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Average salary by job family in Salinas
| Legal | $137,080 |
|---|---|
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical | $135,370 |
| Management | $133,570 |
| Computer and Mathematical | $112,940 |
| Architecture and Engineering | $108,380 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science | $101,490 |
| Business and Financial Operations | $93,750 |
| Educational Instruction and Library | $87,360 |
| Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media | $82,360 |
| Protective Service | $81,600 |
| Construction and Extraction | $73,460 |
| Community and Social Service | $73,370 |
| Installation, Maintenance, and Repair | $66,430 |
| Office and Administrative Support | $56,800 |
| Sales and Related | $52,290 |
| Production | $50,730 |
| Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance | $47,500 |
| Personal Care and Service | $46,340 |
| Transportation and Material Moving | $45,830 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related | $44,700 |
| Healthcare Support | $41,960 |
| Farming, Fishing, and Forestry | $41,270 |
Highest-paying jobs in Salinas
- Family Medicine Physicians$337,330
- Physicians, All Other$298,990
- Psychiatrists$258,960
- Chief Executives$250,760
- Dentists, General$202,730
- Physician Assistants$202,320
- Architectural and Engineering Managers$186,210
- Lawyers$178,560
- Computer and Information Systems Managers$177,580
- Natural Sciences Managers$175,560
Most common jobs in Salinas and what they pay
| Job | Jobs | Average salary | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse | 26,830 | $40,270 | $36,700 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | 6,740 | $35,570 | $34,320 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | 4,180 | $41,880 | $43,260 |
| Retail Salespersons | 4,110 | $42,390 | $37,970 |
| Cashiers | 4,020 | $40,040 | $37,080 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | 3,890 | $42,150 | $39,110 |
| Registered Nurses | 3,180 | $138,810 | $134,910 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | 3,100 | $45,820 | $35,540 |
| Office Clerks, General | 2,790 | $50,910 | $48,340 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | 2,700 | $37,090 | $35,480 |
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Cost of living in Salinas
Prices in the Salinas area are 9% above the U.S. average, with a BEA price parity of 109.0 for 2024. The average local salary of $65,160 therefore buys what $59,757 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. A typical home is worth $850,461, 9.0 times the median household income of $94,486.
$850,461typical home value
$94,486median household income
109.0BEA price parity
435,834metro population
Take-home pay in Salinas
| Salary level | Gross | After tax | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25th percentile wage | $37,350 | $31,561 | $2,630 |
| Median wage | $47,380 | $39,210 | $3,268 |
| Average wage | $65,160 | $52,396 | $4,366 |
| 75th percentile wage | $75,790 | $59,157 | $4,930 |
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.
Salaries for every job in Salinas
Legal3 jobs
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical27 jobs
- Family Medicine Physicians$337K
- Physicians, All Other$299K
- Psychiatrists$259K
- Dentists, General$203K
- Physician Assistants$202K
- Nurse Practitioners$171K
- Pharmacists$165K
- Veterinarians$163K
- Registered Nurses$139K
- Optometrists$138K
- Speech-Language Pathologists$124K
- Occupational Therapists$122K
- Physical Therapists$122K
- Dental Hygienists$122K
- Radiologic Technologists and Technicians$102K
- Dietitians and Nutritionists$99K
- Paramedics$89K
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$82K
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers, All Other$77K
- Surgical Technologists$77K
- Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians$72K
- Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other$65K
- Veterinary Technologists and Technicians$61K
- Medical Records Specialists$61K
- Opticians, Dispensing$57K
- Pharmacy Technicians$56K
- Emergency Medical Technicians$55K
Management28 jobs
- Chief Executives$251K
- Architectural and Engineering Managers$186K
- Computer and Information Systems Managers$178K
- Natural Sciences Managers$176K
- Financial Managers$163K
- Marketing Managers$163K
- Purchasing Managers$158K
- Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary$157K
- Human Resources Managers$157K
- Fundraising Managers$155K
- Medical and Health Services Managers$153K
- Managers, All Other$144K
- Public Relations Managers$137K
- Industrial Production Managers$136K
- Sales Managers$132K
- Construction Managers$130K
- General and Operations Managers$130K
- Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers$128K
- Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers$121K
- Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling$121K
- Education Administrators, All Other$121K
- Facilities Managers$120K
- Administrative Services Managers$118K
- Social and Community Service Managers$97K
- Lodging Managers$91K
- Food Service Managers$86K
- Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare$80K
- Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers$75K
Computer and Mathematical10 jobs
- Software Developers$140K
- Computer Network Architects$132K
- Computer Occupations, All Other$126K
- Computer Systems Analysts$115K
- Data Scientists$110K
- Operations Research Analysts$102K
- Network and Computer Systems Administrators$101K
- Database Administrators$97K
- Computer Network Support Specialists$82K
- Computer User Support Specialists$76K
Architecture and Engineering11 jobs
- Electrical Engineers$136K
- Mechanical Engineers$128K
- Environmental Engineers$122K
- Civil Engineers$120K
- Engineers, All Other$112K
- Architects, Except Landscape and Naval$109K
- Industrial Engineers$106K
- Surveyors$105K
- Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians$82K
- Landscape Architects$78K
- Architectural and Civil Drafters$73K
Life, Physical, and Social Science17 jobs
- Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists$133K
- Urban and Regional Planners$119K
- Soil and Plant Scientists$112K
- Biological Scientists, All Other$110K
- Clinical and Counseling Psychologists$110K
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health$106K
- Chemists$105K
- Occupational Health and Safety Specialists$102K
- Food Scientists and Technologists$93K
- Conservation Scientists$88K
- Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists$86K
- Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other$70K
- Forest and Conservation Technicians$64K
- Biological Technicians$63K
- Agricultural Technicians$57K
- Food Science Technicians$56K
- Chemical Technicians$55K
Business and Financial Operations22 jobs
- Personal Financial Advisors$146K
