Utility Pages
Retail · San Diego, CA

Cashier Salary in San Diego, CA (2026)

Median Cashier salary in San Diego is approximately $35,100/year — 21.0% above the US national average.

Salary breakdown — San Diego

$35,100
median annual salary
Hourly (40 hr/week, 52 wk)
2,080 hours/year
$17
Biweekly (26 paychecks)
$1,350
Monthly
$2,925
Annual (gross)
$35,100
vs California state average
State avg: $34,200
+$900
vs US national
National median: $29,000
+$6,100

After-tax estimate

$25,746
estimated take-home/year
Gross salary
$35,100
Federal tax (~14%)
−$4,914
FICA (7.65%)
−$2,685
California state tax
~5% effective
−$1,755
Estimated take-home
$25,746
Monthly take-home
$2,145
For exact take-home, use our San Diego Paycheck Calculator.
Cashier salary in similar-cost cities
CityCost mult.Estimated annualvs San Diego
Los Angeles, CA1.22×$35,400+$300
Boston, MA1.22×$35,400+$300
Yonkers, NY1.20×$34,800-$300
Anchorage, AK1.20×$34,800-$300
Seattle, WA1.18×$34,200-$900
Other Retail jobs in San Diego
Retail Manager
$58,100/yr

Cashier salaries in San Diego, CA

The estimated median Cashier salary in San Diego, California is $35,100/year, working out to approximately $17/hour at full-time, $1,350 per biweekly paycheck, or $2,925/month before taxes. San Diego's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.21× national reflects local prices, housing costs, and employer concentration in this metro area.

Take-home pay in San Diego

Of the gross $35,100, you take home roughly $25,746 after:

  • Federal income tax (~14% effective at this income)
  • FICA — Social Security 6.2% + Medicare 1.45% = 7.65%
  • California state income tax (~5% effective)
  • San Diego has no local income tax

That works out to about $2,145/month after-tax — useful for budgeting rent (typically 25–35% of net income), savings (15–20% target), and other expenses. For an exact calculation including 401(k), HSA, and your filing status, use our San Diego Paycheck Calculator.

What affects your actual pay

  • Experience: entry-level often 25–35% below median; senior roles 40–60%+ above.
  • Specific employer: top-tier employers in San Diego pay 10–25% above market for the same role.
  • Industry: a Software Engineer at a tech company in San Diego typically out-earns one at a non-tech employer.
  • Negotiation: simply negotiating an offer can shift comp by 5–15%.
  • Education and credentials: degrees and licenses (especially for healthcare, legal, engineering) can move comp by 15–30%.
  • Remote vs in-office: many San Diego employers now base pay on cost of living, with remote workers in cheaper metros paid less.

Related calculators

Cashier Salary in California — state-level average. Salary Calculator — convert hourly ↔ annual. San Diego Paycheck Calculator — exact take-home. Income Tax Calculator — federal tax with brackets. Investment Calculator — long-term portfolio growth.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the median Cashier salary in San Diego?▾
The estimated median Cashier salary in San Diego, California is $35,100 per year, or approximately $17/hour at standard full-time. San Diego sits 21.0% above the US national average for this role.
San Diego vs California state — what's the salary difference?▾
San Diego: $35,100. California state average for Cashier: $34,200. Difference: +$900 (2.6%). City-level pay typically reflects the metro area's cost of living and concentration of employers.
Does San Diego have a city income tax?▾
No, San Diego has no separate city income tax. Only federal income tax, FICA, and California state tax apply (roughly 5% effective state rate at this income).
Does this account for cost-of-living differences?▾
Yes — the city multiplier reflects San Diego's cost of living relative to the US average. San Diego's multiplier is 1.21× national. For comparison: San Francisco ~1.45×, NYC ~1.32×, mid-tier metros ~1.00×, low-cost metros ~0.85–0.90×. Higher local cost generally means employers pay more to attract talent.
What's the after-tax take-home for Cashier in San Diego?▾
Estimate: $25,746/year after federal income tax (~14% effective), FICA (7.65%), California state tax (~5.0% effective), and San Diego local tax (0.00%). For exact numbers, use the San Diego Paycheck Calculator with your specific 401(k) and deductions.