Wages by Occupation in Salinas, CA

Pay and jobs by occupation in the Salinas, CA metropolitan area (BLS, May 2025). BLS counts about 186,430 jobs across all occupations here, with a median annual wage of $47,380 for all occupations combined. 369 occupations have a published median wage in this area.

Education and earnings of residents

Who lives in the Salinas, CA area and what they earn, by education, from federal survey data (not a measure of any one employer or college).

28.2% of adults 25 and over in this area have a bachelor’s degree or higher (±0.7), compared with 35.7% nationally.

Prices of goods and services here run at 109.0 when the whole U.S. is 100 (housing 145.7; U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities, 2024; estimates are revised). A higher number means prices are higher on average, not that the area is better or worse.

About 31,923 residents (7.6% of those 3 and older; U.S. 6.6%) are enrolled in college or graduate school, at any school (±1,343; ACS 2020-2024, Table B14001).

The unemployment rate in this area averaged 7.9% in 2025, with a labor force of about 222,719 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics, not seasonally adjusted annual average; estimates are model-based and revised).

28.1% of adults 25 to 34 have a bachelor’s degree or higher (±1.6), compared with 39.6% nationally (Table B15001).

Median yearly earnings by education, adults 25 and over who have earnings

Education	This area	United States
Less than high school	$31,567	$32,485
High school graduate	$40,745	$40,153
Some college or associate's degree	$51,578	$47,260
Bachelor's degree	$73,550	$70,044
Graduate or professional degree	$96,990	$90,720

Poverty rate by education, adults 25 and over

Education	This area	United States
Less than high school	16.8% (±1.2)	24.2%
High school graduate	13.2% (±1.2)	14.4%
Some college or associate's degree	8.7% (±1.0)	9.8%
Bachelor's degree or higher	5.4% (±0.6)	4.5%

Unemployment rate by education, ages 25 to 64

Education	This area	United States
Less than high school	5.0% (±1.0)	7.7%
High school graduate	3.8% (±0.7)	5.9%
Some college or associate's degree	5.1% (±0.9)	4.7%
Bachelor's degree or higher	4.5% (±0.8)	2.8%

What residents with a bachelor’s degree studied

Field of first major	This area	United States
Science and engineering	40.9%	36.1%
Science and engineering related fields	8.4%	10.0%
Business	14.2%	20.1%
Education	7.0%	10.9%
Arts, humanities and other	29.5%	23.0%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, Tables B15003, B20004 (earnings shown only when the margin of error is at most 20% of the value), B23006 (unemployment shown only when every margin is at most 3 points), B17003 (margins of error at the 90% level; poverty shown only when every margin is at most 8 points) and C15010 (the Census Bureau’s own field groups, in a fixed order, not ranked). Describes residents of the area, not a prediction for any person; the Census Bureau has not endorsed this presentation. MajorPays does not provide advice.

