Chico Hourly Wage & Salary 2026
Chico, CA: $17.23/hr median hourly wage, $35,828 median annual salary, cost of living index 112.3, and $16.00/hr minimum wage. Calculate take-home pay with federal and California taxes.
Chico Hourly Wage Quick Answer
The median hourly wage in Chico, CA is $17.23/hr, equivalent to $35,828 per year at 2,080 work hours. Entry-level pay estimates around $10.68/hr, senior-level pay estimates around $24.47/hr, and the local minimum wage is $16.00/hr.
Median Salary
$35,828
$17.23/hr
Cost of Living
112.3
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$16.00
per hour
Unemployment
4.5%
rate
Chico, CA Overview
Population
101,475
Median Salary
$35,828
Average Salary
$40,127
Avg Commute
18 min
Median Home Price
$380,000
Median Rent
$1,571/mo
Job Growth
+1%
Sales Tax
7.25%
Chico is located in California with a population of 101,475. The median household salary is $35,828 per year ($17.23/hour), which is $23,556 below the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 18 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +1%.
Chico Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Chico, CA based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $35,828 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 | $22,213 | $10.68/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $35,828 | $17.23/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $50,876 | $24.47/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $63,774 | $30.67/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.
Chico Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Chico, CA, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$27,636
$2,302.98/month · $1,062.92/biweekly · Effective Rate: 22.9%
Gross Pay
$35,828
Federal Tax
-$2,119
State Tax
-$3,332
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$2,741
Net Pay
$27,636
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $2,985.67 | $35,828.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$176.61 | -$2,119.36 |
| California State Tax (9.3%) | -$277.67 | -$3,332.00 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$185.11 | -$2,221.34 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$43.29 | -$519.51 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $2,302.98 | $27,635.79 |
Salary Comparison: Chico vs Other Cities
See how Chico's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chico, CA | $35,828 | 112.3 | $31,904 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Yakima, WA | $35,822 | 92.5 | $38,726 |
| Yuma, AZ | $35,820 | 93.5 | $38,310 |
| Fall River, MA | $35,818 | 100.8 | $35,534 |
| Lawton, OK | $35,812 | 82.5 | $43,408 |
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 Chico
Chico's cost of living index is 112.3 (national average = 100). Living in Chico is 12.299999999999997% more expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$380,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,571
Annual Rent Cost
$18,852
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $27,636 annual take-home pay in Chico has the purchasing power of approximately $24,609 in an average-cost US area. You would need to earn $40,235 in Chico to match a $35,828 salary in an average-cost city.
Top Industries in Chico
Chico's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $35,828.
Salary Tips for Chico Workers
- 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. Chico's top industries include Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $35,828 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 Chico salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Chico-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 Chico indexed at 112.3.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Chico's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $35,828 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 Chico: 4.5%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 1% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for California.
- Housing context: median home price $380,000, median rent $1,571/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Chico, CA:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Chico unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Chico 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. Chico'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
Explore Salaries Across the US
Compare salary data and cost of living for hundreds of US cities. Find out where your paycheck goes the furthest.
Related Salary Tools
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly wage in Chico, CA?
The median hourly wage in Chico, CA is $17.23 per hour. At a standard 2,080-hour work year, that equals about $35,828 per year. Entry-level workers are estimated around $10.68/hr, while senior-level workers are estimated around $24.47/hr before overtime, bonuses, or benefits.
What is the median salary in Chico, CA?
The median salary in Chico, CA is $35,828 per year, or $17.23 per hour. The average salary is $40,127. This is $23,556 below the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Chico, CA?
Chico's cost of living index is 112.3 (national average = 100), meaning it is 12.299999999999997% more expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $380,000 and the median monthly rent is $1,571.
What are the best industries in Chico?
The top industries in Chico, CA include Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture. The city has a job growth rate of 1% and an unemployment rate of 4.5%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $35,828.
How does Chico's salary compare to other cities?
Chico's median salary of $35,828 is 39.7% below the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 112.3), the real purchasing power is approximately $31,904.
What is the minimum wage in Chico, CA?
The minimum wage in Chico, 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.