๐Ÿ’ฐ COL Index: 110 โ€” Near Avg Cost

Salaries in Port St. Lucie, FL

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

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

Avg. Salary
$70,120
across 40 roles
COL-Adjusted Avg
$63,978
real purchasing power
Top Paying Role
Marketing Manager
$159,275
1BR Rent
$1,286
median monthly

Everyone thinks Port St. Lucie is just retirees and golf courses. Theyโ€™re not wrong, but theyโ€™re missing the quiet boom happening on the job front. The cityโ€™s unemployment is a tight 3.2%, and the real story isnโ€™t just whoโ€™s moving in, but whoโ€™s earning a solid living here.

Letโ€™s talk purchasing power. With a cost of living index of 109.6, youโ€™re paying nearly 10% more than the national average for basics. That $1,286 one-bedroom rent feels steep against a median household income of $74,928. Itโ€™s not a bargain, but itโ€™s not crushing either. The average salary across all roles is $70,120, which adjusts down to $63,978 when you account for that higher COL. Youโ€™re working harder for your dollar than you would in, say, the Midwest, but youโ€™re not in a financial hole.

Whoโ€™s actually thriving here? The top earners are the usual suspects for a growing suburban hub. Marketing managers and software developers pull in six figures, but youโ€™ll notice the construction manager is right up there at $109,346. Thatโ€™s not a coincidence. Port St. Lucie is physically expanding, and the trades are cashing in. Youโ€™ve got big players like CCO Health, the Cleveland Clinic, and PSL Medical Center driving the healthcare sector, which helps pharmacists earn a very comfortable $137,458.

Hereโ€™s my honest take: wages are solid for a mid-sized Florida city, but theyโ€™re not keeping pace with the rising cost of living, especially housing. This place works best if youโ€™re already in a high-demand field like tech or healthcare, or if youโ€™ve got a hybrid remote job with a coastal salary. If youโ€™re in a lower-wage industry, itโ€™s a tougher squeeze.

The numbers below will break down exactly what you can expect to earn in Port St. Lucieโ€™s hottest jobs, both in raw dollars and what your paycheck will actually feel like.

๐Ÿ† Top 5 Highest-Paying Jobs in Port St. Lucie

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

๐Ÿฅ‡ +1% vs national

Marketing Manager

$159,275
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $145,324
โฑ Hourly $76.57/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +8.0%
๐Ÿ‘ฅ Jobs Here 490
๐Ÿฅˆ +1% vs national

Pharmacist

$137,458
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $125,418
โฑ Hourly $66.09/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth -3.0%
๐Ÿ‘ฅ Jobs Here 490
๐Ÿฅ‰ +1% vs national

Software Developer

$128,596
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $117,332
โฑ Hourly $61.83/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +17.0%
๐Ÿ‘ฅ Jobs Here 1K
4๏ธโƒฃ +1% vs national

Construction Manager

$109,346
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $99,768
โฑ Hourly $52.57/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +8.0%
๐Ÿ‘ฅ Jobs Here 490
5๏ธโƒฃ +1% vs national

Project Manager

$102,343
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $93,379
โฑ Hourly $49.20/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +6.0%
๐Ÿ‘ฅ Jobs Here 490

๐Ÿ“‹ Complete Salary Guide โ€” All 40 Occupations in Port St. Lucie

COL-Adjusted Salary = Raw salary divided by the cost of living index (110/100). Higher = more real purchasing power. This city's COL is above the US average.

# Occupation โ†• Raw Salary โ†•
1 Marketing Manager $159,275
2 Pharmacist $137,458
3 Software Developer $128,596
4 Construction Manager $109,346
5 Project Manager $102,343
6 Physical Therapist $100,756
7 Financial Analyst $100,049
8 Web Developer $93,723
9 Dental Hygienist $88,449
10 Accountant $86,983
11 Registered Nurse $86,973
12 Data Analyst $84,235
13 Police Officer $75,696
14 Human Resources Specialist $68,360
15 Elementary School Teacher $64,338
16 Plumber $64,015
17 Paralegal $63,408
18 Electrician $62,196
19 Real Estate Agent $62,125
20 Graphic Designer $61,984
21 Firefighter $57,719
22 Carpenter $57,517
23 HVAC Technician $56,254
24 Heavy Truck Driver $53,647
25 Insurance Agent $51,440
26 Nail Technician $51,440
27 Cosmetologist $51,440
28 Personal Trainer $51,440
29 Chef/Head Cook $51,440
30 Auto Mechanic $51,440
31 Social Worker $51,440
32 Pharmacy Technician $51,440
33 Veterinary Technician $51,440
34 Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) $51,440
35 Dental Assistant $51,440
36 Loan Officer $51,440
37 Welder $50,110
38 Medical Assistant $38,671
39 Security Guard $37,180
40 Nursing Assistant (CNA) $36,135

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

๐Ÿ™๏ธ Living Costs in Port St. Lucie

๐Ÿ 
1BR Rent
$1,286/mo
๐Ÿก
2BR Rent
$1,573/mo
๐Ÿ˜๏ธ
Median Home
$405,000
๐Ÿ“‰
Unemployment
3.2%
๐Ÿ’ณ
Median Income
$74,928
๐ŸŽ“
College Educated
26%
๐Ÿšถ
Walk Score
55/100
๐Ÿ“Š
Cost of Living
110
Near Avg Cost

๐Ÿงฎ Can You Afford to Live in Port St. Lucie?

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

โ“ Port St. Lucie Salary FAQ

What is the average salary in Port St. Lucie, FL?

โ–ผ
The average salary across 40 occupations in Port St. Lucie is $70,120. This is slightly below the median household income of $74,928, suggesting a mix of high and low earners in the area.

What jobs pay the most in Port St. Lucie?

โ–ผ
The highest paying role is Marketing Manager at $159,275. This is more than double the area's average salary of $70,120, indicating a significant premium for specialized management roles.

Is Port St. Lucie affordable on a Marketing Manager salary?

โ–ผ
Yes, a Marketing Manager salary of $159,275 is more than sufficient for Port St. Lucie's cost of living. With a 1BR rent of $1,286/month, housing costs are only about 9.7% of this salary before taxes.

How does Port St. Lucie's cost of living affect my paycheck?

โ–ผ
Port St. Lucie's COL Index is 109.6, meaning it's 9.6% more expensive than the national average. This reduces the purchasing power of your paycheck, especially for housing, which costs 9.6% more than the U.S. average.

What salary do you need to live comfortably in Port St. Lucie?

โ–ผ
To live comfortably, a salary around $75,000 aligns with the median household income and covers the area's cost of living. With a COL index of 109.6, this salary provides a buffer above the $70,120 average for 40 occupations.

๐Ÿ“ Editor's Verdict: Is Port St. Lucie Worth It?

Editor's take: Port St. Lucie isn't a gold rush, but it's a steady bet. With an average salary of $70,120 and a cost of living index of 109.6, you're paying a slight premium for sunshine and space. The standout, unsurprisingly, is Marketing Managerโ€”topping out at $159,275 and still strong at $145,324 after adjusting for costs.

So, is it worth it? For marketers, yes. For healthcare pros and skilled trades, absolutelyโ€”demand is real, and your paycheck goes further than in Miami or Tampa. Tech? It's growing, but salaries lag behind major hubs.

My advice: If you're considering the move, lock in a job before you sign a lease. That $1,286 monthly rent looks friendly, but it climbs fast if you're hunting without an offer in hand.

Explore Port St. Lucie Further