Cost of Living in Salinas, CA

Salinas, CA — prices, rents and what jobs really pay here after taxes.

Salary comparison calculator

What would you need to earn in Salinas, CA to keep the same lifestyle — after taxes — as in another city?

Prices in Salinas, CA vs. the U.S. average

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.

Rent in Salinas, CA

HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026, population-weighted across the metro's counties.

Take-home pay in Salinas, CA

Highest-paying jobs in Salinas, CA

*In U.S.-average dollars after adjusting for local prices.

Frequently asked questions

All salaries in Salinas, CA

Management Occupations

• Financial Manager — $153,370
• Medical and Health Services Manager — $140,610
• General and Operations Manager — $105,680
• Sales Manager — $103,810

Business and Financial Operations Occupations

• Management Analyst — $102,640
• Project Management Specialist — $102,400
• Business Operations Specialists, All Other — $86,590
• Accountant and Auditor — $83,810
• Human Resources Specialist — $80,100
• Market Research Analyst and Marketing Specialist — $70,440

Computer and Mathematical Occupations

• Computer Occupations, All Other — $131,730

Community and Social Service Occupations

• Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors — $73,940
• Child, Family, and School Social Workers — $62,520
• Social and Human Service Assistant — $50,630

Educational Instruction and Library Occupations

• Teachers and Instructors, All Other — $113,360
• Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education — $101,590
• Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education — $100,220
• Substitute Teachers, Short-Term — $63,970
• Self-Enrichment Teacher — $49,920
• Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary — $48,030
• Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education — $47,280

Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations

• Interpreter and Translator — $62,720

Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations

• Registered Nurse — $134,910
• Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse — $80,910

Healthcare Support Occupations

• Dental Assistant — $56,790
• Medical Assistant — $48,890
• Nursing Assistant — $48,870
• Home Health and Personal Care Aide — $34,320

Protective Service Occupations

• Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $118,220
• Correctional Officer and Jailer — $109,620
• Firefighter — $81,070
• Security Guard — $38,700

Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations

• First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $48,220
• Cooks, Restaurant — $44,930
• Fast Food and Counter Worker — $43,260
• Cooks, Fast Food — $43,120
• Food Preparation Worker — $38,480
• Dishwasher — $37,350
• Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop — $36,380
• Bartender — $36,350
• Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper — $35,600
• Waiter and Waitress — $35,540

Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations

• Landscaping and Groundskeeping Worker — $46,550
• Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners — $43,570
• Maid and Housekeeping Cleaner — $38,810

Personal Care and Service Occupations

• Childcare Worker — $39,520
• Recreation Worker — $38,260
• Amusement and Recreation Attendant — $36,290

Sales and Related Occupations

• Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products — $80,510
• First-Line Supervisor of Retail Sales Workers — $55,380
• Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel — $53,140
• Counter and Rental Clerk — $42,880
• Retail Salesperson — $37,970
• Cashier — $37,080

Office and Administrative Support Occupations

• First-Line Supervisor of Office and Administrative Support Workers — $74,010
• Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks — $59,180
• Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive — $57,340
• Medical Secretary and Administrative Assistant — $49,630
• Office Clerks, General — $48,340
• Customer Service Representative — $48,010
• Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks — $45,920
• Receptionist and Information Clerk — $43,300
• Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks — $38,320

Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations

• First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers — $62,030
• Agricultural Equipment Operator — $38,740
• Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products — $37,340
• Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse — $36,700

Construction and Extraction Occupations

• First-Line Supervisor of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers — $91,200
• Electrician — $78,780
• Carpenter — $67,530
• Construction Laborer — $61,680
• Painters, Construction and Maintenance — $60,860

Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations

• First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers — $91,850
• Automotive Service Technician and Mechanic — $62,770
• Maintenance and Repair Workers, General — $50,760

Production Occupations

• First-Line Supervisor of Production and Operating Workers — $69,920
• Packaging and Filling Machine Operator and Tender — $44,660
• Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers — $44,500

Transportation and Material Moving Occupations

• First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors — $58,080
• Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver — $53,390
• Light Truck Driver — $45,970
• Industrial Truck and Tractor Operator — $43,370
• Stocker and Order Filler — $39,200
• Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand — $39,110
• Cleaner of Vehicles and Equipment — $38,830
• Packers and Packagers, Hand — $35,480

Other cities in California

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