City
Salary

What is the average salary in Santa Monica, CA?

The average salary in Santa Monica, CA is $84,163 per year.

Salaries in Santa Monica, CA, offer a range of opportunities for job seekers. The average yearly salary stands at $84,163, reflecting a competitive pay environment. Industries with the highest representation of jobs also tend to offer better compensation packages. The distribution of jobs across various sectors helps to understand salary potential in each field.


Different sectors pay differently, with some offering higher salaries than others. Here are the top sectors in Santa Monica and their average salaries:

  • Computer and mathematical occupations pay $225,000
  • Management occupations pay $207,795
  • Life, physical, and social science occupations pay $190,589
  • Architecture and engineering occupations pay $173,384
  • Business and financial operations occupations pay $156,178
  • Installation, maintenance, and repair occupations pay $138,973
  • Production occupations pay $121,767
  • Construction and extraction occupations pay $104,562
  • Sales and related occupations pay $87,356
  • Office and administrative support occupations pay $70,151
  • Service occupations pay $52,945
  • Other occupations pay $35,740

View jobs in Santa Monica, CA

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

Santa Monica offers many top-paying job opportunities for skilled professionals. Among the highest-paying jobs are Solution Architects, earning an average of $194,846 annually. Other well-compensated positions include Nurse Practitioners and Pharmacists, each bringing in over $184,000 per year. Positions in technology also pay well, with Software Engineers and Product Managers earning over $178,000 and $169,000 respectively. Business Developers, Directors, and Nuclear Medicine Technologists also enjoy competitive salaries. These jobs reflect Santa Monica's strong demand for skilled professionals in various sectors.
Graph displaying best paying job salaries in Santa Monica, CA, highlighting Solution Architect with the highest at $194,846 and Registered Nurse with the lowest at $136,004.
  1. Solution Architect
    Average Salary: $194,846
    This role involves designing solutions for complex business problems. It requires a deep understanding of the industry and technology. Major employers include tech giants and local start-ups.
    Find Solution Architect jobs in Santa Monica, CA


  2. Nurse Practitioner
    Average Salary: $190,003
    This professional provides advanced nursing care. They often work in hospitals or clinics, ensuring patients receive high-quality treatment. Local healthcare providers rely on their expertise.
    Find Nurse Practitioner jobs in Santa Monica, CA


  3. Pharmacist
    Average Salary: $184,865
    This position involves dispensing medication and advising patients. Pharmacists work in retail pharmacies or hospitals, ensuring safe and effective drug use.
    Find Pharmacist jobs in Santa Monica, CA


  4. Automotive Consultant
    Average Salary: $181,767
    They help customers find the right vehicle. Consultants work in dealership showrooms, matching customer needs with the right products.
    Find Automotive Consultant jobs in Santa Monica, CA


  5. Software Engineer
    Average Salary: $178,379
    This role involves designing and developing software solutions. Engineers work in tech companies, creating innovative products that meet user needs.
    Find Software Engineer jobs in Santa Monica, CA


  6. Product Manager
    Average Salary: $169,118
    This professional leads product development. They work closely with engineering and marketing teams to ensure successful product launches.
    Find Product Manager jobs in Santa Monica, CA


  7. Business Developer
    Average Salary: $159,486
    This position focuses on growing the business. Developers identify new markets and partnerships, driving growth for their company.
    Find Business Developer jobs in Santa Monica, CA


  8. Director
    Average Salary: $157,839
    This executive role involves overseeing operations. Directors set strategic goals and ensure the company meets its objectives.
    Find Director jobs in Santa Monica, CA


  9. Nuclear Medicine Technologist
    Average Salary: $141,978
    This specialist operates imaging equipment. They work in medical facilities, assisting in diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.
    Find Nuclear Medicine Technologist jobs in Santa Monica, CA


  10. Registered Nurse
    Average Salary: $136,004
    This role involves patient care and medical support. Nurses work in hospitals and clinics, ensuring patients receive the care they need.
    Find Registered Nurse jobs in Santa Monica, CA

What are the best paying jobs in Santa Monica, CA without a degree?

Looking for the best-paying jobs in Santa Monica without a degree? Several top-paying roles offer competitive salaries without requiring a college education. Beauty consultants, service team members, and server assistants lead the way with average salaries ranging from about $39,500 to over $45,000. These positions provide solid opportunities for those seeking high earnings in an environment where formal education is not mandatory. Other promising jobs include line cooks, housekeeping staff, and kitchen team members, all offering respectable incomes above $42,000. Roles like recreation assistants, baristas, and dishwashers also provide good earning potential. These jobs cater to various skill sets and interests, ensuring a range of options for job seekers in Santa Monica.
Graph displaying best paying job salaries in Santa Monica, CA without a degree, highlighting Beauty Consultant with the highest at $45,289 and Dishwasher with the lowest at $39,475.
  1. Beauty Consultant
    Average Salary: $45,289
    Help customers find the right beauty products. Work in a vibrant retail environment. Companies like Ulta Beauty offer this role.
    Find Beauty Consultant jobs in Santa Monica, CA


  2. Service Team Member
    Average Salary: $45,079
    Provide excellent service to guests. Work in high-end hotels. Experience with companies like Hilton or Hyatt.
    Find Service Team Member jobs in Santa Monica, CA


