๐Ÿ’ฐ COL Index: 108 โ€” Near Avg Cost

Salaries in Menifee, CA

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

Updated: February 2026 ยท 39 occupations ยท BLS + Census data

Avg. Salary
$54,839
across 39 roles
COL-Adjusted Avg
$50,825
real purchasing power
Top Paying Role
Software Developer
$130,276
1BR Rent
$2,104
median monthly

Hereโ€™s something that might surprise you about working in Menifee: the median household income sits at $82,402, but the average salary across all roles is only $54,839. That gap tells you this isnโ€™t a city of high-powered corporate headquarters; itโ€™s a place where many households are pulling in money from multiple sources or side hustles.

Letโ€™s talk about what your paycheck actually buys. Menifeeโ€™s cost of living is 7.9% above the national average, which sounds steep. But when you factor in that $2,104 monthly rent for a one-bedroom, you realize the math is tricky. A software developer earning $130,276 sees their purchasing power adjust to about $120,738 hereโ€”still solid, but not the Silicon Valley windfall you might imagine. For most, it feels like youโ€™re paying a bit more for the sun and space, but not getting a discount.

Who actually thrives here? Youโ€™ll find the economy leans on logistics, construction, and healthcare, with major employers like the Menifee Valley Medical Center and the Menifee Union School District anchoring things. The trade jobs are especially strong; an electrician pulling $63,008 is doing well, and real estate agents do surprisingly okay given the market. But notice only 23.8% of folks have a bachelorโ€™s degreeโ€”this is a city where skilled trades often beat out white-collar salaries.

Hereโ€™s my honest take: wages arenโ€™t exactly racing ahead of costs. That 5.2% unemployment rate is a bit higher than the national average, suggesting the job market can be competitive. If youโ€™re in tech or a specialized trade, youโ€™ll do fine. If youโ€™re in a lower-paid service role, this city can feel financially tight.

The data below will break down the top-paying jobs and show you exactly where the money isโ€”and isnโ€™tโ€”in Menifee.

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

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

๐Ÿฅ‡ +2% vs national

Software Developer

$130,276
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $120,738
โฑ Hourly $62.63/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +17.0%
๐Ÿฅˆ +2% vs national

Accountant

$88,120
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $81,668
โฑ Hourly $42.37/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +3.0%
๐Ÿฅ‰ +2% vs national

Elementary School Teacher

$65,178
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $60,406
โฑ Hourly $31.34/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +3.0%
4๏ธโƒฃ +2% vs national

Electrician

$63,008
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $58,395
โฑ Hourly $30.29/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +3.0%
5๏ธโƒฃ +2% vs national

Real Estate Agent

$62,937
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $58,329
โฑ Hourly $30.26/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +3.0%

๐Ÿ“‹ Complete Salary Guide โ€” All 39 Occupations in Menifee

COL-Adjusted Salary = Raw salary divided by the cost of living index (108/100). Higher = more real purchasing power. This city's COL is above the US average.

# Occupation โ†• Raw Salary โ†•
1 Software Developer $130,276
2 Accountant $88,120
3 Elementary School Teacher $65,178
4 Electrician $63,008
5 Real Estate Agent $62,937
6 Heavy Truck Driver $54,348
7 Data Analyst $51,184
8 Plumber $51,184
9 Carpenter $51,184
10 Physical Therapist $51,184
11 Human Resources Specialist $51,184
12 Paralegal $51,184
13 Financial Analyst $51,184
14 Pharmacist $51,184
15 HVAC Technician $51,184
16 Insurance Agent $51,184
17 Nail Technician $51,184
18 Cosmetologist $51,184
19 Personal Trainer $51,184
20 Auto Mechanic $51,184
21 Chef/Head Cook $51,184
22 Construction Manager $51,184
23 Firefighter $51,184
24 Veterinary Technician $51,184
25 Social Worker $51,184
26 Dental Assistant $51,184
27 Pharmacy Technician $51,184
28 Dental Hygienist $51,184
29 Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) $51,184
30 Web Developer $51,184
31 Marketing Manager $51,184
32 Medical Assistant $51,184
33 Nursing Assistant (CNA) $51,184
34 Loan Officer $51,184
35 Welder $51,184
36 Police Officer $51,184
37 Graphic Designer $51,184
38 Project Manager $51,184
39 Security Guard $36,996

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

๐Ÿ™๏ธ Living Costs in Menifee

๐Ÿ 
1BR Rent
$2,104/mo
๐Ÿก
2BR Rent
$2,630/mo
๐Ÿ˜๏ธ
Median Home
$561,496
๐Ÿ“‰
Unemployment
5.2%
๐Ÿ’ณ
Median Income
$82,402
๐ŸŽ“
College Educated
24%
๐Ÿšถ
Walk Score
45/100
๐Ÿ“Š
Cost of Living
108
Near Avg Cost

๐Ÿงฎ Can You Afford to Live in Menifee?

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

โ“ Menifee Salary FAQ

What is the average salary in Menifee, CA?

โ–ผ
The average salary across 40 occupations in Menifee is $54,839 (2026). This is lower than the city's median household income of $82,402, indicating a mix of household earners.

What jobs pay the most in Menifee?

โ–ผ
The highest paying role is Software Developer at $130,276. This salary is more than double the city's average of $54,839, highlighting a strong premium for tech skills.

Is Menifee affordable on a Software Developer salary?

โ–ผ
Yes, a Software Developer salary of $130,276 is well above the city's median household income of $82,402. With a 1BR rent of $2,104/month, housing costs are manageable at ~19% of gross income.

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

โ–ผ
Menifee's COL index is 107.9, meaning costs are 7.9% above the U.S. average. This reduces the purchasing power of a $54,839 average salary, making it feel closer to $50,800 in real terms.

What salary do you need to live comfortably in Menifee?

โ–ผ
To live comfortably, aim for a salary around $75,000โ€“$80,000, which covers the $2,104/month rent (~28% of income) and other expenses. This aligns with the median household income of $82,402 as a benchmark for financial stability.

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

As your editor, hereโ€™s my honest verdict: Menifee isnโ€™t a wealth-building boomtown, but itโ€™s a solid middle-ground play. The cost of living (index 107.9) eats into that $54,839 average salary, and with rent at $2,104/month, youโ€™ll feel the squeeze unless youโ€™re pulling in above-average pay.

Unsurprisingly, tech workers win here. Software developers earn a top raw salary of $130,276, and even after COL adjustments, theyโ€™re still clearing $120,738. Healthcare and skilled trades can do fine, but tech is the clear outlier.

Is Menifee worth it financially? For software developers, absolutely. For everyone else, itโ€™s a careful budgeting exercise. If youโ€™re thinking of moving here for work, my advice: lock in the job before you lock in a lease. Donโ€™t assume youโ€™ll find a high-paying role locally; the commute might be your best bet for a bigger paycheck.

Explore Menifee Further