Salary & Cost of Living in Madera, CA
Madera, CA: $70,288 median salary, cost of living index 146.8, $16.00/hr minimum wage. Calculate your take-home pay with our free paycheck calculator.
Median Salary
$70,288
$34/hr
Cost of Living
146.8
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$16.00
per hour
Unemployment
5.1%
rate
Madera, CA Overview
Population
65,791
Median Salary
$70,288
Average Salary
$78,723
Avg Commute
19 min
Median Home Price
$675,000
Median Rent
$2,733/mo
Job Growth
+2.7%
Sales Tax
7.25%
Madera is located in California with a population of 65,791. The median household salary is $70,288 per year ($34/hour), which is $10,904 above the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 19 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +2.7%.
Madera Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Madera, CA based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $70,288 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 | $43,579 | $20.95/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $70,288 | $33.79/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $99,809 | $47.98/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $125,113 | $60.15/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.
Madera Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Madera, CA, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$51,297
$4,274.74/month · $1,972.95/biweekly · Effective Rate: 27.0%
Gross Pay
$70,288
Federal Tax
-$7,077
State Tax
-$6,537
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$5,377
Net Pay
$51,297
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $5,857.33 | $70,288.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$589.78 | -$7,077.36 |
| California State Tax (9.3%) | -$544.73 | -$6,536.78 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$363.15 | -$4,357.86 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$84.93 | -$1,019.18 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $4,274.74 | $51,296.82 |
Salary Comparison: Madera vs Other Cities
See how Madera's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madera, CA | $70,288 | 146.8 | $47,880 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Camarillo, CA | $70,300 | 143.4 | $49,024 |
| Westfield, MA | $70,227 | 132.2 | $53,122 |
| Holyoke, MA | $70,225 | 131.6 | $53,362 |
| San Rafael, CA | $70,362 | 157.7 | $44,618 |
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 Madera
Madera's cost of living index is 146.8 (national average = 100). Living in Madera is 46.80000000000001% more expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$675,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,733
Annual Rent Cost
$32,796
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $51,297 annual take-home pay in Madera has the purchasing power of approximately $34,943 in an average-cost US area. You would need to earn $103,183 in Madera to match a $70,288 salary in an average-cost city.
Top Industries in Madera
Madera's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $70,288.
Salary Tips for Madera Workers
- Negotiate for cost of living. Madera has a cost of living 46.80000000000001% 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. Madera's top industries include Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $70,288 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 Madera salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Madera-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 Madera indexed at 146.8.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Madera's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $70,288 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 Madera: 5.1%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 2.7% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for California.
- Housing context: median home price $675,000, median rent $2,733/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Madera, CA:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Madera unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Madera 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. Madera'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 Madera, CA?
The median salary in Madera, CA is $70,288 per year, or $34 per hour. The average salary is $78,723. This is $10,904 above the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Madera, CA?
Madera's cost of living index is 146.8 (national average = 100), meaning it is 46.80000000000001% more expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $675,000 and the median monthly rent is $2,733.
What are the best industries in Madera?
The top industries in Madera, CA include Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture. The city has a job growth rate of 2.7% and an unemployment rate of 5.1%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $70,288.
How does Madera's salary compare to other cities?
Madera's median salary of $70,288 is 18.4% above the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 146.8), the real purchasing power is approximately $47,880.
What is the minimum wage in Madera, CA?
The minimum wage in Madera, 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.