What is the average salary in Santa Maria, CA?
Santa Maria, CA, offers a range of salaries across different industries. The average yearly salary in Santa Maria is $65,854. This average reflects the diverse job market available in the area.
Key industries contributing to these salary levels include:
- Construction: 38.97% of the workforce
- Retail: 20.53% of the workforce
- Healthcare: 7.92% of the workforce
- Education: 6.71% of the workforce
- Manufacturing: 4.65% of the workforce
- Technology: 4.08% of the workforce
- Finance: 4.72% of the workforce
- Hospitality: 3.63% of the workforce
- Transportation: 1.95% of the workforce
- Agriculture: 1.19% of the workforce
- Arts and entertainment: 0.66% of the workforce
What are the best paying jobs in Santa Maria, CA?

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Physician
Average Salary: $360,106
Doctors in Santa Maria, CA, work in hospitals, private practices, and clinics. They diagnose and treat illnesses and injuries. Many doctors specialize in fields like family medicine, pediatrics, or surgery.
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Nurse Practitioner
Average Salary: $157,676
Nurse practitioners (NPs) provide primary and specialty care. They work in clinics and hospitals, often collaborating with physicians. NPs handle patient exams, diagnose conditions, and prescribe treatments.
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Pharmacist
Average Salary: $148,908
Pharmacists in Santa Maria, CA, work in pharmacies and healthcare settings. They fill prescriptions, counsel patients on medications, and ensure safe drug use. Pharmacists often work with doctors and nurses.
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Speech Language Pathologist
Average Salary: $139,687
Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) help people with communication and swallowing issues. They work in schools, hospitals, and rehabilitation centers. SLPs evaluate, diagnose, and provide therapy for speech and language problems.
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Occupational Therapist
Average Salary: $126,460
Occupational therapists (OTs) assist people in performing daily activities. They work in hospitals, schools, and rehabilitation centers. OTs develop treatment plans to improve patients' ability to do tasks.
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Registered Nurse
Average Salary: $119,860
RNs provide patient care in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities. They monitor patients, administer medications, and assist doctors. RNs play a key role in patient recovery and well-being.
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Radiologic Technologist
Average Salary: $103,594
Radiologic technologists operate imaging equipment to help diagnose illnesses. They work in hospitals and clinics, taking X-rays and other imaging scans. Technologists ensure images are clear and accurate.
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Clinical Supervisor
Average Salary: $96,835
Clinical supervisors oversee healthcare staff and operations. They ensure staff follow protocols and provide high-quality care. Supervisors often work in hospitals and outpatient clinics, supporting patient services.
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Behavior Analyst
Average Salary: $92,992
Behavior analysts work with people to improve behaviors. They often help children with autism. Behavior analysts create treatment plans and provide therapy, working in schools and clinics.
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General Manager
Average Salary: $84,246
General managers oversee business operations. They manage staff, budgets, and day-to-day activities. Managers work in retail, restaurants, and other businesses in Santa Maria, CA, ensuring smooth operations.
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What are the best paying jobs in Santa Maria, CA without a degree?

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Concrete Finisher
Average Salary: $53,167
This role involves smoothing and finishing concrete to make it smooth. Workers often find themselves on construction sites, building and enhancing various structures. Companies in the area, like local construction firms, need skilled workers.
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Groundskeeper
Average Salary: $43,972
A groundskeeper keeps parks, schools, and other public spaces clean and well-maintained. Tasks include mowing lawns, planting flowers, and trimming trees. Local parks and schools rely on these professionals.
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Barista
Average Salary: $42,762
Preparing coffee drinks is key in this position. Workers serve customers and make sure each cup is just right. Many cafes and coffee shops in the city offer these roles. Starbucks and local cafes are always looking for skilled baristas.
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Kitchen Team Member
Average Salary: $42,047
Assisting in kitchen tasks is the main focus here. Workers prepare ingredients and help chefs cook. Restaurants and cafes value these team members. Places like local diners and eateries need reliable kitchen staff.
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Line Cook
Average Salary: $38,681
Line cooks prepare food quickly and efficiently. They cook large quantities of food in fast-paced environments. Restaurants, especially those with a lot of customers, need skilled line cooks. Local eateries and fast-food chains are great places to work.
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Housekeeping
Average Salary: $37,085
Keeping rooms clean and tidy is a big part of this job. Workers clean beds, bathrooms, and common areas. Hotels and motels need housekeeping staff to ensure everything looks nice. Many hotels in the city are always looking for dependable workers.
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Dishwasher
Average Salary: $36,565
Washing dishes is the main duty. Workers ensure all dishes, glasses, and utensils are clean. Restaurants and cafes rely on dishwashers to keep their kitchens running smoothly. Local restaurants and cafes are often hiring.
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Server
Average Salary: $36,030
Taking orders and serving food to customers is essential. Servers need to be friendly and attentive. Restaurants and cafes always need servers to ensure a good customer experience. Many places in the city offer these opportunities.
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Which companies offer the top salaries in Santa Maria, CA?

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Vitana Inc
Average Salary: $119,032
Vitana Inc specializes in engineering and technology. It offers competitive salaries and excellent benefits.
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Amergis Healthcare Staffing
Average Salary: $96,893
Amergis Healthcare Staffing places healthcare professionals in various roles. They provide good pay and growth opportunities.
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CommonSpirit Health Mountain Region
Average Salary: $95,727
CommonSpirit Health Mountain Region focuses on patient care. It is known for its supportive work environment and strong compensation.
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Community Health Centers of the Central Coast, Inc.
Average Salary: $87,119
This company provides healthcare services. They offer a fair salary and aim to improve community health.
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Allan Hancock College
Average Salary: $82,985
Allan Hancock College offers higher education. It pays competitively and supports career growth.
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The Stepping Stones Group, LLC
Average Salary: $82,700
The Stepping Stones Group, LLC focuses on healthcare staffing. They provide good salaries and benefits for their employees.
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CoastHills Credit Union
Average Salary: $62,948
CoastHills Credit Union offers financial services. It provides a stable salary and a good work environment.
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Merrill Gardens
Average Salary: $60,569
Merrill Gardens provides senior living services. It offers fair compensation and a caring workplace.
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Telecare Corporation
Average Salary: $60,396
Telecare Corporation offers mental health services. It provides decent pay and opportunities for professional development.
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Walgreens
Average Salary: $54,547
Walgreens is a well-known pharmacy chain. It provides retail jobs with a fair salary.
How does the cost of living in Santa Maria, CA compare to the national average?

Santa Maria, California, exhibits a cost of living that varies from the nationwide average in several areas. Housing costs in Santa Maria are notably higher, with an index of 130. This means residents spend 30% more on housing than the average American. The difference in groceries is less pronounced, with an index of 105. This indicates that grocery expenses are 5% higher than the national average.
Transportation and utilities in Santa Maria also show slight increases compared to the nationwide figures. The transportation index stands at 115, which is 15% higher than average. Similarly, utility costs are 10% above the national average, with an index of 110. Healthcare and miscellaneous expenses, however, remain closer to the national average. Healthcare costs have an index of 95, meaning they are 5% lower, while miscellaneous expenses align exactly with the national average at 100. Overall, job seekers considering Santa Maria should be aware of these variations to better plan their budgets.



