💰 COL Index: 108 — Near Avg Cost

Salaries in Riverside, CA

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

Model generated 2026-02-26 · Methodology reviewed July 16, 2026 · 40 selected occupations

Selected-Role Model Average
$70,741
unweighted modeled medians; not a worker average
Purchasing-Power Model
$65,562
model average ÷ 107.9 × 100
Highest Modeled Role
Marketing Manager
$161,355
City 1BR Rent Reference
$1,611
monthly context; not a current quote

What does the salary model mean for Riverside?

$70,741 is the unweighted arithmetic average of the modeled medians for these 40 selected occupations. It is not an official mean or median for all local workers.

Model average$70,741/year
Gross monthly equivalent$5,895/month
Household income context$88,175

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 40-Role Set

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

🥇 +2% vs national

Marketing Manager

$161,355
💡 Purchasing-power model $149,541
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $77.57/hr
National projected growth +8.0%
🥈 +2% vs national

Pharmacist

$139,253
💡 Purchasing-power model $129,057
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $66.95/hr
National projected growth -3.0%
🥉 +2% vs national

Software Developer

$130,276
💡 Purchasing-power model $120,738
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $62.63/hr
National projected growth +17.0%
4️⃣ +2% vs national

Construction Manager

$110,774
💡 Purchasing-power model $102,664
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $53.26/hr
National projected growth +8.0%
5️⃣ +2% vs national

Project Manager

$103,680
💡 Purchasing-power model $96,089
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $49.85/hr
National projected growth +6.0%

📋 Complete Salary Guide — All 40 Occupations in Riverside

Purchasing-power equivalent = modeled annual median divided by the planning cost index (107.9/100). It does not estimate taxes or take-home pay. This city cost reference is above 100.

Showing all 40 occupations.

#
1 Marketing Manager $161,355
2 Pharmacist $139,253
3 Software Developer $130,276
4 Construction Manager $110,774
5 Project Manager $103,680
6 Physical Therapist $102,073
7 Financial Analyst $101,356
8 Web Developer $94,948
9 Dental Hygienist $89,604
10 Accountant $88,120
11 Registered Nurse $88,109
12 Data Analyst $85,335
13 Police Officer $76,685
14 Human Resources Specialist $69,253
15 Elementary School Teacher $65,178
16 Plumber $64,851
17 Paralegal $64,237
18 Electrician $63,008
19 Real Estate Agent $62,937
20 Graphic Designer $62,793
21 Firefighter $58,473
22 Carpenter $58,269
23 HVAC Technician $56,989
24 Heavy Truck Driver $54,348
25 Insurance Agent $51,184
26 Nail Technician $51,184
27 Cosmetologist $51,184
28 Personal Trainer $51,184
29 Auto Mechanic $51,184
30 Chef/Head Cook $51,184
31 Veterinary Technician $51,184
32 Pharmacy Technician $51,184
33 Social Worker $51,184
34 Dental Assistant $51,184
35 Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) $51,184
36 Loan Officer $51,184
37 Welder $50,765
38 Medical Assistant $39,176
39 Security Guard $36,996
40 Nursing Assistant (CNA) $36,607

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

Riverside 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 0.640×–1.535× 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 ÷ 107.9 × 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 Riverside

🏠
1BR Rent
$1,611/mo
🏡
2BR Rent
$2,010/mo
🏘️
Median Home
$640,000
📉
Unemployment
5.2%
💳
Median Income
$88,175
🎓
College Educated
29%
🚶
Walk Score
55/100
📊
Cost of Living
108
Near Avg Cost

🧮 Test Your Riverside 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.

Riverside Salary FAQ

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

$70,741 is the unweighted arithmetic average of the modeled medians for 40 selected occupations. It is not an official mean or median for all Riverside workers.

What is the monthly salary estimate in Riverside?

The selected-occupation model average equals about $5,895 per month before taxes and deductions. This gross arithmetic conversion is not take-home pay or household income.

What is a good salary in Riverside?

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 Riverside?

No. Each stored city planning estimate is compared with its stored national occupation reference. The estimate-to-reference relationship is 0.640×–1.535× across occupations; it is not represented as one universal city multiplier or a direct local BLS observation.

📝 Planning Takeaways for Riverside

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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