Salaries in Santa Monica, CA

Updated on Jun 05, 2025
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Salary

What is the average salary in Santa Monica, CA?

The average salary in Santa Monica, CA is $75,585 per year.

Santa Monica, CA, offers a range of salary opportunities across various industries. The average salary in Santa Monica is $75,585. This figure provides a good benchmark for job seekers. The city's economy supports a diverse job market, with many high-paying positions available.


Here are some salary figures for different job sectors in Santa Monica:

  • Information Technology: $112,454
  • Healthcare: $96,871
  • Finance: $143,619
  • Marketing: $81,288
  • Education: $50,123
  • Retail: $34,540
  • Hospitality: $65,705
  • Construction: $128,036
  • Real Estate: $159,202
  • Legal: $174,785
  • Other: $190,367

View jobs in Santa Monica, CA

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

Santa Monica offers a variety of high-paying job opportunities for skilled professionals. Software Engineers, Pharmacists, and Finance Managers lead the list with competitive salaries. These roles require specialized skills and education, but they offer excellent compensation and career growth potential. In Santa Monica, top-paying jobs include Software Engineers, Pharmacists, and Finance Managers. These positions demand specific expertise and often require advanced degrees. Job seekers in these fields can expect attractive salaries and a chance to work in a vibrant, dynamic environment.
Graph displaying best paying job salaries in Santa Monica, CA, highlighting Software Engineer with the highest at $162,839 and Police Officer with the lowest at $109,195.
  1. Software Engineer
    Average Salary: $162,839
    This role involves creating software applications. Companies like tech startups and established firms seek skilled developers. They focus on coding, testing, and debugging to ensure quality.
    Find Software Engineer jobs in Santa Monica, CA


  2. Pharmacist
    Average Salary: $161,651
    Pharmacists fill prescriptions and advise patients on medication. They work in pharmacies and hospitals. Their role is crucial for patient health and safety.
    Find Pharmacist jobs in Santa Monica, CA


  3. Finance Manager
    Average Salary: $150,448
    Finance managers oversee financial health. They work in various sectors, including tech and healthcare. Their duties include budgeting, reporting, and financial planning.
    Find Finance Manager jobs in Santa Monica, CA


  4. Clinical Supervisor
    Average Salary: $142,676
    Clinical supervisors manage healthcare staff. They work in hospitals and clinics. Their role involves training, evaluating, and supporting staff to ensure quality care.
    Find Clinical Supervisor jobs in Santa Monica, CA


  5. Traveling Nurse
    Average Salary: $126,740
    Traveling nurses work in different locations. They provide care in various settings. Their flexibility allows them to gain diverse experiences.
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  6. Nurse Supervisor
    Average Salary: $125,166
    Nurse supervisors lead nursing teams. They work in hospitals and care facilities. Their role includes managing staff, ensuring patient care, and maintaining standards.
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  7. Registered Nurse
    Average Salary: $122,769
    Registered nurses provide patient care. They work in hospitals and clinics. Their duties include administering treatments, monitoring patients, and supporting families.
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  8. Speech Language Pathologist
    Average Salary: $118,928
    Speech language pathologists help patients with communication. They work in schools and clinics. Their role involves assessing, diagnosing, and treating speech and language disorders.
    Find Speech Language Pathologist jobs in Santa Monica, CA


  9. Care Manager
    Average Salary: $116,816
    Care managers coordinate patient care. They work in hospitals and care facilities. Their role involves planning, organizing, and ensuring quality care for patients.
    Find Care Manager jobs in Santa Monica, CA


  10. Police Officer
    Average Salary: $109,195
    Police officers ensure public safety. They work for local law enforcement agencies. Their duties include patrolling, investigating crimes, and maintaining law and order.
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What are the best paying jobs in Santa Monica, CA without a degree?

Santa Monica offers several high-paying jobs that do not require a college degree. Kitchen Managers can earn up to $82,273 annually, while Beauty Consultants make around $46,688. These roles provide good income and opportunities for career growth. Other well-paying positions include Server Assistants, who earn about $43,187, and Line Cooks, with salaries around $41,402. These positions offer competitive pay and can be a great start for those looking to enter the workforce without a degree.
Graph displaying best paying job salaries in Santa Monica, CA without a degree, highlighting Kitchen Manager with the highest at $82,273 and Kitchen Team Member with the lowest at $36,844.
  1. Kitchen Manager
    Average Salary: $82,273
    Manage kitchen staff and operations. Oversee food preparation and ensure quality. Work in upscale restaurants and hotels.
    Find Kitchen Manager jobs in Santa Monica, CA


  2. Beauty Consultant
    Average Salary: $46,688
    Help clients choose beauty products. Provide skincare and makeup advice. Work in high-end stores and spas.
    Find Beauty Consultant jobs in Santa Monica, CA


  3. Housekeeping
    Average Salary: $44,237
    Clean and maintain rooms in hotels and resorts. Ensure a tidy and comfortable environment. Work in luxury accommodations.
    Find Housekeeping jobs in Santa Monica, CA


