Overview Salaries

Salaries in Palo Alto, CA

Updated on Nov 10, 2025
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Salary

What is the average salary in Palo Alto, CA?

The average salary in Palo Alto, CA is $110,986 per year.
Yearly
Monthly
Weekly
Hourly
Graph depicting the yearly salary distribution for Palo Alto, CA, showing an average salary of $110,986 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.
Graph depicting the monthly salary distribution for Palo Alto, CA, showing an average salary of $9,249 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.
Graph depicting the weekly salary distribution for Palo Alto, CA, showing an average salary of $2,134 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.
Graph depicting the hourly salary distribution for Palo Alto, CA, showing an average salary of $53 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.

Palo Alto, CA, offers a range of salary opportunities across various industries. The average yearly salary in the area is $110,986. This figure reflects a competitive market where skilled professionals can expect to earn a good income. The salary distribution shows a broad spectrum, with many positions offering salaries above the national average.


The top-paying sectors in Palo Alto include technology, healthcare, and finance. These industries often provide higher salaries due to the specialized skills and expertise required. For instance, roles in software development and engineering can earn upwards of $160,000 per year. Other notable sectors include biotechnology and consulting, where salaries also tend to be on the higher side. Job seekers in Palo Alto can find attractive salary packages that align with the high cost of living in the area.

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What are the best paying jobs in Palo Alto, CA?

Palo Alto, CA, offers some of the best-paying jobs in the tech industry. Machine Learning Engineers lead the pack with an average salary of $208,333. This role involves creating algorithms that allow machines to learn and improve from data. Following closely are Nurse Practitioners, with an average salary of $195,885, providing advanced medical care and often working in specialized fields. Other high-paying positions include Staff Engineers, earning around $190,754, and Product Managers, with an average salary of $184,761. These roles require strong technical skills and strategic thinking, respectively. Software Engineers, Pharmacists, and Data Scientists also offer competitive salaries, making Palo Alto an attractive location for professionals seeking top compensation.
Graph displaying best paying job salaries in Palo Alto, CA, highlighting Machine Learning Engineer with the highest at $208,333 and Technical Programs Manager with the lowest at $163,238.

  1. Machine Learning Engineer
    Average Salary: $208,333
    This role involves creating models and algorithms to analyze data. Companies like Google and Tesla are hiring for this role. They focus on improving systems and making data-driven decisions.
    Find Machine Learning Engineer jobs in Palo Alto, CA


  2. Nurse Practitioner
    Average Salary: $195,885
    Nurse Practitioners provide primary and specialty care. They work in clinics and hospitals, often collaborating with doctors. Companies like Kaiser Permanente and Stanford Health Care offer many opportunities.
    Find Nurse Practitioner jobs in Palo Alto, CA


  3. Staff Engineer
    Average Salary: $190,754
    Staff Engineers lead development teams and projects. They work on complex systems and ensure high-quality software. Companies like Apple and LinkedIn are known for hiring these professionals.
    Find Staff Engineer jobs in Palo Alto, CA


  4. Product Manager
    Average Salary: $184,761
    Product Managers oversee product development. They work closely with teams to bring products to market. Companies like Google and Uber rely on skilled product managers.
    Find Product Manager jobs in Palo Alto, CA


  5. Software Engineer
    Average Salary: $178,344
    Software Engineers design and develop applications. They work in teams to create software solutions. Companies like Google and Tesla offer many opportunities in this field.
    Find Software Engineer jobs in Palo Alto, CA


  6. Pharmacist
    Average Salary: $177,023
    Pharmacists dispense medications and provide healthcare advice. They work in pharmacies and hospitals. Companies like CVS and Walgreens offer many positions.
    Find Pharmacist jobs in Palo Alto, CA


  7. Validation Engineer
    Average Salary: $167,016
    Validation Engineers ensure systems meet regulatory standards. They work in tech companies and healthcare. Companies like Apple and Medtronic offer many roles.
    Find Validation Engineer jobs in Palo Alto, CA


