๐Ÿ’ฐ COL Index: 109 โ€” Near Avg Cost

Salaries in Folsom, CA

What every job actually pays โ€” cost-of-living adjusted

Updated: February 2026 ยท 40 occupations ยท BLS + Census data

Avg. Salary
$55,835
across 40 roles
COL-Adjusted Avg
$51,272
real purchasing power
Top Paying Role
Software Developer
$130,657
1BR Rent
$2,123
median monthly

Folsom has a funny relationship with money. Itโ€™s got a higher median household income than most placesโ€”$124,531โ€”but its cost of living sits at 108.9. That means youโ€™re earning more, but your paycheck doesnโ€™t stretch as far as youโ€™d think. Itโ€™s not a bargain; itโ€™s a premium zip code with a premium price tag.

Letโ€™s talk purchasing power. That median income sounds great, but after you adjust for the cost of living, it feels more like a solid middle-class life, not a wealthy one. A software developer here might pull in $130,657, but COL-adjusted, thatโ€™s closer to $119,979. Meanwhile, a one-bedroom apartment runs you $2,123 a month. Itโ€™s not San Francisco, but itโ€™s not cheap, either. Youโ€™re paying for the schools, the safety, and the quietโ€”whether you want to or not.

Who actually thrives here? Folsomโ€™s economy is powered by a mix of tech, healthcare, and public sector jobs. Youโ€™ve got Intel and T-Mobile with major footprints, and Sutter Health is a huge employer. The cityโ€™s education level is highโ€”58.5% have a bachelorโ€™s degree or moreโ€”which feeds into those professional roles. Teachers and nurses do okay here, but the real money is in software and specialized trades. Construction and electrical work are steady, too, with all the ongoing development in the area.

Hereโ€™s the honest take: wages arenโ€™t keeping up with the cost increases as fast as youโ€™d hope. The average salary across all roles is $55,835, but adjusted, itโ€™s just $51,272. Thatโ€™s a tight squeeze for anyone not in a top-tier field. Folsom works well if youโ€™re in tech, healthcare, or a skilled trade, and youโ€™re okay with trading a bit of financial flexibility for a family-friendly environment. If youโ€™re in a lower-paying industry, youโ€™ll feel the pinch.

The data below breaks down exactly what you can expect to earnโ€”and spendโ€”in Folsom. Itโ€™s a reality check for anyone considering a move or a job change here.

๐Ÿ† Top 5 Highest-Paying Jobs in Folsom

Ranked by raw salary. See COL-adjusted figures in the full table below.

๐Ÿฅ‡ +3% vs national

Software Developer

$130,657
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $119,979
โฑ Hourly $62.82/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +17.0%
๐Ÿฅˆ +3% vs national

Accountant

$88,378
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $81,155
โฑ Hourly $42.49/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +3.0%
๐Ÿฅ‰ +3% vs national

Registered Nurse

$88,368
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $81,146
โฑ Hourly $42.48/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +6.0%
4๏ธโƒฃ +3% vs national

Elementary School Teacher

$65,369
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $60,027
โฑ Hourly $31.43/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +3.0%
5๏ธโƒฃ +3% vs national

Electrician

$63,193
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $58,028
โฑ Hourly $30.38/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +3.0%

๐Ÿ“‹ Complete Salary Guide โ€” All 40 Occupations in Folsom

COL-Adjusted Salary = Raw salary divided by the cost of living index (109/100). Higher = more real purchasing power. This city's COL is above the US average.

