Salary & Cost of Living in Lakewood, CA
Lakewood, CA: $64,953 median salary, cost of living index 152.1, $16.00/hr minimum wage. Calculate your take-home pay with our free paycheck calculator.
Median Salary
$64,953
$31/hr
Cost of Living
152.1
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$16.00
per hour
Unemployment
4.1%
rate
Lakewood, CA Overview
Population
80,048
Median Salary
$64,953
Average Salary
$72,747
Avg Commute
21 min
Median Home Price
$774,000
Median Rent
$3,136/mo
Job Growth
+2.6%
Sales Tax
7.25%
Lakewood is located in California with a population of 80,048. The median household salary is $64,953 per year ($31/hour), which is $5,569 above the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 21 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +2.6%.
Lakewood Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Lakewood, CA based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $64,953 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 | $40,271 | $19.36/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $64,953 | $31.23/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $92,233 | $44.35/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $115,616 | $55.59/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.
Lakewood Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Lakewood, CA, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$48,040
$4,003.32/month · $1,847.68/biweekly · Effective Rate: 26.0%
Gross Pay
$64,953
Federal Tax
-$5,904
State Tax
-$6,041
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$4,969
Net Pay
$48,040
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $5,412.75 | $64,953.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$491.97 | -$5,903.66 |
| California State Tax (9.3%) | -$503.39 | -$6,040.63 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$335.59 | -$4,027.09 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$78.48 | -$941.82 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $4,003.32 | $48,039.81 |
Salary Comparison: Lakewood vs Other Cities
See how Lakewood's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lakewood, CA | $64,953 | 152.1 | $42,704 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Desert Hot Springs, CA | $64,929 | 152.9 | $42,465 |
| Lafayette, CO | $64,924 | 96.7 | $67,140 |
| Spokane Valley, WA | $64,922 | 123.1 | $52,739 |
| Long Beach, CA | $65,000 | 148 | $43,919 |
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 Lakewood
Lakewood's cost of living index is 152.1 (national average = 100). Living in Lakewood is 52.099999999999994% more expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$774,000
Median Monthly Rent
$3,136
Annual Rent Cost
$37,632
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $48,040 annual take-home pay in Lakewood has the purchasing power of approximately $31,584 in an average-cost US area. You would need to earn $98,794 in Lakewood to match a $64,953 salary in an average-cost city.
Top Industries in Lakewood
Lakewood's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $64,953.
Salary Tips for Lakewood Workers
- Negotiate for cost of living. Lakewood has a cost of living 52.099999999999994% 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. Lakewood's top industries include Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $64,953 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 Lakewood salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Lakewood-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 Lakewood indexed at 152.1.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Lakewood's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $64,953 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 Lakewood: 4.1%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 2.6% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for California.
- Housing context: median home price $774,000, median rent $3,136/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Lakewood, CA:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Lakewood unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Lakewood 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. Lakewood'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 median salary in Lakewood, CA?
The median salary in Lakewood, CA is $64,953 per year, or $31 per hour. The average salary is $72,747. This is $5,569 above the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Lakewood, CA?
Lakewood's cost of living index is 152.1 (national average = 100), meaning it is 52.099999999999994% more expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $774,000 and the median monthly rent is $3,136.
What are the best industries in Lakewood?
The top industries in Lakewood, CA include Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture. The city has a job growth rate of 2.6% and an unemployment rate of 4.1%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $64,953.
How does Lakewood's salary compare to other cities?
Lakewood's median salary of $64,953 is 9.4% above the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 152.1), the real purchasing power is approximately $42,704.
What is the minimum wage in Lakewood, CA?
The minimum wage in Lakewood, 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.