  3. Server Assistant
    Average Salary: $44,385
    Help servers with dining services. Work in popular restaurants. Experience in busy eateries is valuable.
    Find Server Assistant jobs in Santa Monica, CA


  4. Housekeeping
    Average Salary: $44,009
    Keep rooms clean and tidy. Work in hotels or resorts. Companies like Marriott or Wyndham offer these roles.
    Find Housekeeping jobs in Santa Monica, CA


  5. Line Cook
    Average Salary: $43,357
    Prepare meals quickly in a kitchen. Work in busy restaurants. Companies like In-N-Out or local eateries offer these roles.
    Find Line Cook jobs in Santa Monica, CA


  6. Recreation Assistant
    Average Salary: $43,071
    Organize activities for guests. Work in community centers or hotels. Companies like YMCA offer these roles.
    Find Recreation Assistant jobs in Santa Monica, CA


  7. Kitchen Team Member
    Average Salary: $42,982
    Assist in meal preparation. Work in restaurants or cafes. Companies like Panera Bread or local diners offer these roles.
    Find Kitchen Team Member jobs in Santa Monica, CA


  8. Server
    Average Salary: $42,048
    Serve food and drinks to customers. Work in restaurants or cafes. Experience in busy eateries is valuable.
    Find Server jobs in Santa Monica, CA


  9. Barista
    Average Salary: $41,488
    Prepare coffee and other drinks. Work in coffee shops. Companies like Starbucks offer these roles.
    Find Barista jobs in Santa Monica, CA


  10. Dishwasher
    Average Salary: $39,475
    Clean dishes and kitchen tools. Work in restaurants. Experience in busy kitchens is valuable.
    Find Dishwasher jobs in Santa Monica, CA

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

Job seekers looking for high-paying opportunities in Santa Monica can find attractive options among local companies. Among these, Amazon Web Services (AWS) leads with an average salary of $183,755, making it a top choice for many professionals. Following closely are Kite Pharma at $173,362 and Roku at $157,629, indicating a strong job market for those seeking higher pay in this area. Other notable employers in Santa Monica include The Walt Disney Company, Activision, and Amazon, each offering competitive salaries. The Walt Disney Company pays an average of $129,627, while Activision and Amazon offer $122,753 and $154,551, respectively. These figures show a range of industries providing excellent earning potential for those in the Santa Monica job market.
Graph displaying company salaries in Santa Monica, CA, highlighting Amazon Web Services (AWS) with the highest at $183,755 and FIGS with the lowest at $106,332.
  1. Amazon Web Services (AWS)
    Average Salary: $183,755
    AWS, a subsidiary of Amazon, provides cloud computing services. Job seekers can find roles in tech and engineering that offer high salaries.


  2. Kite Pharma
    Average Salary: $173,362
    Kite Pharma focuses on cancer immunotherapy. Employees often work in research and development, with salaries reflecting the high-demand nature of the field.


  3. Roku
    Average Salary: $157,629
    Roku is a streaming platform that offers various tech positions. It is known for its competitive pay and innovative work environment.


  4. Amazon
    Average Salary: $154,551
    Amazon offers a variety of roles across tech, logistics, and retail. It is one of the largest employers in the tech industry, with salaries that match its stature.


  5. The Walt Disney Company
    Average Salary: $129,627
    Disney provides roles in entertainment, media, and hospitality. It offers high salaries and a dynamic work culture.


  6. Activision
    Average Salary: $122,753
    Activision is a video game publisher and developer. It offers lucrative positions for those in the gaming industry.


  7. Legacy Personnel, Inc.
    Average Salary: $119,538
    Legacy Personnel provides staffing services across various industries. It offers competitive pay for its employees.


  8. LAcarGUY
    Average Salary: $119,064
    LAcarGUY is a car dealership that offers positions in sales and service. It provides a stable salary for those in the automotive field.


  9. Red Bull
    Average Salary: $109,498
    Red Bull is an energy drink company with roles in marketing and sales. It offers attractive salaries for its employees.


  10. FIGS
    Average Salary: $106,332
    FIGS offers scrubs and workwear for healthcare professionals. It provides jobs in fashion and retail, with salaries reflecting the quality of its products.

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

Santa Monica, CA, has a higher cost of living compared to the nationwide average. Specifically, the cost of living index stands at 158, which is 58% above the national average of 100. Housing in Santa Monica is notably more expensive, with an index of 258—158% of the national average. Groceries also show a significant increase at 120, representing a 20% rise.
Cost of living comparison graph for Santa Monica, CA vs. Nationwide: housing 158% higher, groceries 20% higher, utilities 18% higher, transportation 32% higher, healthcare 5% higher, miscellaneous 50% higher.

The cost of living in Santa Monica, CA, significantly surpasses the nationwide average, which is set at 100. Housing, in particular, shows a dramatic increase with an index of 258. This means housing costs in Santa Monica are more than double the national average. People looking for jobs in Santa Monica should be aware that their housing expenses will likely be higher than in many other parts of the country.


Other categories also reflect elevated costs. For example, groceries have an index of 120, indicating a 20% increase over the national average. Utilities are also 18% higher, with an index of 118. Transportation costs are 32% above the average, at 132. Healthcare, though still a major expense, is relatively more affordable with an index of 105, only 5% above the national average. Miscellaneous costs, including items like clothing and entertainment, have an index of 150, showing a 50% increase over the national average. These figures highlight the overall higher cost of living in Santa Monica.

There are 991 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
991 Job Openings