Cost of Living in San Jose, CA

San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA — prices, rents and what jobs really pay here after taxes.

Salary comparison calculator

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

Prices in San Jose, CA vs. the U.S. average

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.

Rent in San Jose, CA

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

Take-home pay in San Jose, CA

Highest-paying jobs in San Jose, CA

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

Frequently asked questions

All salaries in San Jose, CA

Management Occupations

• Computer and Information Systems Manager — $239,200+
• Natural Sciences Manager — $239,200+
• Architectural and Engineering Manager — $234,590
• Marketing Manager — $231,370
• Training and Development Manager — $230,020
• Financial Manager — $225,280
• Human Resources Manager — $220,460
• Managers, All Other — $217,280
• Public Relations Manager — $213,510
• Sales Manager — $201,780
• Purchasing Manager — $198,980
• Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers — $177,400
• Medical and Health Services Manager — $171,210
• Industrial Production Manager — $171,140
• Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary — $165,520
• Fundraising Manager — $164,330
• General and Operations Manager — $163,860
• Construction Manager — $163,040
• Education Administrators, Postsecondary — $154,140
• Facilities Manager — $145,000
• Administrative Services Manager — $137,820
• Education Administrators, All Other — $99,990
• Social and Community Service Manager — $98,030
• Food Service Manager — $89,900
• Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers — $86,840
• Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare — $62,840

Business and Financial Operations Occupations

• Financial Risk Specialist — $166,240
• Financial and Investment Analyst — $144,910
• Market Research Analyst and Marketing Specialist — $141,960
• Personal Financial Advisor — $136,820
• Management Analyst — $136,670
• Project Management Specialist — $135,120
• Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists — $133,700
• Labor Relations Specialist — $133,270
• Compliance Officer — $123,730
• Accountant and Auditor — $121,700
• Logistician — $115,570
• Human Resources Specialist — $112,140
• Business Operations Specialists, All Other — $108,330
• Fundraiser — $106,760
• Training and Development Specialist — $104,770
• Buyer and Purchasing Agent — $101,500
• Financial Specialists, All Other — $100,950
• Cost Estimator — $97,580
• Loan Officer — $95,090
• Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners — $90,560
• Tax Preparer — $81,180

Computer and Mathematical Occupations

• Computer and Information Research Scientist — $218,420
• Software Developer — $213,110
• Web and Digital Interface Designer — $201,260
• Database Architect — $197,960
• Computer Network Architect — $186,110
• Data Scientist — $185,080
• Computer Occupations, All Other — $184,430
• Information Security Analyst — $176,120
• Web Developer — $166,670
• Software Quality Assurance Analyst and Tester — $166,530
• Computer Systems Analyst — $157,140
• Computer Programmer — $154,920
• Database Administrator — $138,620
• Network and Computer Systems Administrator — $133,360
• Computer Network Support Specialist — $124,130
• Operations Research Analyst — $123,360
• Computer User Support Specialist — $93,590

Architecture and Engineering Occupations

• Computer Hardware Engineer — $209,860
• Electronics Engineers, Except Computer — $194,370
• Electrical Engineer — $187,060
• Aerospace Engineer — $181,630
• Engineers, All Other — $169,650
• Mechanical Engineer — $168,030
• Materials Engineer — $156,730
• Industrial Engineer — $136,950
• Civil Engineer — $130,280
• Architects, Except Landscape and Naval — $129,640
• Electrical and Electronics Drafter — $115,530
• Mechanical Engineering Technologist and Technician — $96,680
• Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologist and Technician — $95,280
• Industrial Engineering Technologist and Technician — $90,660
• Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other — $84,670
• Architectural and Civil Drafter — $82,820
• Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologist and Technician — $77,030

Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations

• Physicist — $173,450
• Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists — $159,300
• Biological Scientists, All Other — $133,790
• Occupational Health and Safety Specialist — $128,980
• Chemist — $114,890
• Clinical and Counseling Psychologist — $102,710
• Biological Technician — $72,940
• Chemical Technician — $67,140

Community and Social Service Occupations

• Probation Officer and Correctional Treatment Specialist — $144,410
• Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker — $109,050
• Healthcare Social Worker — $107,170
• Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors — $95,390
• Marriage and Family Therapist — $95,110
• Child, Family, and School Social Workers — $87,600
• Counselors, All Other — $83,930
• Health Education Specialist — $75,810
• Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors — $72,550
• Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other — $62,720
• Social and Human Service Assistant — $60,650
• Rehabilitation Counselor — $60,450