- Financial and Investment Analysts$119K
- Project Management Specialists$108K
- Budget Analysts$106K
- Management Analysts$105K
- Labor Relations Specialists$104K
- Loan Officers$104K
- Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators$102K
- Compliance Officers$96K
- Accountants and Auditors$96K
- Business Operations Specialists, All Other$94K
- Cost Estimators$93K
- Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists$90K
- Logisticians$90K
- Human Resources Specialists$88K
- Buyers and Purchasing Agents$85K
- Financial Specialists, All Other$83K
- Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists$78K
- Fundraisers$77K
- Training and Development Specialists$77K
- Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners$72K
- Tax Preparers$68K
Educational Instruction and Library16 jobs
- Teachers and Instructors, All Other$123K
- Special Education Teachers, All Other$107K
- Instructional Coordinators$100K
- Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$99K
- Special Education Teachers, Middle School$99K
- Special Education Teachers, Secondary School$96K
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education$94K
- Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary$90K
- Librarians and Media Collections Specialists$83K
- Educational Instruction and Library Workers, All Other$82K
- Substitute Teachers, Short-Term$64K
- Self-Enrichment Teachers$63K
- Library Technicians$55K
- Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education$53K
- Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary$49K
- Tutors$43K
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media12 jobs
- Media and Communication Equipment Workers, All Other$128K
- Producers and Directors$116K
- Public Relations Specialists$87K
- Coaches and Scouts$86K
- Interior Designers$85K
- Interpreters and Translators$75K
- Editors$75K
- Graphic Designers$73K
- Audio and Video Technicians$67K
- Floral Designers$62K
- Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers$50K
- Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials$45K
Protective Service11 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives$155K
- First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers$120K
- Detectives and Criminal Investigators$115K
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$112K
- Correctional Officers and Jailers$99K
- Firefighters$83K
- Transportation Security Screeners$74K
- Parking Enforcement Workers$66K
- Security Guards$44K
- Protective Service Workers, All Other$42K
- Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers$37K
Construction and Extraction22 jobs
- Construction and Building Inspectors$105K
- First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers$93K
- Sheet Metal Workers$93K
- Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators$90K
- Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers$85K
- Electricians$83K
- Glaziers$77K
- Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$73K
- Carpenters$72K
- Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers$71K
- Brickmasons and Blockmasons$69K
- Tile and Stone Setters$67K
- Construction Laborers$67K
- Solar Photovoltaic Installers$66K
- Plasterers and Stucco Masons$66K
- Highway Maintenance Workers$64K
- Roofers$64K
- Painters, Construction and Maintenance$60K
- Helpers--Roofers$57K
- Hazardous Materials Removal Workers$56K
- Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters$56K
- Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners$53K
Community and Social Service14 jobs
- Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors$100K
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers$94K
- Healthcare Social Workers$92K
- Social Workers, All Other$81K
- Marriage and Family Therapists$79K
- Clergy$73K
- Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors$73K
- Health Education Specialists$72K
- Child, Family, and School Social Workers$70K
- Social and Human Service Assistants$59K
- Community Health Workers$59K
- Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other$55K
- Counselors, All Other$52K
- Rehabilitation Counselors$43K
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair18 jobs
- Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers$97K
- First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers$94K
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers$81K
- Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers$79K
- Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines$77K
- Industrial Machinery Mechanics$72K
- Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers$67K
- Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists$66K
- Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics$65K
- Automotive Body and Related Repairers$63K
- Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics$61K
- Maintenance Workers, Machinery$60K
- Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$56K
- Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other$56K
- Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers$55K
- Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians$54K
- Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers$45K
- Tire Repairers and Changers$43K
Office and Administrative Support37 jobs
- Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants$84K
- First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$76K
- Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants$75K
- Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs$75K
- Court, Municipal, and License Clerks$66K
- Loan Interviewers and Clerks$65K
- Postal Service Mail Carriers$65K
- Postal Service Clerks$64K
- Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks$64K
- Procurement Clerks$63K
- Information and Record Clerks, All Other$63K
- Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$61K
- Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks$60K
- Bill and Account Collectors$59K
- Cargo and Freight Agents$58K
- Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks$58K
- Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$58K
- File Clerks$57K
- Word Processors and Typists$57K
- Office and Administrative Support Workers, All Other$56K
- Interviewers, Except Eligibility and Loan$56K
- Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance$56K
- Billing and Posting Clerks$55K
- Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping$53K
- Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants$53K
- Customer Service Representatives$52K
- Office Clerks, General$51K
- Library Assistants, Clerical$50K
- Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service$48K
- Order Clerks$48K
- Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks$48K
- Tellers$48K
- Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers, Recordkeeping$47K
- Data Entry Keyers$45K
- Receptionists and Information Clerks$44K
- Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks$43K
- Couriers and Messengers$39K
Sales and Related14 jobs
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products$100K
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$96K
- Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents$90K
- First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers$85K
- Real Estate Sales Agents$78K
- Insurance Sales Agents$71K
- Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel$70K
- Sales and Related Workers, All Other$66K
- First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$57K
- Counter and Rental Clerks$50K
- Parts Salespersons$48K
- Demonstrators and Product Promoters$45K
- Retail Salespersons$42K
- Cashiers$40K
Production26 jobs
- Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators$87K
- Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators$79K
- First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$74K
- Machinists$62K
- Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$61K
- Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$60K
- Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$59K
- Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic$52K
- Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$51K
- Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters$49K
- Helpers--Production Workers$49K
- Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$49K
- Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$47K
- Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$47K
- Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$46K
- Butchers and Meat Cutters$46K
- Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders$45K
- Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders$44K
- Bakers$43K
- Production Workers, All Other$43K
- Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders$41K
- Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers$40K
- Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials$40K
- Food Batchmakers$39K
- Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers$39K
- Food Processing Workers, All Other$38K
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance9 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers$77K
- First-Line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers$59K
- Tree Trimmers and Pruners$57K
- Pest Control Workers$49K
- Building Cleaning Workers, All Other$49K
- Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers$48K
- Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$45K
- Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation$44K
- Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$43K
Personal Care and Service17 jobs
- Skincare Specialists$66K
- Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors$62K
- First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services$62K
- First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers$59K
- Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other$54K
- Residential Advisors$54K
- Locker Room, Coatroom, and Dressing Room Attendants$51K
- Concierges$51K
- Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists$47K
- Tour and Travel Guides$46K
- Animal Caretakers$43K
- Childcare Workers$42K
- Recreation Workers$42K
- Manicurists and Pedicurists$41K
- Baggage Porters and Bellhops$40K
- Amusement and Recreation Attendants$39K
- Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers$39K
Transportation and Material Moving20 jobs
- Commercial Pilots$118K
- Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels$73K
- Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity$70K
- First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors$63K
- Motor Vehicle Operators, All Other$63K
- Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors$62K
- Bus Drivers, School$60K
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$56K
- Light Truck Drivers$52K
- Driver/Sales Workers$47K
- Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs$45K
- Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators$44K
- Parking Attendants$44K
- Stockers and Order Fillers$43K
- Material Moving Workers, All Other$42K
- Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants$42K
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$42K
- Conveyor Operators and Tenders$41K
- Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment$40K
- Packers and Packagers, Hand$37K
Food Preparation and Serving Related16 jobs
- Chefs and Head Cooks$76K
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$55K
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria$48K
- Bartenders$47K
- Waiters and Waitresses$46K
- Cooks, Restaurant$45K
- Cooks, All Other$43K
- Food Servers, Nonrestaurant$42K
- Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other$42K
- Cooks, Fast Food$42K
- Cooks, Short Order$42K
- Fast Food and Counter Workers$42K
- Food Preparation Workers$41K
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers$41K
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop$40K
- Dishwashers$40K
Healthcare Support12 jobs
- Physical Therapist Assistants$85K
- Massage Therapists$75K
- Medical Equipment Preparers$60K
- Healthcare Support Workers, All Other$57K
- Dental Assistants$56K
- Phlebotomists$56K
- Medical Assistants$50K
- Nursing Assistants$49K
- Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers$46K
- Pharmacy Aides$41K
- Physical Therapist Aides$41K
- Home Health and Personal Care Aides$36K
Farming, Fishing, and Forestry7 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers$63K
- Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals$57K
- Forest and Conservation Workers$48K
- Agricultural Workers, All Other$46K
- Agricultural Equipment Operators$41K
- Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse$40K
- Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products$38K
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Salary in Salinas: questions
What is a good salary in Salinas?
Half of all workers in the Salinas metro earn less than $47,380 and the average is $65,160. Earning more than $75,790 puts you in the top quarter of local wages.
How much do you need to earn in Salinas to match a $70,751 salary elsewhere?
About $77,148, because prices here are 9% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 109.0).
What are the highest-paying jobs in Salinas?
Family Medicine Physicians ($337,330), Physicians, All Other ($298,990), Psychiatrists ($258,960).
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. Area Salinas, CA (41500), all occupations and 369 individual jobs.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Population and median household income: Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2023.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index.
- 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.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.