Bookkeeper salary in San Diego, CA
Median pay, San Diego metro
$58,580/year
about $28.16 an hour full-time
Middle half earns $48,940 – $70,150
Half of bookkeepers in the San Diego metro area earn more than $58,580 a year and half earn less. That's 16% higher than the national median of $50,670, and ranks #8 of the 30 big metro areas we track for this job.
Pay range
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $40,220 | $19.34 |
| 25th | $48,940 | $23.53 |
| Median (50th) | $58,580 | $28.16 |
| 75th | $70,150 | $33.73 |
| 90th (top earners) | $82,350 | $39.59 |
*Yearly pay divided by 2,080 hours (40 hours × 52 weeks), the full-time basis BLS uses.
Is your offer fair?
For a bookkeeper job in the San Diego metro area, here's how an offer compares:
- Below market under $48,940 ($23.53/hr). Fine for a first job in the field, otherwise worth negotiating.
- Typical $48,940 to $70,150 ($23.53 to $33.73/hr). The middle half of what people in this job earn.
- Strong offer over $70,150 ($33.73/hr). Higher than three quarters of workers here.
Before you accept
- Ask which software you'd use (QuickBooks, Xero, NetSuite). Experience with it can support a higher offer.
- Full-charge bookkeepers who handle everything through month-end close usually earn more than clerks.
- Part-time and contract bookkeeping is common, so compare by hourly rate.
Also watch for the common warning signs in the posting itself: 15 job posting red flags.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025, San Diego metro. Occupation: Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks (SOC 43-3031). Figures cover wage and salary workers and don't include bonuses, benefits or overtime.