Salary & Cost of Living in Los Gatos, CA
Los Gatos, CA: $69,527 median salary, cost of living index 141.9, $16.00/hr minimum wage. Calculate your take-home pay with our free paycheck calculator.
Median Salary
$69,527
$33/hr
Cost of Living
141.9
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$16.00
per hour
Unemployment
5.5%
rate
Los Gatos, CA Overview
Population
33,529
Median Salary
$69,527
Average Salary
$77,870
Avg Commute
17 min
Median Home Price
$694,000
Median Rent
$2,793/mo
Job Growth
+2.1%
Sales Tax
7.25%
Los Gatos is located in California with a population of 33,529. The median household salary is $69,527 per year ($33/hour), which is $10,143 above the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 17 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +2.1%.
Los Gatos Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Los Gatos, CA based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $69,527 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 | $43,107 | $20.73/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $69,527 | $33.43/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $98,728 | $47.47/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $123,758 | $59.51/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 Gatos Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Los Gatos, CA, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$50,832
$4,236.02/month · $1,955.09/biweekly · Effective Rate: 26.9%
Gross Pay
$69,527
Federal Tax
-$6,910
State Tax
-$6,466
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$5,319
Net Pay
$50,832
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $5,793.92 | $69,527.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$575.83 | -$6,909.94 |
| California State Tax (9.3%) | -$538.83 | -$6,466.01 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$359.22 | -$4,310.67 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$84.01 | -$1,008.14 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $4,236.02 | $50,832.23 |
Salary Comparison: Los Gatos vs Other Cities
See how Los Gatos's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Gatos, CA | $69,527 | 141.9 | $48,997 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Willingboro, NJ | $69,523 | 113.1 | $61,470 |
| La Mesa, CA | $69,509 | 142.6 | $48,744 |
| Potomac, MD | $69,558 | 110.3 | $63,063 |
| Bristol, CT | $69,592 | 114.5 | $60,779 |
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 Gatos
Los Gatos's cost of living index is 141.9 (national average = 100). Living in Los Gatos is 41.900000000000006% more expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$694,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,793
Annual Rent Cost
$33,516
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $50,832 annual take-home pay in Los Gatos has the purchasing power of approximately $35,823 in an average-cost US area. You would need to earn $98,659 in Los Gatos to match a $69,527 salary in an average-cost city.
Top Industries in Los Gatos
Los Gatos's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $69,527.
Salary Tips for Los Gatos Workers
- Negotiate for cost of living. Los Gatos has a cost of living 41.900000000000006% 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 Gatos's top industries include Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $69,527 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 Gatos salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Los Gatos-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 Gatos indexed at 141.9.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Los Gatos's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $69,527 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 Gatos: 5.5%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 2.1% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for California.
- Housing context: median home price $694,000, median rent $2,793/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Los Gatos, CA:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Los Gatos unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Los Gatos 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 Gatos'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 Los Gatos, CA?
The median salary in Los Gatos, CA is $69,527 per year, or $33 per hour. The average salary is $77,870. This is $10,143 above the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Los Gatos, CA?
Los Gatos's cost of living index is 141.9 (national average = 100), meaning it is 41.900000000000006% more expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $694,000 and the median monthly rent is $2,793.
What are the best industries in Los Gatos?
The top industries in Los Gatos, CA include Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture. The city has a job growth rate of 2.1% and an unemployment rate of 5.5%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $69,527.
How does Los Gatos's salary compare to other cities?
Los Gatos's median salary of $69,527 is 17.1% above the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 141.9), the real purchasing power is approximately $48,997.
What is the minimum wage in Los Gatos, CA?
The minimum wage in Los Gatos, 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.