    3.9 / 5
  • Active Listening

    Basic skill

    3.9 / 5
  • Reading Comprehension

    Basic skill

    3.9 / 5
  • Oral Expression

    Ability

    3.9 / 5
  • Written Comprehension

    Ability

    3.9 / 5
  • Mathematical Reasoning

    Ability

    3.9 / 5

Common tasks (O*NET)

  1. 01

    Prepare detailed reports on audit findings.

  2. 02

    Report to management about asset utilization and audit results, and recommend changes in operations and financial activities.

  3. 03

    Collect and analyze data to detect deficient controls, duplicated effort, extravagance, fraud, or non-compliance with laws, regulations, and management policies.

  4. 04

    Supervise auditing of establishments, and determine scope of investigation required.

  5. 05

    Inspect account books and accounting systems for efficiency, effectiveness, and use of accepted accounting procedures to record transactions.

  6. 06

    Examine and evaluate financial and information systems, recommending controls to ensure system reliability and data integrity.

  7. 07

    Confer with company officials about financial and regulatory matters.

  8. 08

    Inspect cash on hand, notes receivable and payable, negotiable securities, and canceled checks to confirm records are accurate.

Sponsored

Build the skills employers list for Accountants and Auditors

Online courses from licensed providers. We may earn a commission when you enroll. The commission does not influence our rankings or wage data.

Explore courses

Other metros in California

How the San Diego metro compares to other major California metro areas for accountants and auditors.

Frequently asked questions

What is the median salary for Accountants and Auditors in San Diego, California?
According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, the median annual wage for Accountants and Auditors in the San Diego metropolitan area is $93,430.
Does San Diego pay more than the California state average for Accountants and Auditors?
The San Diego metro median is -3.0% versus the California state median of $96,360.
How does San Diego compare to the national median for Accountants and Auditors?
The San Diego metro median is +10.7% versus the BLS national figure of $84,407.
What is the salary range for Accountants and Auditors in San Diego?
BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $59,750 and the 90th-percentile at $165,090 for the San Diego metro area.
What education is required for Accountants and Auditors?
BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Disclaimer

Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. BLS metro estimates reflect the San Diego CBSA boundary for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.