Retail salesperson pay in San Diego, CA
Retail salespeople in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area earn a typical $37,810 a year. The middle half earn $36,270 to $45,020, and the top 10% earn more than $49,320. About 34,390 people do this job there.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (occupation: Retail Salespersons, SOC 41-2031).
Pay range
| Bottom 10% earn less than | $35,470 |
| 25th percentile | $36,270 |
| Median (typical) | $37,810 |
| 75th percentile | $45,020 |
| Top 10% earn more than | $49,320 |
Typical pay here ranks No. 7 of 50 large metros for retail salespeople before taxes and prices.
After taxes and cost of living
At the typical $37,810, a single filer keeps about $32,100 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 $28,600 would in a typical US city. That ranks San Diego No. 24 of 50 large metros for retail salespeople after cost of living.
Where retail salespeople’ pay goes furthest
- San Jose, CA$44,220 typical · worth $33.5k
- Seattle, WA$42,080 typical · worth $32.4k
- San Francisco, CA$43,850 typical · worth $31.7k
- Kansas City, MO$34,320 typical · worth $31.1k
All 50 metros for retail salespeople →
Where does your salary land?
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Common questions
How much does a retail salesperson make in San Diego, CA?
The typical (median) retail salesperson in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area earns $37,810 a year. The middle half earn between $36,270 and $45,020, and the top 10% earn more than $49,320. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
What is a good salary for a retail salesperson in San Diego?
Anything above $37,810 pays more than half of retail salespeople in San Diego. $45,020 or more puts you in the top quarter, and $49,320 in the top 10%. Experience and employer move where you should be in that range.
How much does a retail salesperson in San Diego take home after taxes?
At the typical $37,810, a single filer keeps about $32,100 a year ($2,670 a month) after federal, Social Security, Medicare, California state income tax. With local prices 12% above the US average, that buys what $28,600 would in a typical US city.
Where do retail salespeople get paid the most after cost of living?
Among the 50 largest US metros, typical retail salesperson pay goes furthest after taxes and prices in San Jose, CA, Seattle, WA, San Francisco, CA. San Diego, CA ranks No. 24.
More: Retail salesperson pay in every large metro · Pay for other jobs in San Diego, CA
Local prices: BEA regional price parities, 2024. Updated November 2026.