The military supports nearly 357,000 local jobs and represents $61.3 billion of San Diego County’s economy, according to the 2025 Military Economic Impact Report released this week.

The annual report , released by the San Diego Military Advisory Council and the UC San Diego Rady School of Management, found that defense spending accounts for 22.2% of the county’s gross regional product. This is a decline of 3% from 2024, owing in part to federal budget cuts.

“San Diego’s defense community continues to be one of the most dynamic and stabilizing forces in our economy,” said Lisa Ordóñez, dean of the Rady School.

The 2025 report records $39.3 billion in direct defense spending, including $19.8 billion in defense contracts awarded to more than 2,000 companies. Payroll for active-duty, rese

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