Los Angeles Hourly Wage & Salary 2026
Los Angeles, CA: $36.15/hr median hourly wage, $75,200 median annual salary, cost of living index 166, and $16.50/hr minimum wage. Calculate take-home pay with federal and California taxes.
Los Angeles Hourly Wage Quick Answer
The median hourly wage in Los Angeles, CA is $36.15/hr, equivalent to $75,200 per year at 2,080 work hours. Entry-level pay estimates around $22.41/hr, senior-level pay estimates around $51.33/hr, and the local minimum wage is $16.50/hr.
Median Salary
$75,200
$36.15/hr
Cost of Living
166
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$16.50
per hour
Unemployment
4.8%
rate
Los Angeles, CA Overview
Population
3,898,747
Median Salary
$75,200
Average Salary
$85,000
Avg Commute
31 min
Median Home Price
$830,000
Median Rent
$2,650/mo
Job Growth
+1.8%
Sales Tax
9.5%
Los Angeles is located in California with a population of 3,898,747. The median household salary is $75,200 per year ($36.15/hour), which is $15,816 above the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 31 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +1.8%.
Los Angeles Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Los Angeles, CA based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $75,200 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 | $46,624 | $22.41/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $75,200 | $36.15/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $106,784 | $51.33/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $133,856 | $64.35/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 Angeles Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Los Angeles, CA, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$54,740
$4,561.63/month · $2,105.37/biweekly · Effective Rate: 27.2%
Biweekly paycheck estimate: this salary equals about $2,105.37 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
$75,200
Federal Tax
-$7,714
State Tax
-$6,994
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$5,753
Net Pay
$54,740
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $6,266.67 | $75,200.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$642.83 | -$7,714.00 |
| California State Tax (9.3%) | -$582.80 | -$6,993.60 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$388.53 | -$4,662.40 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$90.87 | -$1,090.40 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $4,561.63 | $54,739.60 |
Salary Comparison: Los Angeles vs Other Cities
See how Los Angeles's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | $75,200 | 166 | $45,301 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Lexington, MA | $75,229 | 132.9 | $56,606 |
| Linden, NJ | $75,170 | 115.9 | $64,858 |
| Pearland, TX | $75,132 | 98.5 | $76,276 |
| League City, TX | $75,105 | 98.2 | $76,482 |
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 Angeles
Los Angeles's cost of living index is 166 (national average = 100). Living in Los Angeles is 66% more expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$830,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,650
Annual Rent Cost
$31,800
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $54,740 annual take-home pay in Los Angeles has the purchasing power of approximately $32,976 in an average-cost US area. You would need to earn $124,832 in Los Angeles to match a $75,200 salary in an average-cost city.
Top Industries in Los Angeles
Los Angeles's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $75,200.
Salary Tips for Los Angeles Workers
- Negotiate for cost of living. Los Angeles has a cost of living 66% 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 Angeles's top industries include Entertainment, Technology, Healthcare. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $75,200 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 Los Angeles, CA
Browse occupation-specific salary estimates adjusted for Los Angeles'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 Los Angeles salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Los Angeles-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 Angeles indexed at 166.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Los Angeles's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $75,200 annual median.
- Tax burden reflects California state income tax (9.3%) (no local income tax), sales tax (9.5%), and federal taxes per IRS 2026 brackets.
- Unemployment rate for Los Angeles: 4.8%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Entertainment, Technology, Healthcare — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 1.8% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for California.
- Housing context: median home price $830,000, median rent $2,650/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Los Angeles, CA:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Los Angeles unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Los Angeles 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 Angeles'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 Angeles, CA?
The median hourly wage in Los Angeles, CA is $36.15 per hour. At a standard 2,080-hour work year, that equals about $75,200 per year. Entry-level workers are estimated around $22.41/hr, while senior-level workers are estimated around $51.33/hr before overtime, bonuses, or benefits.
What is the median salary in Los Angeles, CA?
The median salary in Los Angeles, CA is $75,200 per year, or $36.15 per hour. The average salary is $85,000. This is $15,816 above the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Los Angeles, CA?
Los Angeles's cost of living index is 166 (national average = 100), meaning it is 66% more expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $830,000 and the median monthly rent is $2,650.
What are the best industries in Los Angeles?
The top industries in Los Angeles, CA include Entertainment, Technology, Healthcare. The city has a job growth rate of 1.8% and an unemployment rate of 4.8%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $75,200.
How does Los Angeles's salary compare to other cities?
Los Angeles's median salary of $75,200 is 26.6% above the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 166), the real purchasing power is approximately $45,301.
What is the minimum wage in Los Angeles, CA?
The minimum wage in Los Angeles, 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.