Wages by occupation

Occupation	Jobs	Median annual wage	Mean annual wage	Jobs per 1,000 jobs here	Concentration vs. U.S.
Accountants and Auditors	1,050	$83,810	$95,570	5.63	0.60
Administrative Services Managers	230	$104,660	$118,280	1.25	0.73
Agricultural Equipment Operators	680	$38,740	$41,180	3.65	19.90
Agricultural Technicians	50	$53,510	$57,140	0.29	2.99
Agricultural Workers, All Other	40	$38,450	$45,740	0.20	8.39
Amusement and Recreation Attendants	520	$36,290	$39,410	2.79	1.09
Animal Caretakers	240	$37,960	$43,490	1.31	0.76
Architects, Except Landscape and Naval	60	$99,600	$108,590	0.34	0.49
Architectural and Civil Drafters	80	$66,470	$73,030	0.41	0.62
Architectural and Engineering Managers	70	$187,730	$186,210	0.36	0.25
Audio and Video Technicians	100	$60,390	$66,950	0.53	1.17
Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants	120	$42,090	$42,170	0.65	0.98
Automotive Body and Related Repairers	110	$61,090	$62,560	0.56	0.59
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics	620	$62,770	$64,620	3.33	0.73
Baggage Porters and Bellhops	50	$38,000	$40,080	0.28	1.54
Bakers	410	$41,310	$43,080	2.22	1.46
Bartenders	830	$36,350	$46,550	4.44	0.91
Bill and Account Collectors	50	$56,800	$58,620	0.26	0.26
Billing and Posting Clerks	310	$54,320	$55,110	1.66	0.64
Biological Scientists, All Other	50	$104,540	$110,140	0.26	0.72
Biological Technicians	40	$59,320	$63,090	0.23	0.51
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks	1,270	$59,180	$60,540	6.80	0.77
Brickmasons and Blockmasons	40	$65,430	$69,370	0.21	0.62
Budget Analysts	50	$103,970	$106,070	0.28	0.92
Building Cleaning Workers, All Other	40	$48,530	$48,830	0.20	1.85
Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists	200	$63,840	$65,720	1.05	0.56
Bus Drivers, School	140	$62,390	$59,670	0.74	0.29
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity	180	$71,290	$69,690	0.96	0.94
Business Operations Specialists, All Other	960	$86,590	$93,620	5.12	0.73
Butchers and Meat Cutters	210	$42,380	$46,290	1.15	1.31
Buyers and Purchasing Agents	350	$80,500	$85,380	1.86	0.59
Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters	30	$47,250	$48,980	0.16	0.33
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels	40	$60,070	$73,490	0.20	0.84
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary	130	$76,960	$90,470	0.69	0.93
Cargo and Freight Agents	30	$54,490	$58,270	0.16	0.26
Carpenters	1,210	$67,530	$72,380	6.47	1.50
Cashiers	4,020	$37,080	$40,040	21.55	1.08
Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers	200	$68,050	$84,960	1.07	0.81
Chefs and Head Cooks	360	$72,440	$76,270	1.92	1.49
Chemical Technicians	30	$54,220	$55,350	0.16	0.44
Chemists	30	$95,080	$104,930	0.18	0.34
Chief Executives	220	$226,270	$250,760	1.20	0.91
Child, Family, and School Social Workers	450	$62,520	$70,220	2.41	0.95
Childcare Workers	530	$39,520	$42,380	2.83	0.85
Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians	40	$81,230	$81,910	0.22	0.49
Civil Engineers	250	$122,160	$120,250	1.36	0.58
Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators	150	$101,900	$102,060	0.81	0.39
Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment	790	$38,830	$40,440	4.25	1.74
Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders	30	$38,690	$41,310	0.17	1.74
Clergy	60	$73,770	$73,460	0.32	0.87
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists	90	$98,430	$110,070	0.47	0.97
Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians	110	$62,770	$71,910	0.60	0.28
Coaches and Scouts	210	$54,940	$86,040	1.11	0.69
Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	50	$58,390	$58,670	0.28	0.27
Commercial Pilots	30	$102,580	$118,490	0.17	0.55
Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other	150	$51,150	$55,410	0.78	1.13
Community Health Workers	90	$56,810	$58,520	0.47	1.17
Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists	60	$90,450	$90,470	0.32	0.44
Compliance Officers	250	$91,210	$95,830	1.32	0.49
Computer and Information Systems Managers	200	$167,160	$177,580	1.07	0.25
Computer Network Architects	40	$132,480	$131,940	0.23	0.20
Computer Network Support Specialists	60	$76,230	$82,230	0.35	0.37
Computer Occupations, All Other	500	$131,730	$125,760	2.66	0.95
Computer Systems Analysts	200	$108,900	$114,590	1.06	0.32
Computer User Support Specialists	340	$73,540	$75,570	1.84	0.40
Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers	40	$49,030	$55,070	0.22	0.52
Concierges	70	$43,210	$51,190	0.40	1.26
Conservation Scientists	50	$77,020	$88,500	0.28	1.69
Construction and Building Inspectors	90	$100,830	$104,660	0.48	0.51
Construction Laborers	950	$61,680	$66,620	5.10	0.72
Construction Managers	220	$120,430	$130,450	1.19	0.49
Conveyor Operators and Tenders	50	$40,280	$41,140	0.25	1.68
Cooks, All Other	70	$39,640	$42,800	0.37	2.96
Cooks, Fast Food	1,100	$43,120	$41,940	5.87	1.42
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria	350	$46,820	$48,160	1.85	0.65
Cooks, Restaurant	1,910	$44,930	$45,310	10.26	1.13
Cooks, Short Order	260	$40,550	$41,920	1.42	1.59
Correctional Officers and Jailers	1,510	$109,620	$99,160	8.09	3.31
Cost Estimators	150	$80,210	$93,330	0.81	0.56
Counselors, All Other	230	$48,200	$52,300	1.22	6.63
Counter and Rental Clerks	680	$42,880	$50,170	3.62	1.40
Couriers and Messengers	30	$37,920	$38,670	0.19	0.42
Court, Municipal, and License Clerks	100	$63,830	$66,140	0.54	0.47
Customer Service Representatives	880	$48,010	$51,850	4.70	0.28
Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	90	$47,230	$48,690	0.46	1.60
Data Entry Keyers	100	$45,510	$45,400	0.54	0.66
Data Scientists	90	$99,850	$109,540	0.47	0.28
Database Administrators	40	$83,970	$96,650	0.20	0.43
Demonstrators and Product Promoters	190	$44,600	$44,820	1.03	2.49
Dental Assistants	570	$56,790	$55,700	3.04	1.22
Dental Hygienists	240	$122,370	$121,560	1.27	0.88
Dentists, General	170	$185,040	$202,730	0.89	1.11
Detectives and Criminal Investigators	50	$105,990	$115,050	0.27	0.36
Dietitians and Nutritionists	60	$101,640	$99,250	0.30	0.61
Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers	1,170	$35,600	$40,740	6.30	1.80
Dishwashers	970	$37,350	$39,830	5.21	1.70
Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance	250	$51,740	$56,010	1.34	1.03
Driver/Sales Workers	360	$43,210	$46,590	1.94	0.74
Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers	160	$73,650	$71,170	0.86	1.61
Editors	50	$63,680	$74,920	0.26	0.44
Education Administrators, All Other	110	$105,050	$120,540	0.59	1.66
Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary	350	$161,590	$157,490	1.85	0.88
Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare	120	$76,620	$80,060	0.64	1.35
Educational Instruction and Library Workers, All Other	390	$64,660	$81,840	2.09	2.74
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors	400	$100,360	$99,630	2.12	0.93
Electrical Engineers	50	$126,460	$136,120	0.29	0.23
Electricians	530	$78,780	$83,410	2.86	0.59
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education	2,280	$100,220	$93,690	12.21	1.37
Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs	320	$76,090	$75,120	1.71	1.72
Emergency Medical Technicians	130	$47,370	$54,630	0.70	0.60
Engineers, All Other	90	$98,950	$112,020	0.48	0.48
Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling	90	$98,550	$120,890	0.47	1.91
Environmental Engineers	30	$126,670	$122,350	0.17	0.70
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health	90	$101,560	$105,660	0.48	0.84
Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants	360	$79,390	$84,020	1.94	0.66
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors	330	$59,910	$62,340	1.78	0.86
Facilities Managers	200	$111,500	$119,970	1.09	1.08
Family Medicine Physicians	320	$410,370	$337,330	1.69	2.45
Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians	410	$47,400	$54,350	2.18	8.93
Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers	90	$122,630	$128,410	0.51	12.17
Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse	26,830	$36,700	$40,270	143.93	84.30
Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals	70	$62,540	$57,310	0.37	1.74
Fast Food and Counter Workers	4,180	$43,260	$41,880	22.41	0.90
File Clerks	80	$59,040	$56,620	0.43	0.91
Financial and Investment Analysts	90	$104,780	$118,960	0.47	0.20
Financial Managers	450	$153,370	$162,930	2.39	0.44
Financial Specialists, All Other	110	$76,380	$83,150	0.58	0.68
