Overview Salaries

Salaries in Santa Monica, CA

Updated on Nov 10, 2025
City
Salary

What is the average salary in Santa Monica, CA?

The average salary in Santa Monica, CA is $81,297 per year.
Yearly
Monthly
Weekly
Hourly
Graph depicting the yearly salary distribution for Santa Monica, CA, showing an average salary of $81,297 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.
Graph depicting the monthly salary distribution for Santa Monica, CA, showing an average salary of $6,775 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.
Graph depicting the weekly salary distribution for Santa Monica, CA, showing an average salary of $1,563 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.
Graph depicting the hourly salary distribution for Santa Monica, CA, showing an average salary of $39 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.

Santa Monica, CA, offers a variety of job opportunities with competitive salaries. The average yearly salary in the area is $81,297. This figure reflects the diverse economic landscape, where different industries contribute to the overall salary range.


The salary distribution shows a range of earnings across various sectors. The highest-paying jobs include roles in technology, finance, and healthcare. These positions often require specialized skills and experience. Other notable sectors with good salaries are entertainment, marketing, and real estate. Job seekers in Santa Monica can find rewarding positions with attractive compensation packages.

View jobs in Santa Monica, CA
View all jobs in Santa Monica, CA

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

Santa Monica offers a variety of high-paying jobs for skilled professionals. Nurse Practitioners lead the way with an average salary of $180,235. Pharmacists also earn well, with an average of $179,684 annually. Software Engineers, Product Managers, and Finance Managers round out the top five, each earning over $148,000 per year. Other well-compensated roles in Santa Monica include Nuclear Medicine Technologists, Clinical Supervisors, and Registered Nurses. These positions offer salaries ranging from $137,206 to $127,929. Speech Language Pathologists and Traveling Nurses also enjoy competitive pay, with average salaries of $125,297 and $122,131, respectively. These jobs provide excellent opportunities for those seeking a rewarding career in Santa Monica.
Graph displaying best paying job salaries in Santa Monica, CA, highlighting Nurse Practitioner with the highest at $180,235 and Traveling Nurse with the lowest at $122,131.

  1. Nurse Practitioner
    Average Salary: $180,235
    Nurse Practitioners provide primary and specialty care. They work in hospitals and clinics. They diagnose and treat health conditions.
    Find Nurse Practitioner jobs in Santa Monica, CA


  2. Pharmacist
    Average Salary: $179,684
    Pharmacists fill prescriptions and advise patients. They work in pharmacies and hospitals. They ensure safe and effective medication use.
    Find Pharmacist jobs in Santa Monica, CA


  3. Software Engineer
    Average Salary: $167,881
    Software Engineers design and develop software. They work for tech companies. They create applications and systems to meet user needs.
    Find Software Engineer jobs in Santa Monica, CA


  4. Product Manager
    Average Salary: $150,412
    Product Managers oversee product development. They work in tech and consumer goods companies. They ensure products meet market needs and goals.
    Find Product Manager jobs in Santa Monica, CA


  5. Finance Manager
    Average Salary: $148,200
    Finance Managers oversee financial operations. They work in various industries. They manage budgets, investments, and financial planning.
    Find Finance Manager jobs in Santa Monica, CA


  6. Nuclear Medicine Technologist
    Average Salary: $137,206
    Nuclear Medicine Technologists operate imaging equipment. They work in hospitals and clinics. They help diagnose and treat diseases using radioactive materials.
    Find Nuclear Medicine Technologist jobs in Santa Monica, CA


  7. Clinical Supervisor
    Average Salary: $132,358
    Clinical Supervisors manage healthcare teams. They work in hospitals and clinics. They ensure high-quality patient care and staff performance.
    Find Clinical Supervisor jobs in Santa Monica, CA


  8. Registered Nurse
    Average Salary: $127,929
    Registered Nurses provide patient care. They work in hospitals and clinics. They monitor patients, administer treatments, and support doctors.
    Find Registered Nurse jobs in Santa Monica, CA


  9. Speech Language Pathologist
    Average Salary: $125,297
    Speech Language Pathologists treat communication disorders. They work in schools and clinics. They help patients improve speech and language skills.
    Find Speech Language Pathologist jobs in Santa Monica, CA


  10. Traveling Nurse
    Average Salary: $122,131
    Traveling Nurses work in various locations. They provide patient care. They often work in hospitals and travel frequently.
    Find Traveling Nurse jobs in Santa Monica, CA

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. Restaurant managers can earn an average of $88,077 annually, while kitchen managers make around $73,343 per year. These roles provide excellent opportunities for those seeking well-paying jobs without needing formal education. Other top-paying positions include beauty consultants, who earn about $48,337, and housekeeping staff, with an average salary of $43,409. These jobs offer competitive pay and the chance to work in a vibrant city. Positions like server assistants, line cooks, and baristas also provide good income and valuable experience.
Graph displaying best paying job salaries in Santa Monica, CA without a degree, highlighting Restaurant Manager with the highest at $88,077 and Service Team Member with the lowest at $39,032.

