Marketing specialist pay in San Diego, CA
Marketing specialists in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area earn a typical $79,440 a year. The middle half earn $57,660 to $116,160, and the top 10% earn more than $162,860.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (occupation: Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists, SOC 13-1161).
Pay range
| Bottom 10% earn less than | $42,700 |
| 25th percentile | $57,660 |
| Median (typical) | $79,440 |
| 75th percentile | $116,160 |
| Top 10% earn more than | $162,860 |
Typical pay here ranks No. 16 of 50 large metros for marketing specialists before taxes and prices.
After taxes and cost of living
At the typical $79,440, a single filer keeps about $61,600 a year after federal, Social Security, Medicare, and California state income tax. Prices in San Diego are 12% above the US average, so that take-home buys what $55,000 would in a typical US city. That ranks San Diego No. 42 of 50 large metros for marketing specialists after cost of living.
Where marketing specialists’ pay goes furthest
- San Jose, CA$141,960 typical · worth $90k
- San Francisco, CA$123,250 typical · worth $76.4k
- Seattle, WA$102,170 typical · worth $72.6k
- Denver, CO$99,040 typical · worth $70.7k
All 50 metros for marketing specialists →
Where does your salary land?
Add your salary and experience to see your percentile among marketing specialists in San Diego. Free and private. (Different city? Use the main checker.) 1 employer here filed pay above the typical rate in government filings; your check shows how many pay more than you.
Common questions
How much does a marketing specialist make in San Diego, CA?
The typical (median) marketing specialist in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area earns $79,440 a year. The middle half earn between $57,660 and $116,160, and the top 10% earn more than $162,860. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
What is a good salary for a marketing specialist in San Diego?
Anything above $79,440 pays more than half of marketing specialists in San Diego. $116,160 or more puts you in the top quarter, and $162,860 in the top 10%. Experience and employer move where you should be in that range.
How much does a marketing specialist in San Diego take home after taxes?
At the typical $79,440, a single filer keeps about $61,600 a year ($5,130 a month) after federal, Social Security, Medicare, California state income tax. With local prices 12% above the US average, that buys what $55,000 would in a typical US city.
Where do marketing specialists get paid the most after cost of living?
Among the 50 largest US metros, typical marketing specialist pay goes furthest after taxes and prices in San Jose, CA, San Francisco, CA, Seattle, WA. San Diego, CA ranks No. 42.
More: Marketing specialist pay in every large metro · Pay for other jobs in San Diego, CA
Local prices: BEA regional price parities, 2024. Updated November 2026.