Firefighters	760	$81,070	$82,830	4.06	1.82
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers	500	$91,200	$93,430	2.68	0.51
First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services	160	$57,060	$62,050	0.87	1.31
First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers	1,240	$62,030	$62,640	6.67	37.07
First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers	220	$107,830	$120,220	1.19	1.87
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers	1,450	$48,220	$55,210	7.80	0.99
First-Line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers	310	$58,200	$59,320	1.67	1.45
First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers	230	$78,730	$76,710	1.22	1.45
First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers	500	$91,850	$94,190	2.70	0.68
First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers	150	$78,790	$84,980	0.83	0.60
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers	1,230	$74,010	$75,820	6.59	0.71
First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers	90	$57,360	$59,410	0.47	0.65
First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives	150	$153,930	$155,230	0.83	0.83
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers	530	$69,920	$74,100	2.84	0.66
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers	1,190	$55,380	$56,690	6.37	0.88
First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors	630	$58,080	$63,300	3.37	0.84
Floral Designers	40	$49,220	$62,210	0.22	0.84
Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders	300	$46,650	$44,160	1.62	12.36
Food Batchmakers	230	$36,790	$39,420	1.23	1.09
Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other	330	$36,440	$42,430	1.77	3.25
Food Preparation Workers	1,180	$38,480	$41,130	6.34	1.10
Food Processing Workers, All Other	260	$37,250	$38,010	1.41	3.37
Food Science Technicians	50	$52,870	$55,600	0.25	2.66
Food Scientists and Technologists	30	$90,080	$93,080	0.18	2.20
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant	400	$38,660	$42,430	2.14	1.13
Food Service Managers	310	$79,170	$86,290	1.66	1.09
Forest and Conservation Technicians	120	$59,920	$63,760	0.67	3.42
Forest and Conservation Workers	50	$43,680	$47,740	0.25	6.53
Fundraisers	130	$73,320	$77,220	0.69	0.96
Fundraising Managers	60	$139,240	$155,410	0.30	1.21
General and Operations Managers	2,600	$105,680	$130,360	13.95	0.62
Glaziers	100	$65,380	$77,280	0.51	1.36
Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products	520	$37,340	$38,000	2.77	17.13
Graphic Designers	80	$66,940	$73,390	0.44	0.35
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists	170	$37,970	$46,560	0.90	0.46
Hazardous Materials Removal Workers	100	$49,390	$55,610	0.52	1.55
Health Education Specialists	130	$62,760	$72,390	0.72	1.69
Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other	200	$58,530	$65,470	1.05	0.90
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers, All Other	30	$61,630	$77,100	0.17	0.75
Healthcare Social Workers	140	$92,540	$92,170	0.73	0.61
Healthcare Support Workers, All Other	120	$54,310	$56,980	0.65	0.92
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers	300	$72,550	$80,530	1.59	0.60
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers	2,140	$53,390	$56,250	11.49	0.87
Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters	50	$54,570	$55,570	0.28	3.09
Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers	110	$44,130	$44,760	0.61	0.99
Helpers--Production Workers	130	$46,030	$48,820	0.69	0.65
Helpers--Roofers	30	$55,470	$56,980	0.16	4.19
Highway Maintenance Workers	160	$64,160	$64,440	0.84	0.84
Home Health and Personal Care Aides	6,740	$34,320	$35,570	36.17	1.31
Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop	610	$36,380	$39,940	3.29	1.18
Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks	850	$38,320	$43,310	4.58	2.72
Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping	130	$53,000	$52,790	0.69	1.18
Human Resources Managers	150	$150,390	$156,940	0.79	0.56
Human Resources Specialists	630	$80,100	$88,270	3.38	0.58
Industrial Engineers	60	$95,100	$106,140	0.30	0.13
Industrial Machinery Mechanics	350	$71,490	$72,100	1.90	0.67
Industrial Production Managers	160	$129,360	$136,270	0.88	0.56