  1. Restaurant Manager
    Average Salary: $88,077
    Manage daily operations of a restaurant. Oversee staff, ensure customer satisfaction, and handle finances. Work in a dynamic environment with companies like Nobu and The Ivy.
    Find Restaurant Manager jobs in Santa Monica, CA


  2. Kitchen Manager
    Average Salary: $73,343
    Supervise kitchen staff and ensure food quality. Coordinate with chefs and servers. Experience in high-end restaurants like The Tasting Room.
    Find Kitchen Manager jobs in Santa Monica, CA


  3. Beauty Consultant
    Average Salary: $48,337
    Provide beauty advice and product recommendations. Work in stores like Sephora. Engage with clients to enhance their beauty routines.
    Find Beauty Consultant jobs in Santa Monica, CA


  4. Housekeeping
    Average Salary: $43,409
    Clean and maintain hotel rooms. Ensure a comfortable environment for guests. Work in luxury hotels like the Fairmont Miramar Hotel.
    Find Housekeeping jobs in Santa Monica, CA


  5. Server Assistant
    Average Salary: $43,120
    Support servers in a restaurant. Take orders, serve food, and ensure customer satisfaction. Experience in places like The Cheesecake Factory.
    Find Server Assistant jobs in Santa Monica, CA


  6. Recreation Assistant
    Average Salary: $42,688
    Organize activities and events for guests. Work in resorts like the Santa Monica Resort. Ensure a fun and engaging experience for all.
    Find Recreation Assistant jobs in Santa Monica, CA


  7. Line Cook
    Average Salary: $41,577
    Prepare food in a fast-paced kitchen. Work in restaurants like The Lobster. Ensure dishes are cooked to perfection.
    Find Line Cook jobs in Santa Monica, CA


  8. Server
    Average Salary: $40,824
    Serve food and drinks to customers. Ensure a pleasant dining experience. Work in places like The Ivy.
    Find Server jobs in Santa Monica, CA


  9. Barista
    Average Salary: $39,764
    Prepare and serve coffee and other beverages. Work in coffee shops like Starbucks. Engage with customers to provide a great service.
    Find Barista jobs in Santa Monica, CA


  10. Service Team Member
    Average Salary: $39,032
    Provide excellent customer service. Work in retail stores like Apple. Ensure customers have a positive shopping experience.
    Find Service Team Member jobs in Santa Monica, CA

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

Job seekers in Santa Monica, CA, have several top-paying companies to consider. Kite Pharma leads the pack with an average salary of $176,874. Following closely are Amazon Web Services and Pete Health, offering average salaries of $172,117 and $170,603, respectively. These companies provide competitive compensation packages, making them attractive options for professionals seeking rewarding career opportunities. Other notable companies include GoodRx, Roku, and Amazon.com, all offering average salaries above $150,000. AstraZeneca, Activision, The Walt Disney Company, and Red Bull also provide solid salaries, ranging from $137,243 to $105,143. These companies represent a range of industries, offering diverse opportunities for job seekers in Santa Monica.
Graph displaying company salaries in Santa Monica, CA, highlighting Kite Pharma with the highest at $176,874 and Red Bull with the lowest at $105,143.

  1. Kite Pharma
    Average Salary: $176,874
    Kite Pharma is a biotech company that develops cancer therapies. They offer competitive salaries and a dynamic work environment.


  2. Amazon Web Services
    Average Salary: $172,117
    Amazon Web Services provides cloud computing services. They are known for their high salaries and excellent benefits.


  3. Pete Health
    Average Salary: $170,603
    Pete Health is a healthcare company focused on improving patient care. They offer attractive compensation packages.


  4. GoodRx
    Average Salary: $166,606
    GoodRx helps people save money on their prescriptions. They provide competitive salaries and a supportive work culture.


  5. Roku
    Average Salary: $159,511
    Roku is a leading streaming platform. They offer good salaries and opportunities for career growth.


  6. Amazon.com
    Average Salary: $145,426
    Amazon is a global e-commerce giant. They offer a range of benefits and competitive pay.


  7. AstraZeneca
    Average Salary: $137,243
    AstraZeneca is a pharmaceutical company. They provide good salaries and a chance to work on important projects.


  8. Activision
    Average Salary: $124,412
    Activision is a video game developer. They offer competitive pay and a fun work environment.


  9. The Walt Disney Company
    Average Salary: $123,881
    The Walt Disney Company is a media giant. They offer good salaries and a chance to work on iconic projects.


  10. Red Bull
    Average Salary: $105,143
    Red Bull is a beverage company known for its energy drinks. They offer competitive pay and a vibrant work culture.

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 cost of living index in Santa Monica is 150, which is 50% higher than the average of 100. This increase is largely due to the housing costs, which are 250 on the index, indicating a significant premium for living in this area. Job seekers should consider these elevated costs when making relocation decisions. While the city offers many amenities, the higher expenses in housing and other areas will impact overall living expenses.
Cost of living comparison graph for Santa Monica, CA vs. Nationwide: housing 150% higher, groceries 30% higher, utilities 10% higher, transportation 20% higher, healthcare 5% higher, miscellaneous 15% higher.

Santa Monica, California, has a higher cost of living compared to the nationwide average. The housing index in Santa Monica stands at 250, which is 150% higher than the national average. This significant increase reflects the high demand and limited supply of housing in the area. Job seekers should be aware that housing costs in Santa Monica are notably steeper, potentially requiring a larger portion of their budget.


Other expenses in Santa Monica also exceed the national average. For instance, groceries cost 130% of the average, utilities are 110%, and transportation is 120%. Even healthcare, at 105%, and miscellaneous items, at 115%, are slightly higher than the national average. These figures indicate that living in Santa Monica involves higher spending across various categories. Job seekers should consider these costs when planning their finances and lifestyle in the area.

There are 1,293 job openings in Santa Monica, CA, today!

View Jobs in Santa Monica, CA

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
1,293 Job Openings

Win at hiring.

Visit the help center for any questions.
Contact Support
ReadySetHire icon
©2025 • ReadySetHire