Legal Occupations

• Lawyer — $239,200+
• Paralegal and Legal Assistant — $99,250

Educational Instruction and Library Occupations

• Business Teachers, Postsecondary — $160,090
• Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary — $154,760
• Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education — $108,230
• Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary — $105,720
• Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education — $105,030
• Librarian and Media Collections Specialist — $103,240
• Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education — $102,860
• Instructional Coordinator — $99,030
• Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School — $98,640
• Postsecondary Teachers, All Other — $94,690
• Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary — $94,370
• Educational Instruction and Library Workers, All Other — $79,270
• Teachers and Instructors, All Other — $77,720
• Substitute Teachers, Short-Term — $72,330
• Self-Enrichment Teacher — $58,330
• Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education — $51,190
• Tutor — $50,350
• Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary — $49,010
• Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary — $45,110

Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations

• Art Director — $170,140
• Special Effects Artist and Animator — $156,950
• Technical Writer — $140,700
• Public Relations Specialist — $117,620
• Editor — $117,580
• Graphic Designer — $97,360
• Coach and Scout — $57,250
• Merchandise Displayer and Window Trimmer — $54,530

Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations

• Family Medicine Physician — $239,200+
• Nurse Practitioner — $231,560
• Physician Assistant — $223,640
• Registered Nurse — $216,740
• Dentists, General — $207,910
• Pharmacist — $199,040
• Diagnostic Medical Sonographer — $173,150
• Radiologic Technologist and Technician — $154,850
• Respiratory Therapist — $149,680
• Dental Hygienist — $139,990
• Physical Therapist — $139,000
• Occupational Therapist — $136,870
• Optometrist — $135,330
• Speech-Language Pathologist — $132,720
• Dietitian and Nutritionist — $122,910
• Surgical Technologist — $106,840
• Physicians, All Other — $98,870
• Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse — $95,320
• Medical Records Specialist — $86,890
• Clinical Laboratory Technologist and Technician — $84,870
• Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other — $81,170
• Pharmacy Technician — $75,490
• Veterinary Technologist and Technician — $67,280
• Emergency Medical Technician — $54,650

Healthcare Support Occupations

• Medical Equipment Preparer — $81,090
• Dental Assistant — $74,600
• Medical Assistant — $61,940
• Healthcare Support Workers, All Other — $57,000
• Nursing Assistant — $56,840
• Massage Therapist — $50,060
• Veterinary Assistant and Laboratory Animal Caretaker — $49,210
• Home Health and Personal Care Aide — $37,640

Protective Service Occupations

• Firefighter — $152,100
• Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $136,140
• Correctional Officer and Jailer — $132,670
• Crossing Guard and Flagger — $58,810
• First-Line Supervisor of Security Workers — $57,910
• Protective Service Workers, All Other — $56,240
• Security Guard — $46,250
• Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers — $42,460

Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations

• Chef and Head Cook — $79,020
• First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $55,520
• Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — $51,880
• Cooks, Fast Food — $47,220
• Cooks, Restaurant — $47,170
• Food Servers, Nonrestaurant — $46,210
• Cooks, Short Order — $45,990
• Food Preparation Worker — $45,580
• Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other — $44,720
• Fast Food and Counter Worker — $44,570
• Dishwasher — $43,960
• Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop — $42,400
• Bartender — $42,270
• Waiter and Waitress — $41,920
• Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper — $41,710

Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations

• First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers — $69,590
• First-Line Supervisor of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers — $69,080
• Tree Trimmer and Pruner — $63,630
• Pest Control Worker — $53,050
• Landscaping and Groundskeeping Worker — $48,330
• Maid and Housekeeping Cleaner — $48,200
• Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners — $43,870

Personal Care and Service Occupations

• Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor — $62,010
• Tour and Travel Guide — $59,330
• Recreation Worker — $57,580
• First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services — $57,040
• Gambling Dealer — $52,060
• Childcare Worker — $45,720
• Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers — $44,760
• Animal Caretaker — $44,070
• Skincare Specialist — $43,420
• Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists — $43,410
• Manicurist and Pedicurist — $43,070
• Amusement and Recreation Attendant — $42,850

