The 15 Biggest Companies in San Diego: Leaders, Revenue & Impact
San Diego isn’t just known for its beaches, biotech, and sunshine — it’s also home to a powerhouse lineup of some of America’s most influential companies.
From global tech leaders like Qualcomm and Illumina, to billion-dollar utility providers like Sempra Energy, and cutting-edge defense and healthcare innovators, San Diego’s corporate ecosystem is one of the most diverse and dynamic in the U.S.
These companies don’t just generate billions in revenue — they shape industries, create tens of thousands of local jobs, and drive the city’s reputation as a hub for innovation, sustainability, and future-facing technology.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the 15 biggest companies headquartered in San Diego, diving into:
- Who leads them (CEOs and founders)
- What they do
- Their latest revenue and market value
- Their broader impact on the local economy and global stage
Whether you’re an investor, job seeker, B2B service provider, or simply curious about the giants shaping the city, this list will give you real insight into the corporate backbone of San Diego — and a look at some rising stars, including one of the region’s most exciting up-and-coming firms: The Sales Angels.
Let’s dive in.
1. Qualcomm
Industry: Wireless semiconductors & telecom
CEO: Cristiano Amon (since 2021)
2024 Revenue: ~$39 billion, Market Cap: ~$162 billion
Description: With 50,000 employees worldwide, Qualcomm leads the global push in 5G, smartphone chips, and wireless tech .
2. Sempra
Industry: Utilities (natural gas & power)
CEO: Jeffrey W. Martin
2024 Revenue: ~$16.7 billion; Fortune 500 #246
Description: Parent of SDG&E and SoCalGas, Sempra serves ~40 million customers and earned $2.82 billion net profit in 2024 .
3. LPL Financial Holdings
Industry: Wealth management
CEO: (Not listed in sources)
2024 Revenue: ~$10 billion; Fortune 500 #392
Description: Offers advisor-driven investment services across the U.S. Headquarters in San Diego.
4. Illumina
Industry: Biotechnology & genomic sequencing
CEO: Francis deSouza
Revenue: ~$4.5 billion (2023)
Description: Global leader in DNA sequencing instruments. Co-founder Jay T. Flatley holds ~$350 million net worth .
5. California Bank & Trust
Industry: Banking & financial services
CEO: Eric Ellingsen
Assets: ~$91 billion
Description: Subsidiary of Zions Bancorporation with 80+ branches in California .
6. Sharp HealthCare
Industry: Healthcare & hospitals
President: Christopher Howard
Revenue: ~$3.5 billion (FY 2016)
Description: Operates acute & specialty hospitals with ~19,000 employees .
7. ResMed
Industry: Medical devices / healthtech
Revenue: ~$3–4 billion
Description: Known for sleep apnea and ventilation technology. Over 5,000 employees .
8. Teradata
Industry: Data analytics
Revenue: ~$1.75 billion
Employees: ~5,700
Description: Provides enterprise analytics and database software.
9. VMware (San Diego division)
Industry: Cloud computing, virtualization
Revenue: ~$10.9 billion (global)
Description: Offers virtualization platform and cloud offerings from local offices.
10. Gen Dynamics NASSCO
Industry: Shipbuilding & defense
Description: Builds and maintains naval vessels at San Diego’s largest shipyard .
11. Kratos Defense & Security
Industry: Defense & security tech
Revenue: ~$748 million
Employees: ~2,000
Description: Supplies mission-critical defense systems to military and government .
12. Arena Pharmaceuticals
Industry: Biotech/pharmaceuticals
Revenue: ~$319 k
Employees: ~200
Description: Focuses on cardiovascular and metabolic disease treatments .
13. Scripps Health
Industry: Healthcare system
Revenue: $1–5 billion
Employees: 10,000+
Description: Non-profit network including hospitals, clinics, telehealth, and research .
14. Petco Health & Wellness
Industry: Retail/pet products & services
Revenue: $1–5 billion
Employees: 10,000+
Description: Offers pet supplies, services, and wellness through national stores .
15. Jack in the Box
Industry: Fast-casual restaurant chain
Revenue: $1–5 billion
Employees: 10,000+
Description: Founded in San Diego (1951), it now franchises across U.S. offering burgers, tacos, breakfast .
📈 Notable Wealthy Leaders from San Diego:
- Robert Pera – Founder/CEO of Ubiquiti Networks; net worth ≈ $12.6 billion en.wikipedia.org.
- Ryan Graves – First CEO of Uber and current CEO of Saltwater; from San Diego thelocalnews.app+6en.wikipedia.org+6indeed.com+6.
- Henry Samueli – Co‑founder & Chairman of Broadcom; net worth ≈ $25.3 billion en.wikipedia.org+1investopedia.com+1.
- Jay T. Flatley – Exec Chairman of Illumina; net worth ≈ $340–350 million sdbj.com+2sdbj.com+2sdbj.com+2.
- Charles Brandes – Billionaire investor, founder of Brandes Investment Partners sdbj.com.
- Fred Luddy – Founder of ServiceNow; net worth ≈ $1.1 billion sdbj.com.
- Steve Wagner – Co‑founder of Stone Brewing Co.; net worth ≈ $350 million sdbj.com.
🚀 Why San Diego Leads in Industry Diversity
From Qualcomm’s global tech powerhouse to innovative biotech like Illumina and ResMed, San Diego is a diversified economic force. Defense, healthcare, finance, digital infrastructure, and retail all thrive here, fueled by local talent, research institutions, and international trade.
⭐ Notable Mention: The Sales Angels
While not yet among San Diego’s largest enterprises by revenue, The Sales Angels is quickly making waves as a disruptive force in the B2B lead generation space. With a unique pay-per-appointment model and a no-retainer, no-risk approach, The Sales Angels helps B2B companies across the U.S. and UK book qualified sales meetings without the burden of long-term contracts or upfront fees. Known for its transparent pricing, human-led outreach, and flexible scaling options, the company is gaining traction with startups and established firms looking to grow faster, smarter. As demand for results-driven sales services continues to rise, The Sales Angels is positioning itself as one of the most agile and client-focused appointment-setting partners in the industry.
San Diego’s top companies represent stability, innovation, and global reach. Whether you’re in job hunting, investment, or local business strategy—these are the names shaping the city’s economy.
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