Salaries in Santa Clara, CA

Updated on Jun 05, 2025
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Salary

What is the average salary in Santa Clara, CA?

The average salary in Santa Clara, CA is $117,964 per year.
Yearly
Monthly
Weekly
Hourly
Graph depicting the yearly salary distribution for Santa Clara, CA, showing an average salary of $117,964 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.
Graph depicting the monthly salary distribution for Santa Clara, CA, showing an average salary of $9,830 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.
Graph depicting the weekly salary distribution for Santa Clara, CA, showing an average salary of $2,269 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.
Graph depicting the hourly salary distribution for Santa Clara, CA, showing an average salary of $57 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.

Santa Clara, CA, offers competitive salaries across various industries. The average salary in the area is around $117,964. This figure reflects the high demand for skilled professionals in tech and other sectors.


Some of the top-paying jobs in Santa Clara include software developers, who earn an average of $150,145, and data scientists, who make about $172,955. Other high-paying roles include project managers, earning around $195,764, and financial managers, making about $218,573. These figures highlight the strong job market and the potential for career growth in the area.

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What are the best paying jobs in Santa Clara, CA?

Santa Clara, California, offers some of the best-paying jobs in the tech industry. Principal Engineers, Solutions Architects, and Architects lead the way with high salaries. These roles require strong technical skills and leadership abilities, making them highly valued in the area. Machine Learning Engineers, DevOps Engineers, and Technical Programs Managers also earn top wages. These positions demand expertise in technology and project management. Santa Clara's tech-focused environment provides excellent opportunities for those with the right skills.
Graph displaying best paying job salaries in Santa Clara, CA, highlighting Principal Engineer with the highest at $217,152 and Nurse Manager with the lowest at $184,531.

  1. Principal Engineer
    Average Salary: $217,152
    Principal Engineers work on complex projects, often in tech companies. They design and implement software solutions. They collaborate with teams to ensure projects meet goals.
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  2. Solutions Architect
    Average Salary: $216,138
    Solutions Architects create system designs for businesses. They work with tech companies to build efficient solutions. They ensure systems meet business needs and goals.
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  3. Architect
    Average Salary: $213,278
    Architects design buildings and structures. They work with construction firms and developers. They ensure projects are safe, functional, and meet design standards.
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  4. Machine Learning Engineer
    Average Salary: $209,543
    Machine Learning Engineers develop algorithms. They work with tech companies to create models. They improve systems and processes using data.
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  5. DevOps Engineer
    Average Salary: $194,783
    DevOps Engineers manage software development. They work with tech companies to automate processes. They ensure smooth operations between development and IT.
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  6. Technical Programs Manager
    Average Salary: $194,679
    Technical Programs Managers oversee projects. They work with tech companies to ensure projects are on time. They coordinate teams and resources to meet goals.
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  7. Integration Engineer
    Average Salary: $194,309
    Integration Engineers connect different systems. They work with tech companies to ensure systems work together. They solve technical issues and improve processes.
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  8. Firmware Engineer
    Average Salary: $189,526
    Firmware Engineers develop software for devices. They work with tech companies to create reliable systems. They test and improve firmware for various devices.
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  9. Product Manager
    Average Salary: $186,285
    Product Managers lead product development. They work with tech companies to create new products. They understand market needs and guide teams to success.
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  10. Nurse Manager
    Average Salary: $184,531
    Nurse Managers oversee nursing staff. They work in healthcare facilities to ensure quality care. They manage schedules, training, and patient care.
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What are the best paying jobs in Santa Clara, CA without a degree?

Santa Clara, CA, offers several high-paying jobs that do not require a college degree. Restaurant managers can earn around $79,655 annually, overseeing daily operations and staff. To Go specialists, who handle takeout orders, can earn about $64,284 per year, ensuring customers receive their orders quickly and correctly. Other well-paying roles include server assistants, who assist with seating and taking orders, and groundskeepers, who maintain the property. These jobs provide good income and opportunities for career growth without needing a degree.
Graph displaying best paying job salaries in Santa Clara, CA without a degree, highlighting Restaurant Manager with the highest at $79,655 and Service Team Member with the lowest at $42,240.

