Los Altos Hourly Wage & Salary 2026
Los Altos, CA: $28.15/hr median hourly wage, $58,544 median annual salary, cost of living index 135.9, and $16.00/hr minimum wage. Calculate take-home pay with federal and California taxes.
Los Altos Hourly Wage Quick Answer
The median hourly wage in Los Altos, CA is $28.15/hr, equivalent to $58,544 per year at 2,080 work hours. Entry-level pay estimates around $17.45/hr, senior-level pay estimates around $39.97/hr, and the local minimum wage is $16.00/hr.
Median Salary
$58,544
$28.15/hr
Cost of Living
135.9
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$16.00
per hour
Unemployment
5.3%
rate
Los Altos, CA Overview
Population
30,787
Median Salary
$58,544
Average Salary
$65,569
Avg Commute
17 min
Median Home Price
$738,000
Median Rent
$2,967/mo
Job Growth
+1.2%
Sales Tax
7.25%
Los Altos is located in California with a population of 30,787. The median household salary is $58,544 per year ($28.15/hour), which is $840 below the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 17 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +1.2%.
Los Altos Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Los Altos, CA based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $58,544 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 | $36,297 | $17.45/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $58,544 | $28.15/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $83,132 | $39.97/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $104,208 | $50.11/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.
Los Altos Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Los Altos, CA, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$43,776
$3,647.96/month · $1,683.67/biweekly · Effective Rate: 25.2%
Biweekly paycheck estimate: this salary equals about $1,683.67 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
$58,544
Federal Tax
-$4,845
State Tax
-$5,445
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$4,479
Net Pay
$43,776
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $4,878.67 | $58,544.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$403.77 | -$4,845.28 |
| California State Tax (9.3%) | -$453.72 | -$5,444.59 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$302.48 | -$3,629.73 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$70.74 | -$848.89 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $3,647.96 | $43,775.51 |
Salary Comparison: Los Altos vs Other Cities
See how Los Altos's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Altos, CA | $58,544 | 135.9 | $43,079 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Pleasant Grove, UT | $58,560 | 94.9 | $61,707 |
| Miami, FL | $58,500 | 132 | $44,318 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $58,500 | 87 | $67,241 |
| Santa Fe, NM | $58,500 | 108 | $54,167 |
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 Los Altos
Los Altos's cost of living index is 135.9 (national average = 100). Living in Los Altos is 35.900000000000006% more expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$738,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,967
Annual Rent Cost
$35,604
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $43,776 annual take-home pay in Los Altos has the purchasing power of approximately $32,212 in an average-cost US area. You would need to earn $79,561 in Los Altos to match a $58,544 salary in an average-cost city.
Top Industries in Los Altos
Los Altos's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $58,544.
Salary Tips for Los Altos Workers
- Negotiate for cost of living. Los Altos has a cost of living 35.900000000000006% 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. Los Altos's top industries include Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $58,544 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 Los Altos salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Los Altos-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 Los Altos indexed at 135.9.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Los Altos's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $58,544 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 Los Altos: 5.3%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 1.2% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for California.
- Housing context: median home price $738,000, median rent $2,967/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Los Altos, CA:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Los Altos unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Los Altos 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. Los Altos'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 Los Altos, CA?
The median hourly wage in Los Altos, CA is $28.15 per hour. At a standard 2,080-hour work year, that equals about $58,544 per year. Entry-level workers are estimated around $17.45/hr, while senior-level workers are estimated around $39.97/hr before overtime, bonuses, or benefits.
What is the median salary in Los Altos, CA?
The median salary in Los Altos, CA is $58,544 per year, or $28.15 per hour. The average salary is $65,569. This is $840 below the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Los Altos, CA?
Los Altos's cost of living index is 135.9 (national average = 100), meaning it is 35.900000000000006% more expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $738,000 and the median monthly rent is $2,967.
What are the best industries in Los Altos?
The top industries in Los Altos, CA include Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture. The city has a job growth rate of 1.2% and an unemployment rate of 5.3%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $58,544.
How does Los Altos's salary compare to other cities?
Los Altos's median salary of $58,544 is 1.4% below the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 135.9), the real purchasing power is approximately $43,079.
What is the minimum wage in Los Altos, CA?
The minimum wage in Los Altos, 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.