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators	1,290	$43,370	$43,930	6.94	1.39
Information and Record Clerks, All Other	280	$61,230	$62,770	1.49	1.72
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers	450	$44,500	$47,350	2.43	0.63
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other	190	$50,780	$55,980	1.01	0.89
Instructional Coordinators	240	$94,850	$99,790	1.28	0.88
Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks	50	$57,020	$57,970	0.26	0.19
Insurance Sales Agents	240	$70,220	$70,600	1.28	0.41
Interior Designers	60	$70,630	$84,840	0.31	0.68
Interpreters and Translators	560	$62,720	$75,080	3.00	8.97
Interviewers, Except Eligibility and Loan	140	$51,510	$56,140	0.75	0.79
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners	1,890	$43,570	$45,420	10.11	0.71
Labor Relations Specialists	50	$100,810	$104,220	0.24	0.58
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand	3,890	$39,110	$42,150	20.87	1.10
Landscape Architects	40	$63,520	$77,810	0.22	1.73
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers	1,590	$46,550	$48,190	8.51	1.39
Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers	300	$38,230	$40,300	1.59	1.25
Lawyers	380	$166,940	$178,560	2.02	0.42
Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants	80	$75,150	$75,190	0.46	0.45
Legal Support Workers, All Other	—	$85,360	$93,700	—	—
Librarians and Media Collections Specialists	150	$76,080	$82,550	0.81	0.94
Library Assistants, Clerical	140	$43,390	$49,680	0.73	1.33
Library Technicians	80	$53,460	$54,990	0.42	0.96
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses	710	$80,910	$81,790	3.82	0.92
Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other	40	$63,510	$69,740	0.24	0.50
Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers	250	$34,620	$37,330	1.35	1.33
Light Truck Drivers	610	$45,970	$52,220	3.27	0.52
Loan Interviewers and Clerks	60	$65,160	$65,410	0.30	0.28
Loan Officers	140	$95,640	$103,980	0.74	0.42
Locker Room, Coatroom, and Dressing Room Attendants	50	$54,880	$51,330	0.25	2.49
Lodging Managers	130	$76,080	$91,120	0.68	2.49
Logisticians	140	$82,820	$89,920	0.75	0.47
Machinists	90	$56,490	$62,140	0.47	0.25
Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners	1,890	$38,810	$43,330	10.14	1.83
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General	1,550	$50,760	$56,090	8.33	0.85
Maintenance Workers, Machinery	40	$59,810	$59,570	0.22	0.57
Management Analysts	720	$102,640	$105,350	3.84	0.66
Managers, All Other	400	$131,050	$143,760	2.17	0.54
Manicurists and Pedicurists	250	$36,630	$40,730	1.36	1.38
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists	540	$70,440	$77,760	2.89	0.50
Marketing Managers	130	$155,940	$162,640	0.71	0.28
Marriage and Family Therapists	140	$65,930	$78,570	0.73	1.69
Massage Therapists	240	$61,400	$75,230	1.28	2.02
Material Moving Workers, All Other	50	$40,720	$42,480	0.29	1.93
Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers	50	$37,630	$38,560	0.25	0.27
Mechanical Engineers	70	$132,560	$128,240	0.37	0.19
Media and Communication Equipment Workers, All Other	40	$132,930	$127,770	0.23	2.92
Medical and Health Services Managers	510	$140,610	$153,160	2.76	0.72
Medical Assistants	1,080	$48,890	$50,170	5.81	1.10
Medical Equipment Preparers	70	$60,490	$59,580	0.39	0.79
Medical Records Specialists	190	$57,880	$60,650	1.01	0.81
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists	100	$138,590	$132,800	0.53	0.48
Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants	950	$49,630	$52,540	5.10	0.82
Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners	200	$65,460	$71,780	1.05	1.14
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers	100	$97,200	$93,880	0.54	0.63
Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers	80	$48,630	$49,550	0.44	0.41
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators	380	$44,000	$46,440	2.03	0.22
Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	40	$42,250	$51,380	0.22	0.37
Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines	210	$79,160	$76,820	1.13	1.00
Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic	40	$51,320	$51,950	0.22	1.01
