Salary & Cost of Living in Brea, CA
Brea, CA: $69,220 median salary, cost of living index 153, $16.00/hr minimum wage. Calculate your take-home pay with our free paycheck calculator.
Median Salary
$69,220
$33/hr
Cost of Living
153
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$16.00
per hour
Unemployment
4.6%
rate
Brea, CA Overview
Population
47,325
Median Salary
$69,220
Average Salary
$77,526
Avg Commute
20 min
Median Home Price
$747,000
Median Rent
$3,012/mo
Job Growth
+0.9%
Sales Tax
7.25%
Brea is located in California with a population of 47,325. The median household salary is $69,220 per year ($33/hour), which is $9,836 above the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 20 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +0.9%.
Brea Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Brea, CA based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $69,220 median salary. Entry-level represents 10th–25th percentile; mid-level is the median; senior-level represents 75th–90th percentile.
| Experience Level | Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | Years Exp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | $42,916 | $20.63/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $69,220 | $33.28/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $98,292 | $47.26/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $123,212 | $59.24/hr | 15+ years / leadership |
Percentile multipliers (62%, 100%, 142%, 178%) derived from 2024 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics distribution across all occupations in metro areas. Specific roles vary; see jobs by city for role-specific data.
Brea Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Brea, CA, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$50,645
$4,220.40/month · $1,947.88/biweekly · Effective Rate: 26.8%
Gross Pay
$69,220
Federal Tax
-$6,842
State Tax
-$6,437
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$5,295
Net Pay
$50,645
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $5,768.33 | $69,220.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$570.20 | -$6,842.40 |
| California State Tax (9.3%) | -$536.46 | -$6,437.46 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$357.64 | -$4,291.64 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$83.64 | -$1,003.69 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $4,220.40 | $50,644.81 |
Salary Comparison: Brea vs Other Cities
See how Brea's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brea, CA | $69,220 | 153 | $45,242 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Delano, CA | $69,234 | 148.9 | $46,497 |
| Arcadia, CA | $69,246 | 155.3 | $44,589 |
| Randolph, MA | $69,190 | 120.7 | $57,324 |
| Hackensack, NJ | $69,300 | 118.4 | $58,530 |
Adjusted salary reflects purchasing power when cost of living is factored in. A higher adjusted salary means your money goes further.
Cost of Living in Brea
Brea's cost of living index is 153 (national average = 100). Living in Brea is 53% more expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$747,000
Median Monthly Rent
$3,012
Annual Rent Cost
$36,144
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $50,645 annual take-home pay in Brea has the purchasing power of approximately $33,101 in an average-cost US area. You would need to earn $105,907 in Brea to match a $69,220 salary in an average-cost city.
Top Industries in Brea
Brea's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $69,220.
Salary Tips for Brea Workers
- Negotiate for cost of living. Brea has a cost of living 53% above the national average. When negotiating salary, factor in the higher housing and living costs to ensure your real purchasing power stays competitive.
- Maximize pre-tax deductions. With a 9.3% state income tax rate, maximizing 401(k) contributions (up to $24,500 in 2026) and HSA contributions can significantly reduce both your federal and state tax burden.
- Research top industries. Brea's top industries include Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $69,220 median salary.
- Review your W-4 withholding. If you regularly receive large tax refunds, adjust your W-4 to increase your per-paycheck take-home pay instead of giving the government an interest-free loan.
Methodology & Local Economy Data Sources
How we calculate Brea salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Brea-CA metropolitan statistical area (MSA), weighted by local employment counts. Cost-of-living adjustments use the C2ER Cost of Living Index baseline of 100 (national average), with Brea indexed at 153.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Brea's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $69,220 annual median.
- Tax burden reflects California state income tax (9.3%) (no local income tax), sales tax (7.25%), and federal taxes per IRS 2026 brackets.
- Unemployment rate for Brea: 4.6%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 0.9% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for California.
- Housing context: median home price $747,000, median rent $3,012/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Brea, CA:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Brea unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Brea QuickFacts — population, housing, demographics
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) — county-level industry employment
- BLS Economy at a Glance — California — state economic indicators
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) — local GDP and personal income data
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation tracking
Disclaimer: Salary and cost data are estimates for general guidance. Individual compensation varies by employer, experience, education, negotiation, and skills. Brea's rapidly changing economy can shift these baselines — always verify with current job listings, employer offers, and recent California labor market reports for the most current figures.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk· Last updated 2026 · BLS & Census data current as of latest releases
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median salary in Brea, CA?
The median salary in Brea, CA is $69,220 per year, or $33 per hour. The average salary is $77,526. This is $9,836 above the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Brea, CA?
Brea's cost of living index is 153 (national average = 100), meaning it is 53% more expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $747,000 and the median monthly rent is $3,012.
What are the best industries in Brea?
The top industries in Brea, CA include Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture. The city has a job growth rate of 0.9% and an unemployment rate of 4.6%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $69,220.
How does Brea's salary compare to other cities?
Brea's median salary of $69,220 is 16.6% above the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 153), the real purchasing power is approximately $45,242.
What is the minimum wage in Brea, CA?
The minimum wage in Brea, CA is $16.00 per hour. This equals approximately $33,280 per year for a full-time worker (40 hours/week). This is $8.75 above the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour.