Ventura Hourly Wage & Salary 2026
Ventura, CA: $27.90/hr median hourly wage, $58,023 median annual salary, cost of living index 148.5, and $16.00/hr minimum wage. Calculate take-home pay with federal and California taxes.
Ventura Hourly Wage Quick Answer
The median hourly wage in Ventura, CA is $27.90/hr, equivalent to $58,023 per year at 2,080 work hours. Entry-level pay estimates around $17.30/hr, senior-level pay estimates around $39.62/hr, and the local minimum wage is $16.00/hr.
Median Salary
$58,023
$27.90/hr
Cost of Living
148.5
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$16.00
per hour
Unemployment
4.9%
rate
Ventura, CA Overview
Population
109,106
Median Salary
$58,023
Average Salary
$64,986
Avg Commute
18 min
Median Home Price
$720,000
Median Rent
$2,935/mo
Job Growth
+2%
Sales Tax
7.25%
Ventura is located in California with a population of 109,106. The median household salary is $58,023 per year ($27.90/hour), which is $1,361 below the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 18 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +2%.
Ventura Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Ventura, CA based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $58,023 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 | $35,974 | $17.30/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $58,023 | $27.90/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $82,393 | $39.62/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $103,281 | $49.66/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.
Ventura Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Ventura, CA, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$43,405
$3,617.11/month · $1,669.44/biweekly · Effective Rate: 25.2%
Biweekly paycheck estimate: this salary equals about $1,669.44 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
$58,023
Federal Tax
-$4,783
State Tax
-$5,396
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$4,439
Net Pay
$43,405
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $4,835.25 | $58,023.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$398.56 | -$4,782.76 |
| California State Tax (9.3%) | -$449.68 | -$5,396.14 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$299.79 | -$3,597.43 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$70.11 | -$841.33 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $3,617.11 | $43,405.34 |
Salary Comparison: Ventura vs Other Cities
See how Ventura's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ventura, CA | $58,023 | 148.5 | $39,073 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| West Covina, CA | $58,016 | 142.7 | $40,656 |
| Harrison, NY | $58,030 | 121.8 | $47,644 |
| Quincy, MA | $58,007 | 128.5 | $45,142 |
| Englewood, CO | $58,041 | 101.1 | $57,409 |
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 Ventura
Ventura's cost of living index is 148.5 (national average = 100). Living in Ventura is 48.5% more expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$720,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,935
Annual Rent Cost
$35,220
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $43,405 annual take-home pay in Ventura has the purchasing power of approximately $29,229 in an average-cost US area. You would need to earn $86,164 in Ventura to match a $58,023 salary in an average-cost city.
Top Industries in Ventura
Ventura's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $58,023.
Salary Tips for Ventura Workers
- Negotiate for cost of living. Ventura has a cost of living 48.5% 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. Ventura's top industries include Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $58,023 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 Ventura salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Ventura-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 Ventura indexed at 148.5.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Ventura's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $58,023 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 Ventura: 4.9%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 2% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for California.
- Housing context: median home price $720,000, median rent $2,935/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Ventura, CA:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Ventura unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Ventura 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. Ventura'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 Ventura, CA?
The median hourly wage in Ventura, CA is $27.90 per hour. At a standard 2,080-hour work year, that equals about $58,023 per year. Entry-level workers are estimated around $17.30/hr, while senior-level workers are estimated around $39.62/hr before overtime, bonuses, or benefits.
What is the median salary in Ventura, CA?
The median salary in Ventura, CA is $58,023 per year, or $27.90 per hour. The average salary is $64,986. This is $1,361 below the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Ventura, CA?
Ventura's cost of living index is 148.5 (national average = 100), meaning it is 48.5% more expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $720,000 and the median monthly rent is $2,935.
What are the best industries in Ventura?
The top industries in Ventura, CA include Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture. The city has a job growth rate of 2% and an unemployment rate of 4.9%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $58,023.
How does Ventura's salary compare to other cities?
Ventura's median salary of $58,023 is 2.3% below the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 148.5), the real purchasing power is approximately $39,073.
What is the minimum wage in Ventura, CA?
The minimum wage in Ventura, 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.