Motor Vehicle Operators, All Other	50	$71,140	$62,820	0.26	0.85
Natural Sciences Managers	40	$171,290	$175,560	0.21	0.31
Network and Computer Systems Administrators	150	$98,340	$101,360	0.80	0.40
Nurse Practitioners	140	$166,090	$170,650	0.78	0.37
Nursing Assistants	1,070	$48,870	$49,390	5.75	0.62
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists	120	$99,770	$102,230	0.66	0.73
Occupational Therapists	110	$123,180	$122,370	0.60	0.57
Office and Administrative Support Workers, All Other	190	$47,420	$56,450	1.01	0.82
Office Clerks, General	2,790	$48,340	$50,910	14.99	0.95
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators	340	$80,320	$90,350	1.84	0.60
Operations Research Analysts	40	$97,410	$102,420	0.21	0.30
Opticians, Dispensing	50	$55,140	$57,190	0.29	0.61
Optometrists	60	$133,350	$137,560	0.31	1.12
Order Clerks	50	$44,030	$48,360	0.29	0.59
Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics	50	$58,310	$60,720	0.26	1.13
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders	1,070	$44,660	$44,940	5.74	2.36
Packers and Packagers, Hand	2,700	$35,480	$37,090	14.47	4.02
Painters, Construction and Maintenance	520	$60,860	$60,440	2.80	1.93
Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	250	$38,140	$46,720	1.36	2.21
Paralegals and Legal Assistants	230	$63,950	$74,060	1.22	0.48
Paramedics	50	$80,710	$88,690	0.29	0.45
Parking Attendants	150	$36,890	$43,870	0.78	0.88
Parking Enforcement Workers	30	$62,850	$66,180	0.17	3.01
Parts Salespersons	340	$44,350	$47,620	1.82	1.05
Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks	270	$59,530	$60,410	1.47	1.49
Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other	50	$50,910	$53,980	0.27	0.70
Personal Financial Advisors	110	$104,430	$146,330	0.57	0.33
Pest Control Workers	130	$47,860	$49,420	0.69	1.04
Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation	220	$41,540	$43,560	1.17	6.74
Pharmacists	260	$166,470	$164,590	1.41	0.68
Pharmacy Aides	110	$38,050	$41,450	0.62	2.42
Pharmacy Technicians	360	$57,180	$56,360	1.95	0.64
Phlebotomists	110	$52,940	$55,510	0.59	0.64
Physical Therapist Aides	60	$38,810	$41,300	0.30	0.96
Physical Therapist Assistants	70	$84,850	$84,930	0.38	0.52
Physical Therapists	190	$127,120	$122,100	1.03	0.60
Physician Assistants	130	$170,180	$202,320	0.68	0.65
Physicians, All Other	250	$384,990	$298,990	1.34	0.61
Plasterers and Stucco Masons	80	$64,330	$65,680	0.42	3.41
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters	320	$64,440	$72,700	1.71	0.57
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers	930	$118,220	$111,650	4.96	1.15
Postal Service Clerks	80	$63,650	$64,070	0.44	0.93
Postal Service Mail Carriers	280	$64,250	$65,360	1.52	0.72
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education	600	$47,280	$52,530	3.22	1.05
Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials	90	$38,350	$40,240	0.46	2.76
Procurement Clerks	60	$64,520	$62,920	0.32	0.90
Producers and Directors	100	$87,900	$115,510	0.54	0.59
Production Workers, All Other	130	$37,040	$42,730	0.70	0.43
Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks	280	$59,810	$63,980	1.49	0.59
Project Management Specialists	490	$102,400	$108,220	2.62	0.38
Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers	410	$61,900	$75,340	2.20	1.10
Protective Service Workers, All Other	350	$37,050	$41,750	1.90	3.62
Psychiatrists	40	$178,630	$258,960	0.20	1.13
Public Relations Managers	40	$130,440	$137,200	0.21	0.44
Public Relations Specialists	190	$78,960	$86,900	1.03	0.57
Purchasing Managers	30	$158,550	$158,190	0.18	0.34
Radiologic Technologists and Technicians	150	$102,330	$102,060	0.82	0.55
Real Estate Sales Agents	150	$61,900	$77,560	0.81	0.65
Receptionists and Information Clerks	620	$43,300	$44,000	3.31	0.56
Recreation Workers	550	$38,260	$41,800	2.94	1.38
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors	90	$69,210	$62,500	0.48	0.51
Registered Nurses	3,180	$134,910	$138,810	17.07	0.79
Rehabilitation Counselors	170	$36,310	$42,610	0.91	1.49
Residential Advisors	30	$49,580	$53,610	0.18	0.32
Retail Salespersons	4,110	$37,970	$42,390	22.07	0.88
Roofers	240	$61,530	$64,130	1.30	1.49
Sales and Related Workers, All Other	170	$55,430	$66,420	0.91	1.52
