Animal Breeders pay range in San Diego
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $57,900 a year or less, while the top 10% make $94,460 or more. The middle half of animal breeders in San Diego earn between $57,900 and $94,450.
- $58K10th
- $58K25th
- $69KMedian
- $94K75th
- $94K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $74,080 | $6,173 | $35.62 |
| Median | $69,070 | $5,756 | $33.21 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $57,900 | $4,825 | $27.84 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $94,450 | $7,871 | $45.41 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Animal Breeders pay in San Diego vs. California and the U.S.
Animal breeders in San Diego earn 11% more than the California average ($66,550) and 30% more than the U.S. average ($57,010). At the median the gap is +35% against the U.S. median of $51,130.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego | $74,080 | $69,070 | $57,900 | $94,460 | n/a |
| California | $66,550 | $59,280 | $47,400 | $94,450 | 410 |
| United States | $57,010 | $51,130 | $38,480 | $90,550 | 1,330 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Animal Breeders salary after taxes in San Diego
On the average salary of $74,080, a single filer in San Diego takes home about $58,091 a year, or $4,841 a month and $2,234 every two weeks. Taxes take 22% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
Is San Diego a good place for animal breeders? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the San Diego area are 12% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 111.9), so the average $74,080 buys what about $66,210 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.2 times the median wage of all jobs in San Diego ($58,690). A typical home costs $946,365, or 12.8 years of this average salary before tax.
Animal Breeders salary in other California cities
San Diego ranks 1st of 2 California metro areas for this job, the best-paid in the state.
- San Diego$74,080
- Los Angeles$58,580
Highest-paying cities for animal breeders
San Diego, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($74,080).
- San Diego, CA$74,080
- Los Angeles, CA$58,580
- New York, NY$57,390
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Animal Breeders salary in San Diego: questions
How much do animal breeders make an hour in San Diego?
$35.62 an hour on average, and $33.21 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level animal breeders salary in San Diego?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $57,900 a year and the 25th percentile is $57,900, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the animal breeders take-home pay in San Diego?
About $58,091 a year ($4,841 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $74,080. California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
Do animal breeders earn more in San Diego than elsewhere?
The average here is 30% more than the U.S. average for this job ($57,010).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 45-2021; area San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA (41740). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 8.7%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
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