Workforce Insights: San Diego, CA

2025 This report provides a detailed overview of salary ranges, employment figures, and workforce trends for key industrial roles, offering insights into local hiring landscapes. It supports employers and HR professionals in workforce planning and salary benchmarking by highlighting regional dynamics and industry-specific data. INDUSTRIAL STAFFING Workforce Insights: San Diego, CA Salaries, Employment Trends, and Key Industry Data Low End Market Mean High End # of employees Production Operator $20.98 $23.59 $26.90 1,698 Assembler $21.87 $25.74 $30.01 9,865 Electro-mechanical Assembler $23.77 $28.20 $32.77 4,553 Material Handler $22.58 $31.35 $29.99 25,226 Warehouse Associate $22.25 $25.40 $29.33 25,226 Packer Shipper $21.02 $22.86 $26.04 7,542 Forklift Operator $23.30 $27.20 $31.41 3,196 CNC Operator $28.50 $30.96 $36.37 1,563 Welder $28.01 $33.51 $39.57 2,890 Manufacturing Associate/Technician $23.04 $26.40 $29.77 1,698 Maintenance Technician $25.68 $29.90 $34.23 14,278 Facilities Specialist $28.33 $32.51 $36.95 14,278 Test Technician $27.62 $32.54 $37.83 2,289 Quality Inspector $25.16 $29.81 $34.64 5,705 Quality Assurance Inspector $21.88 $25.75 $30.05 5,705 Production Supervisor $33.87 $40.25 $47.59 4,356 Process Engineer $41.16 $49.85 $59.71 3,101 Production Assistant $28.61 $33.48 $38.90 4,889 Service Technician $31.77 $37.24 $43.32 5,691 The salaries listed are estimates and may vary based on experience, location, and industry demand. Based on ERI data; values represent the 10th, Mean, and 90th percentiles.

● Household Spending: San Diego households spend $91,204/year, with housing consuming 37.9% (~$34,554/year ≈ $2,880/month) vs. 33.1% nationally. ● Living Wage: A family of four needs $35.72/hour per adult (~$148,594/year before taxes) to meet basic needs in San Diego County. ● Rent Burden: About 43.4% of households are cost-burdened, paying ≥30% of income toward housing. ● Housing Wage: To afford a 2-bedroom at FY 2025 HUD FMR ($2,881/month), workers must earn $54.48/hour full-time. Why that impacts salary: Pay must reflect real living costs, if companies want to attract and retain talent. Cost of Living Insights Federal Overtime Tax Deduction (2025–2028) ● Workers can now deduct up to $12,500 (single) or $25,000 (joint) of overtime earnings from federal taxable income. ● Applies to tax years 2025 through 2028. ● Especially relevant in overtime-heavy industries like manufacturing. Why that impacts salary: Employers may face less pressure for base wage increases. Captive Audience Meeting Bans (multi-state trend) ● Laws now prohibit employers from forcing workers to attend anti-union or political meetings. ● States with bans include CA, NY, IL, OR, WA (and momentum is spreading). ● Reduces employers’ ability to influence workers during union campaigns. Why that impacts salary: Union drives typically result in higher negotiated wage floors. MMEDS Act ● A 2025 bill (H.R. 3042) proposes tax credits for wages, benefits, and facilities. ● Targets distressed zones to encourage onshore med-device manufacturing. ● Designed to reduce reliance on overseas supply chains. Why that impacts salary: Creates wage competition for specialized med-device workers. Legislation Insights ● Manufacturing makes up about 1 in 10 private-sector jobs in the region. ● San Diego’s manufacturing ecosystem is highly fragmented and competitive. Why that impacts salary: Smaller companies competing with larger employers must offer competitive pay to secure talent. San Diego Insights California Minimum Wage & Exempt Thresholds ● As of Jan 1, 2025, CA’s minimum wage increased to $16.50/hour. ● The exempt salary threshold also rose to $68,640/year (≈ $5,720/month). ● Roles below this threshold cannot legally be classified as exempt. ● Employers must decide to reclassify positions or increase salaries. Why that impacts salary: Raises entry-level pay floors and compresses pay bands upward. Wage Insights Request A Custom Salary Guide