San Diego Hi-Tech Salaries Why So Low? (Sacramento: rent, houses)

[blauskies]

Why are salaries in High Tech work in San Diego so low? On average I'm seeing $50-60K for some Engineering jobs, a few paying more but the average is quite low for a high COL area.

I really want to leave Miami and move to a warm climate instead of going back up North where I can make good coin but having to deal with the winters, San Diego weather is ideal but I don't see myself be able to survive on the average salaries there after Sacramento takes it's 10% cut.

I thought Florida was bad for salaries, but San Diego seems to take the cake on that one.

[scratchNsniff]

Simply because they can. There are so many people out here that just want to be here because it's "paradise" that somebody will cave and take the job at a lower price.

[Clevelandgal]

^exactly. No COL adjustments going on here. Sorry for the bad news.

[Mach50]

Sunshine tax - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

You really answered your own question (hint: you're not alone).

[1AngryTaxPayer]

We get a hundred applications for each job offer.

[blauskies]

I know, I heard of the Sunshine Tax before. Florida was always noted for this, but in some parts of Florida the COL is low and you can survive on less caveat being there are no jobs there lol. South Florida though, not the case. Salaries seem to have gotten better here over the years, I still see some companies paying terrible salaries for requirements that would pay $30 or $40K more elsewhere. There just isn't enough tech here to make it competitive. I expected with San Diego and the amount there and with the Bay Area being higher paying, would bump up the salaries guess I was wrong. Must be why Nokia has so many jobs listed, they must not be paying much?

That whole move and bask in the weather only can go on for so long, sooner or later when you can't make the rent or fix the car, it will hit you like a ton of bricks.

[blauskies]

This is probably a repost, but it's old and the song remains the same it say's the Sunshine Tax is a myth based on not having enough houses and low paying jobs in the service and tourism industries, hmmm sounds like Florida but worse.


Getting By: An Envision San Diego Documentary - YouTube

[futbol]

'High Tech' work is not all the same.

What kind of job skills are required for the type of position that you are considering?

You can make almost or more than double that figure in some high tech work here, depending on experience, and there are jobs that are available.

[CAVA1990]

Aren't nearly all the high tech jobs there government related? Doesn't seem like there's much in the way of commercial business to bid up salaries.

[blauskies]

Originally Posted by futbol

'High Tech' work is not all the same.

What kind of job skills are required for the type of position that you are considering?

You can make almost or more than double that figure in some high tech work here, depending on experience, and there are jobs that are available.

A lot of skills they vary from job to job, to get a feel just go on Indeed and look at the salary levels in the bottom lower left. I know it's somewhat accurate because I got the "what is your salary requirements?" during several screening calls from very interested companies only to hear dead air on the other end when I told them. Then after that a few more words and okay, we will be in touch for a follow-up interview and possible on-site interview which never happens.

Engineer Jobs, Employment in San Diego, CA | Indeed.com

Number of jobs listed and salaries.

San Diego Area

Salary Estimate

$40,000+ (3414)
$60,000+ (2311)
$80,000+ (749)
$100,000+ (294)
$120,000+ (104)


San Fransisco Area

Salary Estimate

$60,000+ (8911)
$80,000+ (6234)
$100,000+ (2578)
$120,000+ (1016)
$140,000+ (407)