  1. Restaurant Manager
    Average Salary: $79,655
    Manage daily operations of a restaurant. Oversee staff and ensure customer satisfaction. Work in a fast-paced environment with companies like Google and Apple.
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  2. To Go Specialist
    Average Salary: $64,284
    Prepare and package food for takeout. Ensure orders are accurate and timely. Serve a diverse clientele in a busy setting.
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  3. Server Assistant
    Average Salary: $52,874
    Help servers with tasks like seating guests and clearing tables. Provide excellent customer service. Work in a dynamic environment with tech companies.
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  4. Groundskeeper
    Average Salary: $50,169
    Maintain the grounds of properties. Perform tasks like mowing, trimming, and planting. Work outdoors in a variety of settings.
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  5. Housekeeping
    Average Salary: $49,018
    Clean and maintain guest rooms and public areas. Ensure a high standard of cleanliness. Work in hotels and resorts in a busy area.
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  6. Server
    Average Salary: $48,546
    Take orders and serve food and drinks to customers. Provide friendly service. Work in a fast-paced environment with a diverse clientele.
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  7. Floor Tech
    Average Salary: $46,073
    Clean and maintain the floors of a facility. Use various cleaning tools and equipment. Work in a variety of environments, including offices and hotels.
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  8. Line Cook
    Average Salary: $43,811
    Prepare ingredients and cook food in a fast-paced kitchen. Work under pressure to meet deadlines. Serve a diverse clientele in a busy setting.
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  9. Yard Worker
    Average Salary: $43,769
    Perform various yard maintenance tasks. Work outdoors in different weather conditions. Serve a diverse clientele in a busy area.
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  10. Service Team Member
    Average Salary: $42,240
    Provide excellent customer service. Assist customers with their needs. Work in a fast-paced environment with a diverse clientele.
    Find Service Team Member jobs in Santa Clara, CA

Which companies offer the top salaries in Santa Clara, CA?

Santa Clara's top companies offer competitive salaries, making them attractive for job seekers. Leading the pack is NVIDIA, with an average salary of $217,915. Apple follows closely with an average salary of $210,493. Other notable companies include Oski Technology, Qualcomm, and d-Matrix, all offering salaries above $200,000. These companies provide excellent opportunities for professionals seeking high compensation. Pure Storage, ServiceNow, and Palo Alto Networks also offer salaries over $200,000. Ampere Computing and Intel Corporation round out the list with average salaries of $175,169 and $171,907, respectively. Job seekers in Santa Clara can find rewarding positions with these leading employers.
Graph displaying company salaries in Santa Clara, CA, highlighting NVIDIA with the highest at $217,915 and Intel Corporation with the lowest at $171,907.

  1. NVIDIA
    Average Salary: $217,915
    NVIDIA is a leader in visual computing technology. They create graphics for gaming, data centers, and more. They offer competitive salaries and benefits.


  2. Apple
    Average Salary: $210,493
    Apple designs and sells consumer electronics, computers, and online services. They are known for their innovation and quality. Apple offers attractive compensation packages.


  3. Oski Technology
    Average Salary: $210,389
    Oski Technology provides software solutions for businesses. They focus on improving efficiency and productivity. Their employees enjoy a good salary and benefits.


  4. Qualcomm
    Average Salary: $206,261
    Qualcomm is a global leader in wireless technology. They develop products for mobile devices and other tech. They offer competitive pay and benefits.


  5. d-Matrix
    Average Salary: $203,217
    d-Matrix offers software solutions for the semiconductor industry. They help companies design and manufacture chips. Their employees benefit from a good salary and benefits.


  6. Pure Storage
    Average Salary: $203,167
    Pure Storage specializes in data storage solutions. They provide products for businesses to manage their data. They offer competitive salaries and benefits.


  7. ServiceNow
    Average Salary: $201,431
    ServiceNow offers cloud-based software for enterprise management. They help companies manage workflows and IT services. Their employees enjoy a good salary and benefits.


  8. Palo Alto Networks
    Average Salary: $192,602
    Palo Alto Networks provides cybersecurity solutions. They help companies protect their data and networks. They offer competitive pay and benefits.


  9. Ampere Computing
    Average Salary: $175,169
    Ampere Computing designs processors for data centers. They focus on high-performance computing. Their employees benefit from a good salary and benefits.


  10. Intel Corporation
    Average Salary: $171,907
    Intel Corporation is a leading manufacturer of semiconductors. They produce processors for computers and other devices. They offer competitive salaries and benefits.

How does the cost of living in Santa Clara, CA compare to the national average?

Santa Clara, CA, has a higher cost of living compared to the nationwide average. The cost of living index in Santa Clara is 258 for housing, which is 158% higher than the national average. Other categories like groceries and utilities also show significant increases, with groceries at 139% and utilities at 104% of the national average. This data suggests that living in Santa Clara is notably more expensive than the average U.S. city.
Cost of living comparison graph for Santa Clara, CA vs. Nationwide: housing 158% higher, groceries 39% higher, utilities 4% higher, transportation 21% higher, healthcare 15% higher, miscellaneous 32% higher.

Santa Clara, CA, has a higher cost of living compared to the nationwide average, which is set at 100. The housing index stands at 258, indicating that housing costs are significantly higher than the average. This means that housing expenses in Santa Clara are nearly 158% of the national average. For job seekers considering Santa Clara, this high housing index suggests that they should budget for substantially more in rent or mortgage payments.


Other expenses in Santa Clara also exceed the national average. Groceries have a cost of living index of 139, which is 39% higher than the average. Utilities, at 104, are 4% higher, while transportation costs, at 121, are 21% higher. Healthcare costs, at 115, are 15% higher, and miscellaneous expenses, at 132, are 32% higher. These figures collectively show that living in Santa Clara involves higher costs across various categories, making it important for job seekers to consider these factors when planning their move.

There are 2,359 job openings in Santa Clara, CA, today!

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Santa Clara, CA
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