Salary Data
Computer Vision Engineer Salary in San Diego
$211,000
median salary, 17% above the national average
According to Orbit's 2026 salary analysis, the average Computer Vision Engineer salary in San Diego is $211,000. Salaries range from $158,000 (25th percentile) to $275,000 (75th percentile), adjusted for San Diego's cost of living.
Salary range
How San Diego compares
San Diego, CA
$211,000
Cost of living: 17% above average
National Average
$180,000
San Diego is $31,000 above
Computer Vision Engineer job market in San Diego
San Diego market overview
San Diego's economy thrives on defense, biotech, and a growing tech startup scene. The city's proximity to major military installations drives strong aerospace and cybersecurity demand. Biotech companies along the Torrey Pines corridor compete aggressively for scientific and engineering talent, pushing specialized salaries close to Bay Area levels.
What drives Computer Vision Engineer salaries
Expertise in specific application domains (autonomous vehicles, medical imaging, manufacturing inspection) drives the largest salary variation. Engineers who can deploy real time inference systems with strict latency requirements earn more. Experience with 3D vision, video understanding, and edge device optimization commands significant premiums over basic image classification skills.
Beyond base salary
Total compensation
Equity at autonomous vehicle and robotics companies can add $40,000 to $150,000+ annually. Bonuses of 15 to 25% are standard. Signing bonuses of $30,000 to $80,000 are common. Benefits frequently include access to specialized hardware, conference sponsorship, and patent filing bonuses.
Tax considerations in San Diego
California's top 13.3% state tax applies here. While San Diego has no city income tax, the state burden means you should negotiate gross pay higher than you might expect for the cost of living.
Career progression
Junior CV engineers start at $120,000 to $150,000, reaching mid level at $160,000 to $205,000 in two to three years. Senior CV engineers earn $205,000 to $275,000. Staff engineers and research leads at companies like Waymo or in medical imaging can exceed $400,000 in total compensation.
Top industries in San Diego
Negotiating in San Diego
Leverage defense and biotech sector demand. Candidates with security clearances or specialized science backgrounds can command 15 to 20% premiums in San Diego.