  8. Data Scientist
    Average Salary: $165,909
    Data Scientists analyze large datasets. They use statistics and machine learning to find insights. Companies like Google and LinkedIn are hiring for this role.
    Find Data Scientist jobs in Palo Alto, CA


  9. Nurse Case Manager
    Average Salary: $163,746
    Nurse Case Managers coordinate patient care. They work in hospitals and clinics. Companies like Kaiser Permanente and Stanford Health Care offer many opportunities.
    Find Nurse Case Manager jobs in Palo Alto, CA


  10. Technical Programs Manager
    Average Salary: $163,238
    Technical Programs Managers oversee technical projects. They coordinate teams and ensure projects meet goals. Companies like Google and Apple offer many roles.
    Find Technical Programs Manager jobs in Palo Alto, CA

What are the best paying jobs in Palo Alto, CA without a degree?

Palo Alto offers several high-paying jobs that do not require a college degree. Restaurant managers can earn an average of $66,967 annually. Other well-paying roles include floor techs, meat cutters, and housekeeping staff. These positions provide good earning potential and opportunities for career growth. Floor techs and meat cutters both earn over $52,000 per year. Housekeeping staff can also expect to make around $52,700 annually. These jobs are ideal for those seeking stable income without the need for a degree.
Graph displaying best paying job salaries in Palo Alto, CA without a degree, highlighting Restaurant Manager with the highest at $66,967 and Dishwasher with the lowest at $40,755.

  1. Restaurant Manager
    Average Salary: $66,967
    Manage daily operations and staff in a bustling restaurant. Oversee food quality and customer service. Work in a tech-driven environment with companies like Google and Facebook nearby.
    Find Restaurant Manager jobs in Palo Alto, CA


  2. Floor Tech
    Average Salary: $54,256
    Maintain cleanliness and safety of floors. Use specialized equipment to clean and sanitize. Ideal for those who enjoy a hands-on job. Companies like Tesla and Oracle require such services.
    Find Floor Tech jobs in Palo Alto, CA


  3. Meat Cutter
    Average Salary: $52,734
    Cut and package meat for customers. Work in a fast-paced kitchen. Gain experience in a high-demand industry. Companies like Uber and LinkedIn need skilled meat cutters.
    Find Meat Cutter jobs in Palo Alto, CA


  4. Housekeeping
    Average Salary: $52,703
    Clean and maintain rooms in hotels and other establishments. Ensure a comfortable environment for guests. Work in a city with many tech companies. Hilton and Marriott hotels offer such positions.
    Find Housekeeping jobs in Palo Alto, CA


  5. Server Assistant
    Average Salary: $49,554
    Help servers with tasks like setting up tables and clearing dishes. Work in a busy dining environment. Gain experience in customer service. Companies like Salesforce and PayPal need server assistants.
    Find Server Assistant jobs in Palo Alto, CA


  6. Line Cook
    Average Salary: $44,764
    Prepare food quickly in a fast-paced kitchen. Work under pressure to meet orders. Gain culinary skills in a dynamic setting. Companies like Airbnb and Slack require line cooks.
    Find Line Cook jobs in Palo Alto, CA


  7. Service Team Member
    Average Salary: $44,197
    Provide excellent customer service in a retail setting. Assist customers with their needs. Work in a fast-paced environment. Companies like Apple and Intel need service team members.
    Find Service Team Member jobs in Palo Alto, CA


  8. Server
    Average Salary: $41,514
    Take orders and serve food and drinks to customers. Work in a busy dining environment. Gain experience in customer service. Companies like Google and Facebook need servers.
    Find Server jobs in Palo Alto, CA


  9. Barista
    Average Salary: $40,829
    Prepare and serve coffee and other beverages. Work in a fast-paced environment. Gain experience in customer service. Companies like LinkedIn and Oracle need baristas.
    Find Barista jobs in Palo Alto, CA


  10. Dishwasher
    Average Salary: $40,755
    Clean dishes and utensils in a commercial kitchen. Work in a fast-paced environment. Gain experience in a high-demand industry. Companies like Uber and Tesla need dishwashers.
    Find Dishwasher jobs in Palo Alto, CA

Which companies offer the top salaries in Palo Alto, CA?