  4. Server Assistant
    Average Salary: $43,187
    Help servers with table setup and clearing. Serve food and drinks to guests. Work in busy restaurants and cafes.
    Find Server Assistant jobs in Santa Monica, CA


  5. Line Cook
    Average Salary: $41,402
    Prepare food quickly and efficiently. Work in a fast-paced kitchen. Cook for restaurants and cafes.
    Find Line Cook jobs in Santa Monica, CA


  6. Server
    Average Salary: $40,467
    Take orders and serve food and drinks. Ensure a pleasant dining experience. Work in various dining establishments.
    Find Server jobs in Santa Monica, CA


  7. Barista
    Average Salary: $38,611
    Prepare and serve coffee and other beverages. Interact with customers. Work in coffee shops and cafes.
    Find Barista jobs in Santa Monica, CA


  8. Yard Worker
    Average Salary: $37,545
    Maintain lawns and gardens. Perform landscaping tasks. Work for property management companies.
    Find Yard Worker jobs in Santa Monica, CA


  9. Service Team Member
    Average Salary: $36,967
    Provide excellent customer service. Handle inquiries and complaints. Work in retail and hospitality.
    Find Service Team Member jobs in Santa Monica, CA


  10. Kitchen Team Member
    Average Salary: $36,844
    Assist in food preparation and cooking. Work in a team environment. Serve in various dining settings.
    Find Kitchen Team Member jobs in Santa Monica, CA

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

Job seekers in Santa Monica, CA, have many opportunities with top-paying companies. CyberCoders leads with an average salary of $166,282. Kite Pharma and GoodRx follow closely, offering salaries around $163,760 and $158,332, respectively. These companies provide competitive compensation packages, making Santa Monica an attractive place for professionals seeking higher earnings. Amazon Web Services, AstraZeneca, and Amazon.com also offer attractive salaries, ranging from $146,802 to $127,213. Activision, The Walt Disney Company, and Red Bull provide solid compensation, with salaries around $127,180, $118,837, and $102,473. UCLA Health rounds out the list with an average salary of $95,645. These companies present excellent job opportunities for those looking to advance their careers in Santa Monica.
Graph displaying company salaries in Santa Monica, CA, highlighting CyberCoders with the highest at $166,282 and UCLA Health with the lowest at $95,645.
  1. CyberCoders
    Average Salary: $166,282
    CyberCoders is a tech staffing company. They connect tech talent with top companies.


  2. Kite Pharma
    Average Salary: $163,760
    Kite Pharma is a biotech company. They focus on cancer treatments.


  3. GoodRx
    Average Salary: $158,332
    GoodRx helps people save on prescription drugs. They offer discounts and coupons.


  4. Amazon Web Services
    Average Salary: $146,802
    Amazon Web Services offers cloud computing services. They help businesses with their IT needs.


  5. AstraZeneca
    Average Salary: $135,797
    AstraZeneca is a global pharmaceutical company. They develop and sell medicines.


  6. Amazon.com
    Average Salary: $127,213
    Amazon is a global e-commerce giant. They sell a wide range of products.


  7. Activision
    Average Salary: $127,180
    Activision is a video game publisher. They create popular games like Call of Duty.


  8. The Walt Disney Company
    Average Salary: $118,837
    The Walt Disney Company is a media giant. They produce movies, TV shows, and theme park experiences.


  9. Red Bull
    Average Salary: $102,473
    Red Bull is a beverage company. They make energy drinks and sponsor extreme sports events.


  10. UCLA Health
    Average Salary: $95,645
    UCLA Health is a healthcare provider. They offer medical services and research opportunities.

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

Santa Monica, CA, has a notably higher cost of living compared to the nationwide average. The housing index alone stands at 264, which is 164% of the national average. This significant increase indicates that housing costs in Santa Monica are more than double the average cost across the country. Other categories, such as groceries and utilities, also exceed the average, with indices of 123 and 115, respectively. These figures highlight the elevated expenses job seekers may face in Santa Monica.
Cost of living comparison graph for Santa Monica, CA vs. Nationwide: housing 164% higher, groceries 23% higher, utilities 15% higher, transportation 35% higher, healthcare 0% lower, miscellaneous 20% higher.

Santa Monica, CA, has a higher cost of living compared to the nationwide average. The housing index in Santa Monica stands at 264, which is 164% higher than the national average. This means that housing costs in Santa Monica are more than double the average cost across the country. Job seekers should be prepared for significantly higher housing expenses.


Other expenses in Santa Monica also exceed the national average. For instance, groceries cost 123 on the index, which is 23% higher than the average. Utilities are 15% higher at 115, and transportation costs are 35% higher at 135. Even though healthcare costs are on par with the national average at 100, miscellaneous expenses are 20% higher at 120. These figures highlight the need for careful financial planning for those considering relocating to Santa Monica.

There are 1,418 job openings in Santa Monica, CA, today!

Take a deeper dive into the job market in Santa Monica, CA

Discover what it's like to work in Santa Monica, CA. Learn if you need a car, explore popular employers, the job market, and the best neighborhoods to live in.
City
Overview
Santa Monica, CA
1,418 Job Openings