Glendale Hourly Wage & Salary 2026
Glendale, CA: $25.51/hr median hourly wage, $53,066 median annual salary, cost of living index 162.4, and $16.00/hr minimum wage. Calculate take-home pay with federal and California taxes.
Glendale Hourly Wage Quick Answer
The median hourly wage in Glendale, CA is $25.51/hr, equivalent to $53,066 per year at 2,080 work hours. Entry-level pay estimates around $15.82/hr, senior-level pay estimates around $36.22/hr, and the local minimum wage is $16.00/hr.
Median Salary
$53,066
$25.51/hr
Cost of Living
162.4
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$16.00
per hour
Unemployment
5.2%
rate
Glendale, CA Overview
Population
196,543
Median Salary
$53,066
Average Salary
$59,434
Avg Commute
23 min
Median Home Price
$890,000
Median Rent
$3,658/mo
Job Growth
+2.9%
Sales Tax
7.25%
Glendale is located in California with a population of 196,543. The median household salary is $53,066 per year ($25.51/hour), which is $6,318 below the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 23 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +2.9%.
Glendale Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Glendale, CA based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $53,066 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 | $32,901 | $15.82/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $53,066 | $25.51/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $75,354 | $36.22/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $94,457 | $45.41/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.
Glendale Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Glendale, CA, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$39,883
$3,323.62/month · $1,533.98/biweekly · Effective Rate: 24.8%
Gross Pay
$53,066
Federal Tax
-$4,188
State Tax
-$4,935
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$4,060
Net Pay
$39,883
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $4,422.17 | $53,066.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$348.99 | -$4,187.92 |
| California State Tax (9.3%) | -$411.26 | -$4,935.14 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$274.17 | -$3,290.09 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$64.12 | -$769.46 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $3,323.62 | $39,883.39 |
Salary Comparison: Glendale vs Other Cities
See how Glendale's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glendale, CA | $53,066 | 162.4 | $32,676 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Hendersonville, TN | $53,072 | 88.4 | $60,036 |
| Apex, NC | $53,093 | 99.6 | $53,306 |
| Garden Grove, CA | $53,021 | 150.3 | $35,277 |
| Navarre, FL | $53,116 | 100 | $53,116 |
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 Glendale
Glendale's cost of living index is 162.4 (national average = 100). Living in Glendale is 62.400000000000006% more expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$890,000
Median Monthly Rent
$3,658
Annual Rent Cost
$43,896
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $39,883 annual take-home pay in Glendale has the purchasing power of approximately $24,559 in an average-cost US area. You would need to earn $86,179 in Glendale to match a $53,066 salary in an average-cost city.
Top Industries in Glendale
Glendale's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $53,066.
Salary Tips for Glendale Workers
- Negotiate for cost of living. Glendale has a cost of living 62.400000000000006% 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. Glendale's top industries include Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $53,066 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 Glendale salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Glendale-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 Glendale indexed at 162.4.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Glendale's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $53,066 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 Glendale: 5.2%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 2.9% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for California.
- Housing context: median home price $890,000, median rent $3,658/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Glendale, CA:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Glendale unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Glendale 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. Glendale'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 Glendale, CA?
The median hourly wage in Glendale, CA is $25.51 per hour. At a standard 2,080-hour work year, that equals about $53,066 per year. Entry-level workers are estimated around $15.82/hr, while senior-level workers are estimated around $36.22/hr before overtime, bonuses, or benefits.
What is the median salary in Glendale, CA?
The median salary in Glendale, CA is $53,066 per year, or $25.51 per hour. The average salary is $59,434. This is $6,318 below the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Glendale, CA?
Glendale's cost of living index is 162.4 (national average = 100), meaning it is 62.400000000000006% more expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $890,000 and the median monthly rent is $3,658.
What are the best industries in Glendale?
The top industries in Glendale, CA include Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture. The city has a job growth rate of 2.9% and an unemployment rate of 5.2%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $53,066.
How does Glendale's salary compare to other cities?
Glendale's median salary of $53,066 is 10.6% below the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 162.4), the real purchasing power is approximately $32,676.
What is the minimum wage in Glendale, CA?
The minimum wage in Glendale, 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.