Sales Managers	800	$103,810	$131,810	4.29	1.05
Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel	830	$53,140	$70,450	4.43	0.55
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products	930	$80,510	$96,000	5.01	0.63
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products	50	$91,850	$100,340	0.29	0.16
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education	1,200	$101,590	$99,410	6.42	0.94
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive	1,500	$57,340	$57,800	8.04	0.73
Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents	330	$74,550	$89,810	1.76	0.56
Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers	40	$63,980	$66,870	0.22	0.39
Security Guards	1,520	$38,700	$43,730	8.17	0.99
Self-Enrichment Teachers	470	$49,920	$62,920	2.52	1.18
Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	150	$52,320	$59,610	0.79	2.03
Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners	60	$48,770	$53,120	0.32	1.64
Sheet Metal Workers	60	$83,470	$93,110	0.31	0.40
Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks	630	$45,920	$48,170	3.36	0.64
Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs	410	$42,310	$44,920	2.18	1.36
Skincare Specialists	90	$50,640	$66,030	0.51	1.08
Social and Community Service Managers	250	$85,640	$96,750	1.36	1.01
Social and Human Service Assistants	550	$50,630	$58,690	2.93	1.04
Social Workers, All Other	70	$62,330	$80,750	0.40	0.99
Software Developers	290	$135,160	$140,500	1.56	0.14
Soil and Plant Scientists	30	$115,910	$111,560	0.17	1.71
Solar Photovoltaic Installers	—	$62,260	$65,860	—	—
Special Education Teachers, All Other	200	$112,900	$107,370	1.07	4.89
Special Education Teachers, Middle School	40	$100,840	$99,280	0.21	0.35
Special Education Teachers, Secondary School	150	$100,450	$96,220	0.80	0.76
Speech-Language Pathologists	200	$122,770	$123,560	1.08	0.92
Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators	120	$66,440	$78,980	0.63	3.48
Stockers and Order Fillers	1,860	$39,200	$42,810	10.00	0.55
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors	620	$73,940	$73,390	3.35	1.06
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term	1,220	$63,970	$63,550	6.55	1.94
Surgical Technologists	120	$72,780	$76,790	0.62	0.83
Surveyors	40	$101,120	$105,190	0.19	0.58
Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service	90	$48,840	$48,480	0.48	2.16
Tax Preparers	90	$63,060	$68,190	0.46	0.93
Teachers and Instructors, All Other	2,170	$113,360	$123,230	11.64	15.90
Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary	2,290	$48,030	$49,070	12.29	1.34
Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers	90	$77,890	$79,080	0.48	0.52
Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers	50	$100,970	$97,160	0.25	0.39
Tellers	220	$47,200	$47,760	1.21	0.57
Tile and Stone Setters	140	$58,430	$67,340	0.75	3.25
Tire Repairers and Changers	140	$38,230	$43,410	0.74	1.06
Tour and Travel Guides	120	$46,130	$45,760	0.64	1.86
Training and Development Specialists	290	$66,030	$76,550	1.56	0.53
Transportation Security Screeners	40	$78,940	$73,510	0.21	0.65
Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers	190	$110,050	$121,420	0.99	0.70
Tree Trimmers and Pruners	80	$60,070	$56,560	0.44	1.23
Tutors	330	$39,800	$43,220	1.76	1.56
Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials	50	$40,880	$44,730	0.27	2.64
Urban and Regional Planners	100	$125,300	$119,470	0.55	1.92
Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers	160	$36,390	$38,550	0.87	1.11
Veterinarians	120	$163,080	$162,530	0.62	1.16
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers	160	$46,990	$46,350	0.84	1.03
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians	130	$61,330	$61,000	0.69	0.83
Waiters and Waitresses	3,100	$35,540	$45,820	16.61	1.14
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators	190	$77,920	$87,210	1.01	1.22
Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers, Recordkeeping	140	$40,630	$47,000	0.74	2.17
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers	200	$58,240	$61,120	1.09	0.41
Word Processors and Typists	80	$57,590	$56,580	0.41	1.83
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists	50	$84,900	$86,020	0.29	2.50

