Accountant Salary

San Diego vs Oxnard: Accountant Salary (2026)

Compare accountant salaries between San Diego, CA and Oxnard, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

San Diego, CA
$98,854
$47.53/hr
Oxnard, CA
$92,698
$44.57/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSan Diego, CAOxnard, CA
Median Salary$98,854$92,698
Hourly Rate$47.53$44.57
Entry Level (P10)$64,152$61,053
25th Percentile$78,692$75,480
75th Percentile$128,457$118,453
Top Earner (P90)$161,836$144,772
Total Employed13,4502,530
Side-by-side bar chart comparing San Diego ($98,854) and Oxnard ($92,698) accountant salaries.San DiegoOxnardMedian Salary$98,854$92,698Entry Level (P10)$64,152$61,053Top Earner (P90)$161,836$144,772US Median $85,864

Verdict

San Diego, CA offers better overall compensation for accountants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Oxnard.

The salary gap between San Diego and Oxnard is $6,156 (6.64%). San Diego's median is +15.13% compared to the US national median of $85,864.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in San Diego spans $97,684,Oxnard spans $83,719. San Diego has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

San Diego
P10 (Entry)$64,152
P25$78,692
Median$98,854
P75$128,457
P90 (Top)$161,836
Oxnard
P10 (Entry)$61,053
P25$75,480
Median$92,698
P75$118,453
P90 (Top)$144,772

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Diego ($88,352 effective) pays 5.35% more than Oxnard ($83,864 effective).

San Diego
Nominal: $98,854
CoL Index: 111.887
Adjusted: $88,352
Oxnard
Nominal: $92,698
CoL Index: 110.534
Adjusted: $83,864

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose San Diego if…

  • Higher median salary ($98,854/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($161,836)
  • Larger job market (13,450 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $88,352)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Oxnard if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, accountant salaries in San Diego grew 28.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 20.7% growth in Oxnard over the same period.

San Diego, CA

+28.6%

$74,940 (2019) → $96,340 (2025)

Oxnard, CA

+20.7%

$74,850 (2019) → $90,340 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays accountants more: San Diego or Oxnard?

San Diego has a higher median accountant salary at $98,854/year, compared to Oxnard at $92,698/year — a difference of $6,156 (6.64%).

What is the hourly rate difference between San Diego and Oxnard?

San Diego accountants earn $47.53/hr while Oxnard hygienists earn $44.57/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from San Diego to Oxnard as a accountant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing San Diego and Oxnard. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: San Diego = $88,352, Oxnard = $83,864), job availability (13,450 vs 2,530 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level accountants earn in San Diego vs Oxnard?

Entry-level (10th percentile) accountants earn $64,152 in San Diego and $61,053 in Oxnard. The San Diego area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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Written by Sofia Patel, CPA

Career Analyst

Sofia Patel has over 10 years of experience in financial analysis. She specializes in tax preparation for small businesses. She has worked in both corporate and public accounting environments.

Clinically reviewed by Liam Chen, CMAData verified by Amina Khan, MBA

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.61% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Sofia Patel, CPA, a licensed accountant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov