Laguna Niguel Hourly Wage & Salary 2026
Laguna Niguel, CA: $34.24/hr median hourly wage, $71,222 median annual salary, cost of living index 148, and $16.00/hr minimum wage. Calculate take-home pay with federal and California taxes.
Laguna Niguel Hourly Wage Quick Answer
The median hourly wage in Laguna Niguel, CA is $34.24/hr, equivalent to $71,222 per year at 2,080 work hours. Entry-level pay estimates around $21.23/hr, senior-level pay estimates around $48.62/hr, and the local minimum wage is $16.00/hr.
Median Salary
$71,222
$34.24/hr
Cost of Living
148
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$16.00
per hour
Unemployment
4.4%
rate
Laguna Niguel, CA Overview
Population
64,452
Median Salary
$71,222
Average Salary
$79,769
Avg Commute
20 min
Median Home Price
$724,000
Median Rent
$2,928/mo
Job Growth
+0.7%
Sales Tax
7.25%
Laguna Niguel is located in California with a population of 64,452. The median household salary is $71,222 per year ($34.24/hour), which is $11,838 above the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 20 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +0.7%.
Laguna Niguel Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Laguna Niguel, CA based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $71,222 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 | $44,158 | $21.23/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $71,222 | $34.24/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $101,135 | $48.62/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $126,775 | $60.95/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.
Laguna Niguel Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Laguna Niguel, CA, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$52,311
$4,359.25/month · $2,011.96/biweekly · Effective Rate: 26.6%
Biweekly paycheck estimate: this salary equals about $2,011.96 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
$71,222
Federal Tax
-$6,839
State Tax
-$6,624
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$5,448
Net Pay
$52,311
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $5,935.17 | $71,222.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$569.90 | -$6,838.84 |
| California State Tax (9.3%) | -$551.97 | -$6,623.65 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$367.98 | -$4,415.76 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$86.06 | -$1,032.72 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $4,359.25 | $52,311.03 |
Salary Comparison: Laguna Niguel vs Other Cities
See how Laguna Niguel's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laguna Niguel, CA | $71,222 | 148 | $48,123 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Hoover, AL | $71,200 | 96 | $74,167 |
| Randallstown, MD | $71,149 | 110.3 | $64,505 |
| Bethesda, MD | $71,145 | 116.7 | $60,964 |
| Rahway, NJ | $71,305 | 121.7 | $58,591 |
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 Laguna Niguel
Laguna Niguel's cost of living index is 148 (national average = 100). Living in Laguna Niguel is 48% more expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$724,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,928
Annual Rent Cost
$35,136
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $52,311 annual take-home pay in Laguna Niguel has the purchasing power of approximately $35,345 in an average-cost US area. You would need to earn $105,409 in Laguna Niguel to match a $71,222 salary in an average-cost city.
Top Industries in Laguna Niguel
Laguna Niguel's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $71,222.
Salary Tips for Laguna Niguel Workers
- Negotiate for cost of living. Laguna Niguel has a cost of living 48% 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. Laguna Niguel's top industries include Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $71,222 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 Laguna Niguel salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Laguna Niguel-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 Laguna Niguel indexed at 148.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Laguna Niguel's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $71,222 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 Laguna Niguel: 4.4%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 0.7% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for California.
- Housing context: median home price $724,000, median rent $2,928/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Laguna Niguel, CA:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Laguna Niguel unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Laguna Niguel 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. Laguna Niguel'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 Laguna Niguel, CA?
The median hourly wage in Laguna Niguel, CA is $34.24 per hour. At a standard 2,080-hour work year, that equals about $71,222 per year. Entry-level workers are estimated around $21.23/hr, while senior-level workers are estimated around $48.62/hr before overtime, bonuses, or benefits.
What is the median salary in Laguna Niguel, CA?
The median salary in Laguna Niguel, CA is $71,222 per year, or $34.24 per hour. The average salary is $79,769. This is $11,838 above the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Laguna Niguel, CA?
Laguna Niguel's cost of living index is 148 (national average = 100), meaning it is 48% more expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $724,000 and the median monthly rent is $2,928.
What are the best industries in Laguna Niguel?
The top industries in Laguna Niguel, CA include Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture. The city has a job growth rate of 0.7% and an unemployment rate of 4.4%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $71,222.
How does Laguna Niguel's salary compare to other cities?
Laguna Niguel's median salary of $71,222 is 19.9% above the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 148), the real purchasing power is approximately $48,123.
What is the minimum wage in Laguna Niguel, CA?
The minimum wage in Laguna Niguel, 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.