Entry-level Systems Engineer / Architect salary in San Diego, CA
Based on 37 certified H-1B filings at DOL wage level I in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes Carlsbad, Poway, Vista, San Marcos, Escondido.
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $60,000 |
| 25th | $62,400 |
| 50th (median) | $64,272 |
| 75th | $70,699 |
| 90th | $101,740 |
Salary by year
Median salary
Filings per year
Show as table
| Fiscal year | Median | P25 | P75 | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2020 | $63,419 | $60,000 | $70,000 | 21 |
| FY2021 | $66,780 | $55,964 | $83,779 | 14 |
| FY2022 | $67,500 | $61,859 | $77,000 | 21 |
| FY2023 | – | – | – | 3 |
| FY2024 | $62,400 | $60,715 | $70,078 | 20 |
| FY2025 | $62,400 | $62,400 | $64,272 | 25 |
| FY2026 | $68,536 | $64,459 | $112,950 | 12 |
Cost of living
San Diego's median entry-level Systems Engineer / Architect salary of $64,272 is worth about $57,400 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; San Diego = 111.9).
Compared with all workers here
All Computer Systems Engineers/Architects in the San Diego, CA area earned a median of $127,600 in May 2025 (7,340 employed). The H-1B median here is $64,272, 50% lower.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS metropolitan area estimates. BLS wages include some incentive pay; H-1B figures are base salary.
Employers filing at this level
| Employer | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| California Creative Solutions | $62,400 | 11 |
| BTI Solutions | $64,459 | 10 |
| ArborSys Group | too few | 2 |
Employers with at least 2 filings here. Median shown at 10+ filings.
By experience level
| Wage level | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | $64,272 | 37 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $92,622 | 129 |
| Senior · Level III | $129,600 | 87 |
| Expert · Level IV | $148,928 | 137 |
Median shown when a level has at least 10 filings.
Minimum H-1B salary by level
| Wage level | Prevailing wage (most common) | Median offered salary | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | $53,123 | $64,272 | 37 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $81,058 | $92,622 | 129 |
| Senior · Level III | $108,971 | $129,600 | 87 |
| Expert · Level IV | $136,906 | $148,928 | 137 |
The prevailing wage is the minimum an employer must pay for this job and area. Amounts vary by county within a metro and by wage source.