Cost of hiring a bookkeeper in San Diego-Chula Vista, CA
The median bookkeeper in San Diego-Chula Vista earned $58,580 a year in May 2025[1]. That is 15.6% above the US median of $50,670, even though it is 1.1% below the California statewide median of $59,230. Only 21 of 521 US areas pay more for this job. About 12,830 bookkeepers work here, 8% of the California total.
BLS occupation 43-3031, area San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA. Data from the May 2025 release, checked 2026-10-15.
Pay in San Diego-Chula Vista against California and the US
| Range | 10th | Median | 90th | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego-Chula Vista, CA | $40,220 | $58,580 | $82,350 | |
| California | $41,600 | $59,230 | $81,990 | |
| United States | $36,000 | $50,670 | $74,550 |
Bookkeepers at the 90th percentile earn $82,350, 2.0 times the 10th percentile; the US ratio is 2.1. The middle half of bookkeepers in San Diego-Chula Vista earns $48,940–$70,150.
What to budget for a bookkeeper here
| Point in the local range | Per year | Per month | Per hour | Employer cost per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $40,220 | $3,352 | $19.34 | $57,457 |
| 25th percentile | $48,940 | $4,078 | $23.53 | $69,914 |
| Median | $58,580 | $4,882 | $28.16 | $83,686 |
| 75th percentile | $70,150 | $5,846 | $33.73 | $100,214 |
| 90th percentile | $82,350 | $6,862 | $39.59 | $117,643 |
An offer at the 75th percentile instead of the median adds $11,570 a year in pay and about $16,529 in employer cost. Going down to the 25th percentile saves $9,640 in pay. These percentiles describe what people in the job earn locally, not experience levels, so place your offer by the tasks and seniority you need.
What a hire really costs in San Diego-Chula Vista
Pay is only part of it. Benefits and payroll taxes are 30.0% of total compensation in US private industry[2], which adds about $25,106 to the $58,580 median and brings it to $83,686 a year. Recruiting, equipment and office space come on top. Benefit levels vary by employer, so treat this as an estimate.
We place executive assistants, customer support and e-commerce staff today; for bookkeepers we answer within one business day whether we can help. Enter the monthly pay you have in mind to compare it with a local hire. The fee field shows our standard fee[3]; Deel's contractor plan is the default payroll tool[4].
Other roles in San Diego-Chula Vista
Of the 17 roles we track in San Diego-Chula Vista, this one ranks #10 by median pay. Project Coordinator is the highest at $117,460 and Data Entry Specialist the lowest at $43,770.
| Role | Median | vs bookkeeper | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project Coordinator | +100.5% | 10,740 | |
| Accountant | +64.5% | 13,450 | |
| Executive Assistant | +44.3% | 4,510 | |
| Recruiter | +38.8% | 9,110 | |
| Marketing Specialist | +35.6% | n/a | |
| Paralegal | +30.2% | 4,440 | |
| Office Manager | +29.9% | 11,780 | |
| Sales Development Representative | +27.4% | 11,730 | |
| Payroll Specialist | +8.9% | 1,840 | |
| Bookkeeper | this role | 12,830 | |
| HR Assistant | -4.7% | 1,240 | |
| Administrative Assistant | -5.5% | 12,070 | |
| Medical Administrative Assistant | -11.8% | 11,260 | |
| Customer Support Specialist | -16.8% | 14,030 | |
| E-commerce Order Specialist | -18.7% | 760 | |
| Virtual Receptionist | -24.2% | 6,690 | |
| Data Entry Specialist | -25.3% | 1,020 |
Other areas in California
Across the 28 areas of California with data for this job, the median runs from $47,960 in El Centro to $66,130 in San Jose-Sunnyvale, a gap of $18,170 a year.
| Area | Median | vs San Diego-Chula Vista | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | +2.7% | 1,900 | |
| Salinas, CA | +1.0% | 1,270 | |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA | +0.0% | 53,910 | |
| San Diego-Chula Vista, CA | this area | 12,830 | |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | -0.0% | 1,070 | |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks, CA | -1.6% | 3,250 | |
| Sacramento-Roseville, CA | -3.0% | 8,680 |
Questions
How much does it cost to hire a bookkeeper in San Diego-Chula Vista, CA?
About $83,686 a year at the median, or $6,974 a month: $58,580 in pay plus benefits and payroll taxes at the 30% share of total compensation in US private industry (June 2026). Recruiting, equipment and office space are extra.
What is the pay range for bookkeepers in San Diego-Chula Vista?
The median was $58,580 a year in the May 2025 BLS survey. The 10th percentile was $40,220, the 90th $82,350, and the middle half earned $48,940 to $70,150.
Is San Diego-Chula Vista cheaper than the rest of California for bookkeepers?
Yes, it costs less: a median of $58,580 against $59,230 statewide. San Jose-Sunnyvale pays the most ($66,130) and El Centro the least ($47,960).
How many bookkeepers work in San Diego-Chula Vista?
BLS counts about 12,830 in the May 2025 survey. That is 8% of the California total of 151,870.
Does a bookkeeper cost more than an HR assistant in San Diego-Chula Vista?
Yes: $2,750 a year more at the median. The medians are $58,580 and $55,830.
Sources
- BLS OEWS May 2025, 43-3031: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes433031.htm
- BLS Employer Costs for Employee Compensation, private industry, June 2026: https://www.bls.gov/news.release/ecec.nr0.htm
- Silkstaff pricing: https://silkstaff.com/#pricing
- Deel pricing, contractor management: https://www.deel.com/pricing/
How these pages are built: methodology and data sources. Last updated 2026-11-06.