Hawthorne Hourly Wage & Salary 2026
Hawthorne, CA: $28.94/hr median hourly wage, $60,197 median annual salary, cost of living index 150.6, and $16.00/hr minimum wage. Calculate take-home pay with federal and California taxes.
Hawthorne Hourly Wage Quick Answer
The median hourly wage in Hawthorne, CA is $28.94/hr, equivalent to $60,197 per year at 2,080 work hours. Entry-level pay estimates around $17.94/hr, senior-level pay estimates around $41.09/hr, and the local minimum wage is $16.00/hr.
Median Salary
$60,197
$28.94/hr
Cost of Living
150.6
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$16.00
per hour
Unemployment
5%
rate
Hawthorne, CA Overview
Population
88,083
Median Salary
$60,197
Average Salary
$67,421
Avg Commute
17 min
Median Home Price
$683,000
Median Rent
$2,776/mo
Job Growth
+2.4%
Sales Tax
7.25%
Hawthorne is located in California with a population of 88,083. The median household salary is $60,197 per year ($28.94/hour), which is $813 above the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 17 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +2.4%.
Hawthorne Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Hawthorne, CA based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $60,197 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 | $37,322 | $17.94/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $60,197 | $28.94/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $85,480 | $41.09/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $107,151 | $51.51/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.
Hawthorne Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Hawthorne, CA, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$44,950
$3,745.83/month · $1,728.84/biweekly · Effective Rate: 25.3%
Gross Pay
$60,197
Federal Tax
-$5,044
State Tax
-$5,598
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$4,605
Net Pay
$44,950
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $5,016.42 | $60,197.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$420.30 | -$5,043.64 |
| California State Tax (9.3%) | -$466.53 | -$5,598.32 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$311.02 | -$3,732.21 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$72.74 | -$872.86 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $3,745.83 | $44,949.97 |
Salary Comparison: Hawthorne vs Other Cities
See how Hawthorne's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawthorne, CA | $60,197 | 150.6 | $39,971 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Clarkstown, NY | $60,194 | 139.6 | $43,119 |
| Hoffman Estates, IL | $60,206 | 96.5 | $62,390 |
| Burien, WA | $60,208 | 119 | $50,595 |
| Lancaster, NY | $60,183 | 132.5 | $45,421 |
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 Hawthorne
Hawthorne's cost of living index is 150.6 (national average = 100). Living in Hawthorne is 50.599999999999994% more expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$683,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,776
Annual Rent Cost
$33,312
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $44,950 annual take-home pay in Hawthorne has the purchasing power of approximately $29,847 in an average-cost US area. You would need to earn $90,657 in Hawthorne to match a $60,197 salary in an average-cost city.
Top Industries in Hawthorne
Hawthorne's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $60,197.
Salary Tips for Hawthorne Workers
- Negotiate for cost of living. Hawthorne has a cost of living 50.599999999999994% 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. Hawthorne's top industries include Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $60,197 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 Hawthorne salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Hawthorne-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 Hawthorne indexed at 150.6.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Hawthorne's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $60,197 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 Hawthorne: 5%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 2.4% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for California.
- Housing context: median home price $683,000, median rent $2,776/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Hawthorne, CA:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Hawthorne unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Hawthorne 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. Hawthorne'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 Hawthorne, CA?
The median hourly wage in Hawthorne, CA is $28.94 per hour. At a standard 2,080-hour work year, that equals about $60,197 per year. Entry-level workers are estimated around $17.94/hr, while senior-level workers are estimated around $41.09/hr before overtime, bonuses, or benefits.
What is the median salary in Hawthorne, CA?
The median salary in Hawthorne, CA is $60,197 per year, or $28.94 per hour. The average salary is $67,421. This is $813 above the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Hawthorne, CA?
Hawthorne's cost of living index is 150.6 (national average = 100), meaning it is 50.599999999999994% more expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $683,000 and the median monthly rent is $2,776.
What are the best industries in Hawthorne?
The top industries in Hawthorne, CA include Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture. The city has a job growth rate of 2.4% and an unemployment rate of 5%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $60,197.
How does Hawthorne's salary compare to other cities?
Hawthorne's median salary of $60,197 is 1.4% above the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 150.6), the real purchasing power is approximately $39,971.
What is the minimum wage in Hawthorne, CA?
The minimum wage in Hawthorne, 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.