Salary & Cost of Living in Richmond, CA
Richmond, CA: $64,866 median salary, cost of living index 161.9, $16.00/hr minimum wage. Calculate your take-home pay with our free paycheck calculator.
Median Salary
$64,866
$31/hr
Cost of Living
161.9
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$16.00
per hour
Unemployment
5.2%
rate
Richmond, CA Overview
Population
116,448
Median Salary
$64,866
Average Salary
$72,650
Avg Commute
18 min
Median Home Price
$899,000
Median Rent
$3,654/mo
Job Growth
+0.7%
Sales Tax
7.25%
Richmond is located in California with a population of 116,448. The median household salary is $64,866 per year ($31/hour), which is $5,482 above the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 18 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +0.7%.
Richmond Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Richmond, CA based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $64,866 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 | $40,217 | $19.34/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $64,866 | $31.19/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $92,110 | $44.29/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $115,461 | $55.52/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.
Richmond Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Richmond, CA, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$47,987
$3,998.89/month · $1,845.64/biweekly · Effective Rate: 26.0%
Gross Pay
$64,866
Federal Tax
-$5,885
State Tax
-$6,033
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$4,962
Net Pay
$47,987
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $5,405.50 | $64,866.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$490.38 | -$5,884.52 |
| California State Tax (9.3%) | -$502.71 | -$6,032.54 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$335.14 | -$4,021.69 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$78.38 | -$940.56 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $3,998.89 | $47,986.69 |
Salary Comparison: Richmond vs Other Cities
See how Richmond's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Richmond, CA | $64,866 | 161.9 | $40,065 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| San Gabriel, CA | $64,861 | 145.7 | $44,517 |
| Trumbull, CT | $64,854 | 108.8 | $59,608 |
| Concord, CA | $64,895 | 143.2 | $45,318 |
| Pittsford, NY | $64,837 | 138.4 | $46,848 |
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 Richmond
Richmond's cost of living index is 161.9 (national average = 100). Living in Richmond is 61.900000000000006% more expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$899,000
Median Monthly Rent
$3,654
Annual Rent Cost
$43,848
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $47,987 annual take-home pay in Richmond has the purchasing power of approximately $29,640 in an average-cost US area. You would need to earn $105,018 in Richmond to match a $64,866 salary in an average-cost city.
Top Industries in Richmond
Richmond's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $64,866.
Salary Tips for Richmond Workers
- Negotiate for cost of living. Richmond has a cost of living 61.900000000000006% 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. Richmond's top industries include Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $64,866 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 Richmond salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Richmond-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 Richmond indexed at 161.9.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Richmond's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $64,866 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 Richmond: 5.2%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 0.7% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for California.
- Housing context: median home price $899,000, median rent $3,654/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Richmond, CA:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Richmond unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Richmond 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. Richmond'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 Richmond, CA?
The median salary in Richmond, CA is $64,866 per year, or $31 per hour. The average salary is $72,650. This is $5,482 above the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Richmond, CA?
Richmond's cost of living index is 161.9 (national average = 100), meaning it is 61.900000000000006% more expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $899,000 and the median monthly rent is $3,654.
What are the best industries in Richmond?
The top industries in Richmond, CA include Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture. The city has a job growth rate of 0.7% and an unemployment rate of 5.2%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $64,866.
How does Richmond's salary compare to other cities?
Richmond's median salary of $64,866 is 9.2% above the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 161.9), the real purchasing power is approximately $40,065.
What is the minimum wage in Richmond, CA?
The minimum wage in Richmond, 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.