Long Beach Hourly Wage & Salary 2026
Long Beach, CA: $31.25/hr median hourly wage, $65,000 median annual salary, cost of living index 148, and $16.50/hr minimum wage. Calculate take-home pay with federal and California taxes.
Long Beach Hourly Wage Quick Answer
The median hourly wage in Long Beach, CA is $31.25/hr, equivalent to $65,000 per year at 2,080 work hours. Entry-level pay estimates around $19.38/hr, senior-level pay estimates around $44.38/hr, and the local minimum wage is $16.50/hr.
Median Salary
$65,000
$31.25/hr
Cost of Living
148
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$16.50
per hour
Unemployment
4.5%
rate
Long Beach, CA Overview
Population
466,742
Median Salary
$65,000
Average Salary
$72,000
Avg Commute
30 min
Median Home Price
$700,000
Median Rent
$2,100/mo
Job Growth
+1.5%
Sales Tax
10.25%
Long Beach is located in California with a population of 466,742. The median household salary is $65,000 per year ($31.25/hour), which is $5,616 above the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 30 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +1.5%.
Long Beach Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Long Beach, CA based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $65,000 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 | $40,300 | $19.38/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $65,000 | $31.25/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $92,300 | $44.38/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $115,700 | $55.63/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.
Long Beach Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Long Beach, CA, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$48,363
$4,030.21/month · $1,860.10/biweekly · Effective Rate: 25.6%
Biweekly paycheck estimate: this salary equals about $1,860.10 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
$65,000
Federal Tax
-$5,620
State Tax
-$6,045
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$4,973
Net Pay
$48,363
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $5,416.67 | $65,000.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$468.33 | -$5,620.00 |
| California State Tax (9.3%) | -$503.75 | -$6,045.00 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$335.83 | -$4,030.00 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$78.54 | -$942.50 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $4,030.21 | $48,362.50 |
Salary Comparison: Long Beach vs Other Cities
See how Long Beach's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Long Beach, CA | $65,000 | 148 | $43,919 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Oceanside, CA | $65,000 | 145 | $44,828 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $65,000 | 100 | $65,000 |
| Pembroke Pines, FL | $65,000 | 115 | $56,522 |
| Coral Springs, FL | $65,000 | 110 | $59,091 |
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 Long Beach
Long Beach's cost of living index is 148 (national average = 100). Living in Long Beach is 48% more expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$700,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,100
Annual Rent Cost
$25,200
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $48,363 annual take-home pay in Long Beach has the purchasing power of approximately $32,677 in an average-cost US area. You would need to earn $96,200 in Long Beach to match a $65,000 salary in an average-cost city.
Top Industries in Long Beach
Long Beach's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $65,000.
Salary Tips for Long Beach Workers
- Negotiate for cost of living. Long Beach 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. Long Beach's top industries include Shipping, Aerospace, Healthcare. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $65,000 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.
Job Salaries in Long Beach, CA
Browse occupation-specific salary estimates adjusted for Long Beach's cost of living. These pages connect national role benchmarks with local take-home pay and market context.
Methodology & Local Economy Data Sources
How we calculate Long Beach salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Long Beach-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 Long Beach indexed at 148.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Long Beach's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $65,000 annual median.
- Tax burden reflects California state income tax (9.3%) (no local income tax), sales tax (10.25%), and federal taxes per IRS 2026 brackets.
- Unemployment rate for Long Beach: 4.5%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Shipping, Aerospace, Healthcare — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 1.5% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for California.
- Housing context: median home price $700,000, median rent $2,100/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Long Beach, CA:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Long Beach unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Long Beach 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. Long Beach'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 Long Beach, CA?
The median hourly wage in Long Beach, CA is $31.25 per hour. At a standard 2,080-hour work year, that equals about $65,000 per year. Entry-level workers are estimated around $19.38/hr, while senior-level workers are estimated around $44.38/hr before overtime, bonuses, or benefits.
What is the median salary in Long Beach, CA?
The median salary in Long Beach, CA is $65,000 per year, or $31.25 per hour. The average salary is $72,000. This is $5,616 above the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Long Beach, CA?
Long Beach'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 $700,000 and the median monthly rent is $2,100.
What are the best industries in Long Beach?
The top industries in Long Beach, CA include Shipping, Aerospace, Healthcare. The city has a job growth rate of 1.5% and an unemployment rate of 4.5%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $65,000.
How does Long Beach's salary compare to other cities?
Long Beach's median salary of $65,000 is 9.5% above the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 148), the real purchasing power is approximately $43,919.
What is the minimum wage in Long Beach, CA?
The minimum wage in Long Beach, CA is $16.50 per hour. This equals approximately $34,320 per year for a full-time worker (40 hours/week). This is $9.25 above the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour.