💰 COL Index: 94 — Below Avg Cost

Salaries in Carlsbad, NM

Modeled occupation planning estimates with gross-pay and cost-context formulas.

Model generated 2026-02-26 · Methodology reviewed July 16, 2026 · 27 selected occupations

Selected-Role Model Average
$55,894
unweighted modeled medians; not a worker average
Purchasing-Power Model
$59,780
model average ÷ 93.5 × 100
Highest Modeled Role
Software Developer
$124,778
City 1BR Rent Reference
$935
monthly context; not a current quote

What does the salary model mean for Carlsbad?

$55,894 is the unweighted arithmetic average of the modeled medians for these 27 selected occupations. It is not an official mean or median for all local workers.

Model average$55,894/year
Gross monthly equivalent$4,658/month
Household income context$78,277

Keep the measures separate: gross monthly salary is before taxes and deductions; household income can include multiple earners; the selected-role model average is not weighted by local employment.

🏆 Highest Modeled Values in This 27-Role Set

Ranked by modeled annual occupation median. These are planning estimates, not direct local OEWS rows.

🥇 -2% vs national

Software Developer

$124,778
💡 Purchasing-power model $133,452
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $59.99/hr
National projected growth +17.0%
🥈 -2% vs national

Accountant

$84,401
💡 Purchasing-power model $90,268
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $40.58/hr
National projected growth +3.0%
🥉 -2% vs national

Registered Nurse

$84,391
💡 Purchasing-power model $90,258
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $40.57/hr
National projected growth +6.0%
4️⃣ -2% vs national

Elementary School Teacher

$62,428
💡 Purchasing-power model $66,768
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $30.01/hr
National projected growth +3.0%
5️⃣ -2% vs national

Electrician

$60,349
💡 Purchasing-power model $64,544
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $29.01/hr
National projected growth +3.0%

📋 Complete Salary Guide — All 27 Occupations in Carlsbad

Purchasing-power equivalent = modeled annual median divided by the planning cost index (93.5/100). It does not estimate taxes or take-home pay. This city cost reference is below 100.

Showing all 27 occupations.

#
1 Software Developer $124,778
2 Accountant $84,401
3 Registered Nurse $84,391
4 Elementary School Teacher $62,428
5 Electrician $60,349
6 Real Estate Agent $60,281
7 Heavy Truck Driver $52,054
8 Medical Assistant $49,024
9 Nursing Assistant (CNA) $49,024
10 Paralegal $49,024
11 Welder $49,024
12 Construction Manager $49,024
13 Police Officer $49,024
14 Project Manager $49,024
15 Graphic Designer $49,024
16 Data Analyst $49,024
17 Plumber $49,024
18 Dental Hygienist $49,024
19 Carpenter $49,024
20 Physical Therapist $49,024
21 Financial Analyst $49,024
22 Human Resources Specialist $49,024
23 Pharmacist $49,024
24 HVAC Technician $49,024
25 Firefighter $49,024
26 Web Developer $49,024
27 Marketing Manager $49,024

OCity planning estimates. National occupation references are inputs; displayed city values are modeled rather than direct local BLS occupation rows.

Carlsbad salary model: formulas, sources and limitations

Stored occupation model comparison

modeled estimate ÷ stored national reference = row comparison

On this owner, estimate-to-reference ratios are 0.311×–1.371× across occupations. Ratios can vary by occupation, so this is not described as one citywide multiplier or a direct local OEWS download.

Purchasing-power equivalent

modeled estimate ÷ 93.5 × 100

This comparison does not estimate taxes or take-home pay and is not an official BLS adjustment.

Limitations. “Average” is unweighted across selected occupations. Growth fields are national occupation projections, not local forecasts. City and metro geographies can differ. Repeated stored employment counts are not presented as local jobs.

Model generated 2026-02-26; methodology reviewed July 16, 2026.

🏙️ Living Costs in Carlsbad

🏠
1BR Rent
$935/mo
🏡
2BR Rent
$1,168/mo
🏘️
Median Home
$325,000
📉
Unemployment
4.0%
💳
Median Income
$78,277
🎓
College Educated
20%
🚶
Walk Score
30/100
📊
Cost of Living
94
Below Avg Cost

🧮 Test Your Carlsbad Budget

Use scenario tools to compare gross pay and city cost context. Results depend on the inputs and do not guarantee take-home pay, housing approval or affordability.

Carlsbad Salary FAQ

What does the average salary in Carlsbad mean on this page?

$55,894 is the unweighted arithmetic average of the modeled medians for 27 selected occupations. It is not an official mean or median for all Carlsbad workers.

What is the monthly salary estimate in Carlsbad?

The selected-occupation model average equals about $4,658 per month before taxes and deductions. This gross arithmetic conversion is not take-home pay or household income.

What is a good salary in Carlsbad?

There is no universal threshold. Household size, current housing quotes, taxes, debt, benefits, transportation and other recurring costs determine fit. The figures here are planning references, not affordability guarantees.

Are these direct local BLS salary observations for Carlsbad?

No. Each stored city planning estimate is compared with its stored national occupation reference. The estimate-to-reference relationship is 0.311×–1.371× across occupations; it is not represented as one universal city multiplier or a direct local BLS observation.

📝 Planning Takeaways for Carlsbad

Use the occupation rows to compare modeled gross-pay references, not to predict an offer. Validate the exact role, experience level, employer, benefits and location. Then model taxes and current household costs before making a relocation or career decision.

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