Career Atlas USA

Careers in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA

Part of California.

San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA’s regional price level is above the national average (index 111.887, where 100 = U.S. average, 2024 BEA data).

Unemployment rate: 4.4% · 1,567,556 people employed (2026-06, BLS LAUS, not seasonally adjusted).

Highest-Paying Careers

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  1. 1Cardiologists$493,670
  2. 2Psychiatrists$335,620
  3. 3Physicians, Pathologists$333,330
  4. 4Physicians, All Other$323,050
  5. 5Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers$321,950

Largest Occupations

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  1. 1Home Health and Personal Care Aides57,080 employed
  2. 2Fast Food and Counter Workers42,550 employed
  3. 3Retail Salespersons34,390 employed
  4. 4Cashiers30,420 employed
  5. 5Registered Nurses28,680 employed

Highest Concentration

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  1. 1Marriage and Family Therapists8.10× national avg
  2. 2Computer and Information Research Scientists4.56× national avg
  3. 3Computer Hardware Engineers4.39× national avg
  4. 4Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic4.26× national avg
  5. 5Communications Equipment Operators, All Other4.24× national avg

Best Purchasing Power

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cost-of-living adjusted

  1. 1Cardiologists$441,222
  2. 2Psychiatrists$299,963
  3. 3Physicians, Pathologists$297,917
  4. 4Physicians, All Other$288,729
  5. 5Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers$287,746

Sources

Wage and employment data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities. Unemployment rate: BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS). Opportunity Score isn’t available at the metro level yet — see California state page.