Sales and Related Occupations

• Sales Engineer — $177,490
• Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products — $167,630
• Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel — $116,510
• Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products — $103,670
• Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents — $100,030
• First-Line Supervisor of Non-Retail Sales Workers — $84,800
• Sales and Related Workers, All Other — $73,250
• Insurance Sales Agent — $63,950
• First-Line Supervisor of Retail Sales Workers — $61,710
• Parts Salesperson — $50,200
• Counter and Rental Clerk — $48,570
• Demonstrator and Product Promoter — $46,060
• Retail Salesperson — $44,220
• Cashier — $42,960

Office and Administrative Support Occupations

• Executive Secretary and Executive Administrative Assistant — $106,220
• Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs — $97,900
• First-Line Supervisor of Office and Administrative Support Workers — $95,010
• Legal Secretary and Administrative Assistant — $87,270
• Court, Municipal, and License Clerks — $83,490
• Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service — $79,260
• Payroll and Timekeeping Clerk — $77,950
• Bill and Account Collector — $77,360
• Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks — $76,500
• Interviewers, Except Eligibility and Loan — $70,840
• Billing and Posting Clerk — $70,280
• Medical Secretary and Administrative Assistant — $69,350
• Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping — $67,590
• Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks — $66,130
• Information and Record Clerks, All Other — $64,940
• Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive — $62,940
• Insurance Claim and Policy Processing Clerk — $62,900
• Library Assistants, Clerical — $62,780
• Loan Interviewer and Clerk — $62,530
• Postal Service Mail Carrier — $62,070
• Office and Administrative Support Workers, All Other — $61,790
• File Clerk — $60,840
• Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance — $60,780
• Customer Service Representative — $60,480
• Office Clerks, General — $58,840
• Order Clerk — $58,170
• Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks — $54,640
• Data Entry Keyer — $54,510
• Teller — $50,090
• Receptionist and Information Clerk — $47,130
• Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks — $45,230

Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations

• Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse — $43,690

Construction and Extraction Occupations

• Construction and Building Inspector — $129,750
• First-Line Supervisor of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers — $129,700
• Operating Engineer and Other Construction Equipment Operator — $124,340
• Sheet Metal Worker — $109,280
• Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters — $107,560
• Taper — $92,810
• Electrician — $91,030
• Carpenter — $80,190
• Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installer — $79,430
• Roofer — $76,650
• Cement Mason and Concrete Finisher — $75,520
• Construction Laborer — $68,470
• Painters, Construction and Maintenance — $61,970

Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations

• Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment — $122,860
• First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers — $104,070
• Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines — $95,980
• Bus and Truck Mechanic and Diesel Engine Specialist — $88,980
• Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers — $87,950
• Industrial Machinery Mechanic — $84,620
• Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers — $82,050
• Automotive Service Technician and Mechanic — $77,840
• Automotive Body and Related Repairer — $76,800
• Maintenance and Repair Workers, General — $63,220
• Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other — $58,200
• Tire Repairer and Changer — $45,900

Production Occupations

• Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operator — $108,190
• First-Line Supervisor of Production and Operating Workers — $89,970
• Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers — $64,140
• Machinist — $63,540
• Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers — $60,610
• Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator — $59,620
• Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders — $58,910
• Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers — $55,230
• Miscellaneous Assembler and Fabricator — $52,360
• Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic — $50,870
• Semiconductor Processing Technician — $50,820
• Butcher and Meat Cutter — $49,610
• Production Workers, All Other — $49,450
• Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic — $49,230
• Helpers--Production Worker — $46,170
• Packaging and Filling Machine Operator and Tender — $45,740
• Baker — $45,480
• Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Worker — $44,410
• Printing Press Operator — $44,130

Transportation and Material Moving Occupations

• Refuse and Recyclable Material Collector — $87,430
• Bus Drivers, School — $75,230
• First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors — $74,240
• Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver — $70,730
• Industrial Truck and Tractor Operator — $54,440
• Light Truck Driver — $52,100
• Driver/Sales Worker — $51,260
• Shuttle Driver and Chauffeur — $50,040
• Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand — $47,060
• Parking Attendant — $45,030
• Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendant — $45,020
• Stocker and Order Filler — $44,970
• Cleaner of Vehicles and Equipment — $43,680
• Packers and Packagers, Hand — $42,410

Other cities in California

• Los Angeles, CA
• San Francisco, CA
• Riverside, CA
• San Diego, CA
• Sacramento, CA
• Fresno, CA
• Bakersfield, CA
• Oxnard, CA
• Stockton, CA
• Santa Rosa, CA

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