Salary distribution
Where San Diego chief executives fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $155,810 and $387,130, with a median of $238,440.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
5 years or more
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.8 / 5
Administration and Management
Knowledge
- 4.8 / 5
Judgment and Decision Making
Technical
- 4.6 / 5
Oral Comprehension
Ability
- 4.5 / 5
Oral Expression
Ability
- 4.5 / 5
Personnel and Human Resources
Knowledge
- 4.4 / 5
English Language
Knowledge
- 4.4 / 5
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge
- 4.4 / 5
Critical Thinking
Cross-functional
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Direct or coordinate an organization's financial or budget activities to fund operations, maximize investments, or increase efficiency.
- 02
Confer with board members, organization officials, or staff members to discuss issues, coordinate activities, or resolve problems.
- 03
Prepare budgets for approval, including those for funding or implementation of programs.
- 04
Direct, plan, or implement policies, objectives, or activities of organizations or businesses to ensure continuing operations, to maximize returns on investments, or to increase productivity.
- 05
Prepare or present reports concerning activities, expenses, budgets, government statutes or rulings, or other items affecting businesses or program services.
- 06
Implement corrective action plans to solve organizational or departmental problems.
- 07
Direct or coordinate activities of businesses or departments concerned with production, pricing, sales, or distribution of products.
- 08
Analyze operations to evaluate performance of a company or its staff in meeting objectives or to determine areas of potential cost reduction, program improvement, or policy change.
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Explore coursesOther metros in California
How the San Diego metro compares to other major California metro areas for chief executives.
- San Francisco$288,690
- Los Angeles$234,290
- Riverside$176,700
- Sacramento$169,770
- San Jose—
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Chief Executives in San Diego, California?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, the median annual wage for Chief Executives in the San Diego metropolitan area is $238,440.
- Does San Diego pay more than the California state average for Chief Executives?
- The San Diego metro median is +9.1% versus the California state median of $218,600.
- How does San Diego compare to the national median for Chief Executives?
- The San Diego metro median is +10.4% versus the BLS national figure of $215,955.
- What is the salary range for Chief Executives in San Diego?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $85,510 and the 90th-percentile at $493,480 for the San Diego metro area.
- What education is required for Chief Executives?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
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.