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Skilled trade pay in San Diego, CA

San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro · BLS, May 2025

39trades with pay data
+12%local prices vs. U.S.
$2,3351-bed rent / month
4.6%unemployment, 2025
26 minaverage commute
11,707new homes permitted, 2025

New homes permitted Government data

New-home permits in San Diego are up 17% from 2021 to 2025 (10,048 → 11,707). Permits are a sign of construction activity, not a count of open jobs.

10,0482021
9,3462022
11,4692023
11,5722024
11,7072025

Census Building Permits Survey, annual 2021–2025.

Highest-paying trades

Elevator Installer$140,250
Electrical Lineworker$120,870
Building Inspector$98,580
Telecom Line Installer$96,580
Construction Supervisor$95,850
Heavy Equipment Operator$83,670
Sheet Metal Worker$80,080
Telecom Equipment Installer$76,970
Ironworker$76,400
Drywall Installer$76,290
Electrician$76,160
Diesel Mechanic$75,070

All 39 trades

Click a column to sort. Jobs are employment estimates, not open positions.

TradeMedian payJobsU.S. rank
Elevator Installer$140,250170#6
Electrical Lineworker$120,870740#39
Building Inspector$98,5801,330#17
Telecom Line Installer$96,580660#28
Construction Supervisor$95,8507,000#43
Heavy Equipment Operator$83,6703,130#30
Sheet Metal Worker$80,0801,480#31
Telecom Equipment Installer$76,9701,030#47
Ironworker$76,400740#46
Drywall Installer$76,2903,220#10
Electrician$76,1608,060#102
Diesel Mechanic$75,0701,430#19
HVAC Technician$74,8803,210#35
Carpenter$73,2008,710#36
Rebar Worker$73,110200#4
Plumber$72,5105,100#106
Rigger$72,030340#23
Industrial Machinery Mechanic$67,4802,230#134
Concrete Finisher$66,5302,330#37
Glazier$65,150840#22
Paving Equipment Operator$64,870110#23
Auto Mechanic$64,3204,910#8
Brickmason$63,280260#74
Auto Body Repairer$62,6401,010#20
Welder$62,5602,940#34
Roofer$62,1801,830#38
Machinist$61,4202,180#70
Solar Installer$61,340550#10
Plasterer$61,080520#23
Tile Setter$58,240910#41
Construction Laborer$57,1808,850#59
Flooring Installer$56,150450#33
Painter$55,9704,040#71
Maintenance Technician$54,53012,350#68
Hazmat Removal Worker$51,790670#39
Pest Control Technician$47,4701,230#36
Septic & Sewer Technician$47,300340#107
Appliance Repair Technician$45,590360#102
Landscaper$45,56010,870#35

Pay: BLS OEWS, May 2025 (metro-level). Real pay: BEA price parities, 2024. How we calculate

Nearby metros

El CentroCALIFORNIA · CA$70,59582 miles away · typical trade pay
Los AngelesCALIFORNIA · CA$63,560111 miles away · typical trade pay
RiversideCALIFORNIA · CA$61,705111 miles away · typical trade pay
OxnardCALIFORNIA · CA$62,995164 miles away · typical trade pay
YumaARIZONA · AZ$54,270167 miles away · typical trade pay

See every metro in California.

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