Palo Alto, CA, is home to some of the top-paying companies in the tech and pharmaceutical industries. Snap Inc. leads the pack with an average salary of $239,737. SAP and Uniphore follow closely, offering average salaries of $211,657 and $206,534, respectively. These companies provide competitive compensation packages, making them attractive to job seekers. Other notable companies in Palo Alto include Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Match Group, and Amazon Web Services. Jazz Pharmaceuticals offers an average salary of $200,384, while Match Group and Amazon Web Services provide average salaries of $189,153 and $184,931, respectively. GEICO, Amazon.com, HP, and One Medical also offer attractive salaries, ranging from $183,518 to $159,958. These companies provide a range of opportunities for professionals seeking rewarding careers in Palo Alto.
Graph displaying company salaries in Palo Alto, CA, highlighting Snap Inc. with the highest at $239,737 and One Medical with the lowest at $159,958.

  1. Snap Inc.
    Average Salary: $239,737
    Snap Inc. is a camera company. They make Snapchat, a popular social media app.


  2. SAP
    Average Salary: $211,657
    SAP is a software company. They help businesses run better with their computer programs.


  3. Uniphore
    Average Salary: $206,534
    Uniphore uses artificial intelligence to improve customer service for companies.


  4. Jazz Pharmaceuticals
    Average Salary: $200,384
    Jazz Pharmaceuticals makes medicines to treat illnesses. They focus on areas with big needs.


  5. Match Group
    Average Salary: $189,153
    Match Group owns dating sites like Tinder and OkCupid. They help people find relationships.


  6. Amazon Web Services
    Average Salary: $184,931
    Amazon Web Services helps other companies with their computer needs. They provide tools and services.


  7. GEICO
    Average Salary: $183,518
    GEICO sells car insurance. They aim to make insurance easy and affordable.


  8. Amazon.com
    Average Salary: $182,210
    Amazon is a giant online store. They sell many products and offer services like Amazon Prime.


  9. HP
    Average Salary: $168,397
    HP makes computers, printers, and other tech products. They serve both consumers and businesses.


  10. One Medical
    Average Salary: $159,958
    One Medical provides healthcare services. They focus on making healthcare more accessible and personal.

How does the cost of living in Palo Alto, CA compare to the national average?

The cost of living in Palo Alto, CA, significantly exceeds the nationwide average. Housing costs, for example, are 374% higher than the national average. Other expenses, such as groceries, utilities, and transportation, also show elevated costs, ranging from 17% to 22% above the average.
Cost of living comparison graph for Palo Alto, CA vs. Nationwide: housing 374% higher, groceries 17% higher, utilities 18% higher, transportation 22% higher, healthcare 12% higher, miscellaneous 28% higher.

The cost of living in Palo Alto, California, significantly exceeds the nationwide average, which is set at 100. Housing costs in Palo Alto stand at 474, which is nearly five times higher than the average. This dramatic increase reflects the high demand for housing in this tech hub and the limited availability of affordable options. Residents can expect to spend substantially more on housing compared to other parts of the country.


Other expenses in Palo Alto also surpass the average. Groceries, for instance, cost 117, which is 17% higher than the national average. Utilities and transportation costs are also elevated, at 118 and 122, respectively. Healthcare costs are slightly above average at 112, while miscellaneous expenses are at 128. These figures indicate that living in Palo Alto involves higher expenditures across various categories, making it essential for job seekers to consider these costs when planning their move.

There are 1,584 job openings in Palo Alto, CA, today!

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Palo Alto, CA
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