# Occupation โ†• Raw Salary โ†•
1 Software Developer $130,657
2 Accountant $88,378
3 Registered Nurse $88,368
4 Elementary School Teacher $65,369
5 Electrician $63,193
6 Real Estate Agent $63,121
7 Heavy Truck Driver $54,507
8 Pharmacy Technician $51,335
9 Dental Assistant $51,335
10 Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) $51,335
11 Nail Technician $51,335
12 Personal Trainer $51,335
13 Cosmetologist $51,335
14 Auto Mechanic $51,335
15 Veterinary Technician $51,335
16 Social Worker $51,335
17 Project Manager $51,335
18 Police Officer $51,335
19 Graphic Designer $51,335
20 Data Analyst $51,335
21 Plumber $51,335
22 Loan Officer $51,335
23 Insurance Agent $51,335
24 Carpenter $51,335
25 Physical Therapist $51,335
26 Human Resources Specialist $51,335
27 Financial Analyst $51,335
28 Pharmacist $51,335
29 HVAC Technician $51,335
30 Nursing Assistant (CNA) $51,335
31 Construction Manager $51,335
32 Dental Hygienist $51,335
33 Web Developer $51,335
34 Marketing Manager $51,335
35 Medical Assistant $51,335
36 Paralegal $51,335
37 Welder $51,335
38 Chef/Head Cook $51,335
39 Firefighter $51,335
40 Security Guard $37,104

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics. COL Index from C2ER/ACCRA.

๐Ÿ™๏ธ Living Costs in Folsom

๐Ÿ 
1BR Rent
$2,123/mo
๐Ÿก
2BR Rent
$2,653/mo
๐Ÿ˜๏ธ
Median Home
$735,000
๐Ÿ“‰
Unemployment
5.2%
๐Ÿ’ณ
Median Income
$124,531
๐ŸŽ“
College Educated
59%
๐Ÿšถ
Walk Score
35/100
๐Ÿ“Š
Cost of Living
109
Near Avg Cost

๐Ÿงฎ Can You Afford to Live in Folsom?

Use our Salary Reality Check to see if your specific income covers housing, taxes, and expenses in Folsom. Enter your salary and see exactly how far your money goes.

โ“ Folsom Salary FAQ

What is the average salary in Folsom, CA?

โ–ผ
The average salary across 40 occupations in Folsom is $55,835. This figure provides a baseline for typical earnings in the city. The median household income is significantly higher at $124,531, indicating that average salaries may not reflect household earning power.

What jobs pay the most in Folsom?

โ–ผ
The highest paying role in Folsom is Software Developer at $130,657. This salary is more than double the city's average of $55,835. Tech roles consistently top the pay scale due to regional industry demand.

Is Folsom affordable on a Software Developer salary?

โ–ผ
Yes, a Software Developer salary of $130,657 is comfortably above the city's cost of living. With a 1BR rent of $2,123/month, housing costs are manageable. The Cost of Living Index of 108.9 is only 8.9% above the national average, making affordability feasible.

How does Folsom's cost of living affect my paycheck?

โ–ผ
Folsom's Cost of Living Index is 108.9, meaning expenses are 8.9% higher than the national average. This directly reduces purchasing power compared to lower-cost areas. For example, a $55,835 salary here has less buying power than the same salary in a city with an index of 100.

What salary do you need to live comfortably in Folsom?

โ–ผ
A comfortable salary in Folsom should cover housing, utilities, and savings while accounting for the 108.9 COL index. Based on the 30% rule for housing, a salary of approximately $85,000 would comfortably afford the $2,123/month rent. This is 52% higher than the city's average salary, highlighting the gap between average earnings and comfortable living costs.

๐Ÿ“ Editor's Verdict: Is Folsom Worth It?

As your editor, hereโ€™s my honest take: Folsom isnโ€™t the financial slam dunk you might hope for. With a cost-of-living index at 108.9 and average rent eating $2,123 of your monthly paycheck, that $55,835 average salary feels tight. If youโ€™re in techโ€”especially software developmentโ€”this place makes sense. Your salary stays strong even after adjusting for costs ($119,979), and youโ€™ll find the best opportunities here. For healthcare and trades, the math gets murkier; you can live, but building wealth is tougher. My advice? Donโ€™t move here for a generic job. Come for a specific, high-value roleโ€”ideally in techโ€”where the numbers clearly work in your favor. Otherwise, your paycheck will vanish into rent and a higher grocery bill.

Explore Folsom Further