Burlingame Hourly Wage & Salary 2026
Burlingame, CA: $29.62/hr median hourly wage, $61,606 median annual salary, cost of living index 147.8, and $16.00/hr minimum wage. Calculate take-home pay with federal and California taxes.
Burlingame Hourly Wage Quick Answer
The median hourly wage in Burlingame, CA is $29.62/hr, equivalent to $61,606 per year at 2,080 work hours. Entry-level pay estimates around $18.36/hr, senior-level pay estimates around $42.06/hr, and the local minimum wage is $16.00/hr.
Median Salary
$61,606
$29.62/hr
Cost of Living
147.8
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$16.00
per hour
Unemployment
4.5%
rate
Burlingame, CA Overview
Population
30,576
Median Salary
$61,606
Average Salary
$68,999
Avg Commute
18 min
Median Home Price
$780,000
Median Rent
$3,135/mo
Job Growth
+1.7%
Sales Tax
7.25%
Burlingame is located in California with a population of 30,576. The median household salary is $61,606 per year ($29.62/hour), which is $2,222 above the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 18 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +1.7%.
Burlingame Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Burlingame, CA based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $61,606 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 | $38,196 | $18.36/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $61,606 | $29.62/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $87,481 | $42.06/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $109,659 | $52.72/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.
Burlingame Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Burlingame, CA, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$45,951
$3,829.26/month · $1,767.35/biweekly · Effective Rate: 25.4%
Gross Pay
$61,606
Federal Tax
-$5,213
State Tax
-$5,729
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$4,713
Net Pay
$45,951
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $5,133.83 | $61,606.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$434.39 | -$5,212.72 |
| California State Tax (9.3%) | -$477.45 | -$5,729.36 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$318.30 | -$3,819.57 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$74.44 | -$893.29 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $3,829.26 | $45,951.06 |
Salary Comparison: Burlingame vs Other Cities
See how Burlingame's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burlingame, CA | $61,606 | 147.8 | $41,682 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| West Sacramento, CA | $61,657 | 140 | $44,041 |
| Centereach, NY | $61,523 | 121 | $50,845 |
| Cheshire, CT | $61,689 | 109.9 | $56,132 |
| Pikesville, MD | $61,696 | 105.4 | $58,535 |
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 Burlingame
Burlingame's cost of living index is 147.8 (national average = 100). Living in Burlingame is 47.80000000000001% more expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$780,000
Median Monthly Rent
$3,135
Annual Rent Cost
$37,620
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $45,951 annual take-home pay in Burlingame has the purchasing power of approximately $31,090 in an average-cost US area. You would need to earn $91,054 in Burlingame to match a $61,606 salary in an average-cost city.
Top Industries in Burlingame
Burlingame's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $61,606.
Salary Tips for Burlingame Workers
- Negotiate for cost of living. Burlingame has a cost of living 47.80000000000001% 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. Burlingame's top industries include Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $61,606 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 Burlingame salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Burlingame-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 Burlingame indexed at 147.8.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Burlingame's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $61,606 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 Burlingame: 4.5%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 1.7% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for California.
- Housing context: median home price $780,000, median rent $3,135/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Burlingame, CA:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Burlingame unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Burlingame 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. Burlingame'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 hourly wage in Burlingame, CA?
The median hourly wage in Burlingame, CA is $29.62 per hour. At a standard 2,080-hour work year, that equals about $61,606 per year. Entry-level workers are estimated around $18.36/hr, while senior-level workers are estimated around $42.06/hr before overtime, bonuses, or benefits.
What is the median salary in Burlingame, CA?
The median salary in Burlingame, CA is $61,606 per year, or $29.62 per hour. The average salary is $68,999. This is $2,222 above the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Burlingame, CA?
Burlingame's cost of living index is 147.8 (national average = 100), meaning it is 47.80000000000001% more expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $780,000 and the median monthly rent is $3,135.
What are the best industries in Burlingame?
The top industries in Burlingame, CA include Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture. The city has a job growth rate of 1.7% and an unemployment rate of 4.5%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $61,606.
How does Burlingame's salary compare to other cities?
Burlingame's median salary of $61,606 is 3.7% above the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 147.8), the real purchasing power is approximately $41,682.
What is the minimum wage in Burlingame, CA?
The minimum wage in Burlingame, 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.