Jobs & Economy in Chula Vista
Chula Vista's economy centers on a real, genuine binational-border employment base, a growing aerospace-manufacturing corridor, and defense-adjacent employment tied to nearby Naval Base San Diego.
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Learn moreA real, physical binational-border employment presence
The CBP San Diego Sector's own headquarters and the Chula Vista Border Patrol Station are physically located in the city, with average CBP Border Patrol pay in Chula Vista running approximately $60,434/year as of March 2026.
A real, growing aerospace-manufacturing corridor
Collins Aerospace completed a real $15 million modernization of its automated fiber-placement capabilities in Chula Vista, part of a genuinely growing local aerospace-component manufacturing sector, alongside a real, disclosed ~3,200 security-cleared local workers tied to nearby Naval Base San Diego and Space Force-adjacent work.
A broader employer base beyond border and aerospace
Sharp HealthCare, Sweetwater Union High School District (~3,700 employees), Mitsubishi Heavy Industries America, and South Bay Seafoods round out Chula Vista's real employer base. Projected 2026 employment growth ran 2.5%-3.8%, contingent on final DoD budget appropriations.
Key takeaways
- Chula Vista hosts the CBP San Diego Sector's own headquarters, a real, physical binational-border employment anchor.
- A real, growing aerospace-manufacturing corridor (Collins Aerospace) and ~3,200 security-cleared local workers round out the economy.
- Sharp HealthCare, Sweetwater Union High School District, and other major employers add a broader economic base.
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