Cashier Salary in Santa Maria, CA
Cashiers in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area earn a median $36,600 a year — 11% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $30,659 take-home, or $2,555 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median cashier salary in Santa Maria, CA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,212
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,269
- Medicare (1.45%)$531
- California income tax$453
- CA State Disability Insurance (SDI)$476
- Take-home pay$30,659
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.00% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Cashier pay by experience in Santa Maria, CA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,170 | $16.91 | $29,586 | $2,465 |
| 25th percentile | $35,860 | $17.24 | $30,104 | $2,509 |
| Median (50th) | $36,600 | $17.60 | $30,659 | $2,555 |
| 75th percentile | $41,600 | $20.00 | $34,411 | $2,868 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $49,390 | $23.75 | $40,210 | $3,351 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, California resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $36,600 buys in Santa Maria, CA
Prices in Santa Maria, CA are 8.8% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median cashier's $30,659 take-home pay has the buying power of $28,180 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Cashier jobs are about as common in Santa Maria, CA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.05).
Best-paying cities for cashiers, adjusted for cost of living
Santa Maria, CA ranks #70 of 202 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $44,210 | $37,703 | $33,926 |
| 2 | Rochester, MN | $34,960 | $29,219 | $32,172 |
| 3 | San Jose, CA | $42,960 | $35,432 | $32,088 |
| 4 | Fargo, ND | $33,420 | $29,033 | $31,950 |
| 5 | Kennewick, WA | $36,610 | $31,596 | $31,571 |
| 6 | Duluth, MN | $33,020 | $27,764 | $31,277 |
| 7 | Spokane, WA | $36,290 | $31,339 | $31,231 |
| 8 | St. Cloud, MN | $32,480 | $27,359 | $31,220 |
| 70 | Santa Maria, CA | $36,600 | $30,659 | $28,180 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 202 metros →
About the job: cashiers
Receive and disburse money in establishments other than financial institutions. May use electronic scanners, cash registers, or related equipment. May process credit or debit card transactions and validate checks.
- Typical education
- No formal educational credential
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -6.5% (declining)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Cashier salaries elsewhere in California
- San Jose, CA — $42,960
- Santa Rosa, CA — $38,440
- San Francisco, CA — $41,270
- Modesto, CA — $36,490
- Bakersfield, CA — $35,220
- Visalia, CA — $34,770
- Vallejo, CA — $37,810
- Fresno, CA — $35,270
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cashier make in Santa Maria, CA?
The median cashier salary in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area is $36,600 a year, or about $17.60 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $35,860 and $41,600.
What is a cashier’s take-home pay in Santa Maria, CA?
On the median $36,600 salary, a single filer living in California takes home about $30,659 a year ($2,555 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $929 in California taxes in 2026.
Is Santa Maria, CA a good place to work as a cashier?
Pay here is 11% above the national median of $32,880. Local prices are 8.8% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $28,180 would in a typical U.S. city. Santa Maria, CA ranks #70 of 202 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a cashier afford rent in Santa Maria, CA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Santa Maria, CA is $2,746 a month ($3,124 for two bedrooms) — 107% of a median cashier’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Santa Maria, CA
- Retail Salesperson — $37,200