Colleges in this area

9 colleges in the federal directory have a campus in this area, listed alphabetically; MajorPays does not rank colleges. Each name links to the college’s profile.

College	Type	Level	Students, fall 2024
California State University-Monterey Bay	Public	4-year or above	7,713
Central Coast College	Private for-profit	2-year	631
CET-Salinas	Private nonprofit	Less than 2-year	171
CET-Soledad	Private nonprofit	Less than 2-year	155
Hartnell College	Public	2-year	11,273
Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey	Private nonprofit	4-year or above	526
Monterey Peninsula College	Public	2-year	7,173
Naval Postgraduate School	Public	4-year or above	2,441
Waynes College of Beauty	Private for-profit	Less than 2-year	46

Source: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, IPEDS directory (HD 2024, core-based statistical area of the campus) and Fall Enrollment 2024 (total headcount). A count of students is the size of the college, not its quality; the Department has not endorsed this presentation.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, metropolitan area estimates (cross-industry, all ownerships). Wages are pay for all workers in an occupation in this area, not any one person or employer; a dash means BLS does not publish the figure (often to protect privacy or because the estimate is unreliable), and “or more” marks a wage at or above BLS’s top reporting limit. Concentration is the BLS location quotient: the occupation's share of jobs in this area divided by its share nationally (1.00 = the same share as the U.S.; above 1.00 = a larger share); it says nothing about pay or openings. Jobs per 1,000 is the occupation's jobs per 1,000 jobs of all kinds in this area. Occupations that BLS reports only as hourly wages are not listed, and BLS shows some wages above its top limit as plain numbers while others read “or more”. Occupations are listed alphabetically; click a heading to sort. MajorPays does not rank places or occupations. MajorPays selected and reorganized these figures; the Bureau of Labor Statistics has not approved or endorsed this presentation. MajorPays does not provide advice. See Data sources.

Explore more: all metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas · salary by state · careers