Santa Monica Hourly Wage & Salary 2026
Santa Monica, CA: $33.62/hr median hourly wage, $69,929 median annual salary, cost of living index 146.2, and $16.00/hr minimum wage. Calculate take-home pay with federal and California taxes.
Santa Monica Hourly Wage Quick Answer
The median hourly wage in Santa Monica, CA is $33.62/hr, equivalent to $69,929 per year at 2,080 work hours. Entry-level pay estimates around $20.84/hr, senior-level pay estimates around $47.74/hr, and the local minimum wage is $16.00/hr.
Median Salary
$69,929
$33.62/hr
Cost of Living
146.2
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$16.00
per hour
Unemployment
5.1%
rate
Santa Monica, CA Overview
Population
93,076
Median Salary
$69,929
Average Salary
$78,320
Avg Commute
18 min
Median Home Price
$798,000
Median Rent
$3,239/mo
Job Growth
+1.2%
Sales Tax
7.25%
Santa Monica is located in California with a population of 93,076. The median household salary is $69,929 per year ($33.62/hour), which is $10,545 above the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 18 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +1.2%.
Santa Monica Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Santa Monica, CA based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $69,929 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 | $43,356 | $20.84/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $69,929 | $33.62/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $99,299 | $47.74/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $124,474 | $59.84/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.
Santa Monica Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Santa Monica, CA, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$51,522
$4,293.47/month · $1,981.60/biweekly · Effective Rate: 26.3%
Biweekly paycheck estimate: this salary equals about $1,981.60 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
$69,929
Federal Tax
-$6,554
State Tax
-$6,503
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$5,350
Net Pay
$51,522
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $5,827.42 | $69,929.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$546.20 | -$6,554.38 |
| California State Tax (9.3%) | -$541.95 | -$6,503.40 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$361.30 | -$4,335.60 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$84.50 | -$1,013.97 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $4,293.47 | $51,521.65 |
Salary Comparison: Santa Monica vs Other Cities
See how Santa Monica's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Monica, CA | $69,929 | 146.2 | $47,831 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Greenwich, CT | $69,941 | 112.1 | $62,392 |
| Monroe Township, NJ | $69,905 | 120.4 | $58,061 |
| Daly City, CA | $69,958 | 170.3 | $41,079 |
| Somerville, MA | $69,899 | 148.5 | $47,070 |
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 Santa Monica
Santa Monica's cost of living index is 146.2 (national average = 100). Living in Santa Monica is 46.19999999999999% more expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$798,000
Median Monthly Rent
$3,239
Annual Rent Cost
$38,868
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $51,522 annual take-home pay in Santa Monica has the purchasing power of approximately $35,241 in an average-cost US area. You would need to earn $102,236 in Santa Monica to match a $69,929 salary in an average-cost city.
Top Industries in Santa Monica
Santa Monica's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $69,929.
Salary Tips for Santa Monica Workers
- Negotiate for cost of living. Santa Monica has a cost of living 46.19999999999999% 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. Santa Monica's top industries include Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $69,929 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 Santa Monica salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Santa Monica-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 Santa Monica indexed at 146.2.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Santa Monica's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $69,929 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 Santa Monica: 5.1%, 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 $798,000, median rent $3,239/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Santa Monica, CA:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Santa Monica unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Santa Monica 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. Santa Monica'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 Santa Monica, CA?
The median hourly wage in Santa Monica, CA is $33.62 per hour. At a standard 2,080-hour work year, that equals about $69,929 per year. Entry-level workers are estimated around $20.84/hr, while senior-level workers are estimated around $47.74/hr before overtime, bonuses, or benefits.
What is the median salary in Santa Monica, CA?
The median salary in Santa Monica, CA is $69,929 per year, or $33.62 per hour. The average salary is $78,320. This is $10,545 above the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Santa Monica, CA?
Santa Monica's cost of living index is 146.2 (national average = 100), meaning it is 46.19999999999999% more expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $798,000 and the median monthly rent is $3,239.
What are the best industries in Santa Monica?
The top industries in Santa Monica, CA include Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture. The city has a job growth rate of 1.2% and an unemployment rate of 5.1%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $69,929.
How does Santa Monica's salary compare to other cities?
Santa Monica's median salary of $69,929 is 17.8% above the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 146.2), the real purchasing power is approximately $47,831.
What is the minimum wage in Santa Monica, CA?
The minimum wage in Santa Monica, 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.