Foster City Hourly Wage & Salary 2026
Foster City, CA: $33.75/hr median hourly wage, $70,209 median annual salary, cost of living index 153.1, and $16.00/hr minimum wage. Calculate take-home pay with federal and California taxes.
Foster City Hourly Wage Quick Answer
The median hourly wage in Foster City, CA is $33.75/hr, equivalent to $70,209 per year at 2,080 work hours. Entry-level pay estimates around $20.93/hr, senior-level pay estimates around $47.92/hr, and the local minimum wage is $16.00/hr.
Median Salary
$70,209
$33.75/hr
Cost of Living
153.1
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$16.00
per hour
Unemployment
5%
rate
Foster City, CA Overview
Population
33,901
Median Salary
$70,209
Average Salary
$78,634
Avg Commute
20 min
Median Home Price
$781,000
Median Rent
$3,141/mo
Job Growth
+1.8%
Sales Tax
7.25%
Foster City is located in California with a population of 33,901. The median household salary is $70,209 per year ($33.75/hour), which is $10,825 above the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 20 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +1.8%.
Foster City Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Foster City, CA based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $70,209 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 | $43,530 | $20.93/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $70,209 | $33.75/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $99,697 | $47.92/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $124,972 | $60.08/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.
Foster City Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Foster City, CA, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$51,693
$4,307.72/month · $1,988.18/biweekly · Effective Rate: 26.4%
Biweekly paycheck estimate: this salary equals about $1,988.18 take-home per paycheck after estimated California and federal taxes. For the 26-paycheck formula, three-paycheck months, and withholding examples, see the Biweekly Paycheck Calculator.
Gross Pay
$70,209
Federal Tax
-$6,616
State Tax
-$6,529
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$5,371
Net Pay
$51,693
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $5,850.75 | $70,209.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$551.33 | -$6,615.98 |
| California State Tax (9.3%) | -$544.12 | -$6,529.44 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$362.75 | -$4,352.96 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$84.84 | -$1,018.03 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $4,307.72 | $51,692.59 |
Salary Comparison: Foster City vs Other Cities
See how Foster City's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foster City, CA | $70,209 | 153.1 | $45,858 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Davis, CA | $70,210 | 156.9 | $44,748 |
| Lakewood, CO | $70,200 | 110 | $63,818 |
| Holyoke, MA | $70,225 | 131.6 | $53,362 |
| Westfield, MA | $70,227 | 132.2 | $53,122 |
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 Foster City
Foster City's cost of living index is 153.1 (national average = 100). Living in Foster City is 53.099999999999994% more expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$781,000
Median Monthly Rent
$3,141
Annual Rent Cost
$37,692
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $51,693 annual take-home pay in Foster City has the purchasing power of approximately $33,764 in an average-cost US area. You would need to earn $107,490 in Foster City to match a $70,209 salary in an average-cost city.
Top Industries in Foster City
Foster City's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $70,209.
Salary Tips for Foster City Workers
- Negotiate for cost of living. Foster City has a cost of living 53.099999999999994% 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. Foster City's top industries include Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $70,209 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 Foster City salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Foster City-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 Foster City indexed at 153.1.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Foster City's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $70,209 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 Foster City: 5%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 1.8% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for California.
- Housing context: median home price $781,000, median rent $3,141/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Foster City, CA:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Foster City unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Foster City 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. Foster City'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 Foster City, CA?
The median hourly wage in Foster City, CA is $33.75 per hour. At a standard 2,080-hour work year, that equals about $70,209 per year. Entry-level workers are estimated around $20.93/hr, while senior-level workers are estimated around $47.92/hr before overtime, bonuses, or benefits.
What is the median salary in Foster City, CA?
The median salary in Foster City, CA is $70,209 per year, or $33.75 per hour. The average salary is $78,634. This is $10,825 above the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Foster City, CA?
Foster City's cost of living index is 153.1 (national average = 100), meaning it is 53.099999999999994% more expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $781,000 and the median monthly rent is $3,141.
What are the best industries in Foster City?
The top industries in Foster City, CA include Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture. The city has a job growth rate of 1.8% and an unemployment rate of 5%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $70,209.
How does Foster City's salary compare to other cities?
Foster City's median salary of $70,209 is 18.2% above the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 153.1), the real purchasing power is approximately $45,858.
What is the minimum wage in Foster City, CA?
The minimum wage in Foster City, 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.