ocity
💰 COL Index: 112 — Near Avg Cost

Salaries in San Marcos, 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
$56,259
unweighted modeled medians; not a worker average
Purchasing-Power Model
$50,457
model average ÷ 111.5 × 100
Highest Modeled Role
Software Developer
$131,650
City 1BR Rent Reference
$2,174
monthly context; not a current quote

What does the salary model mean for San Marcos?

$56,259 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$56,259/year
Gross monthly equivalent$4,688/month
Household income context$96,214

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.

🥇 +3% vs national

Software Developer

$131,650
💡 Purchasing-power model $118,072
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $63.29/hr
National projected growth +17.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
🥈 +3% vs national

Accountant

$89,049
💡 Purchasing-power model $79,865
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $42.81/hr
National projected growth +3.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
🥉 +3% vs national

Registered Nurse

$89,039
💡 Purchasing-power model $79,856
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $42.81/hr
National projected growth +6.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
4️⃣ +3% vs national

Elementary School Teacher

$65,866
💡 Purchasing-power model $59,073
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $31.67/hr
National projected growth +3.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
5️⃣ +3% vs national

Electrician

$63,673
💡 Purchasing-power model $57,106
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $30.61/hr
National projected growth +3.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →

📋 Complete Salary Guide — All 40 Occupations in San Marcos

Purchasing-power equivalent = modeled annual median divided by the planning cost index (111.5/100). It does not estimate taxes or take-home pay. This city cost reference is above 100.

Showing all 40 occupations.

#
1 Software Developer $131,650
2 Accountant $89,049
3 Registered Nurse $89,039
4 Elementary School Teacher $65,866
5 Electrician $63,673
6 Real Estate Agent $63,601
7 Heavy Truck Driver $54,921
8 Veterinary Technician $51,725
9 Police Officer $51,725
10 Project Manager $51,725
11 Graphic Designer $51,725
12 Loan Officer $51,725
13 Insurance Agent $51,725
14 Data Analyst $51,725
15 Plumber $51,725
16 Paralegal $51,725
17 Pharmacy Technician $51,725
18 Human Resources Specialist $51,725
19 Physical Therapist $51,725
20 Financial Analyst $51,725
21 Pharmacist $51,725
22 HVAC Technician $51,725
23 Firefighter $51,725
24 Nursing Assistant (CNA) $51,725
25 Construction Manager $51,725
26 Web Developer $51,725
27 Dental Hygienist $51,725
28 Marketing Manager $51,725
29 Medical Assistant $51,725
30 Nail Technician $51,725
31 Cosmetologist $51,725
32 Chef/Head Cook $51,725
33 Carpenter $51,725
34 Dental Assistant $51,725
35 Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) $51,725
36 Welder $51,725
37 Personal Trainer $51,725
38 Auto Mechanic $51,725
39 Social Worker $51,725
40 Security Guard $37,386

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

San Marcos 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 0.328×–1.551× 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 ÷ 111.5 × 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.
BLS OEWS methodologyBLS national projectionsCensus/ACS income context

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

🏙️ Living Costs in San Marcos

🏠
1BR Rent
$2,174/mo
🏡
2BR Rent
$2,717/mo
🏘️
Median Home
$800,000
📉
Unemployment
5.2%
💳
Median Income
$96,214
🎓
College Educated
43%
🚶
Walk Score
35/100
📊
Cost of Living
112
Near Avg Cost
📊 Full Cost of Living Breakdown → 🏠 Real Estate Market →

🧮 Test Your San Marcos 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.

💰 Decode a Job Offer 🔄 Salary Equivalence Calculator 🔍 Career Arbitrage Tool

❓ San Marcos Salary FAQ

What does the average salary in San Marcos mean on this page?

▼
$56,259 is the unweighted arithmetic average of the modeled medians for 40 selected occupations. It is not an official mean or median for all San Marcos workers.

What is the monthly salary estimate in San Marcos?

▼
The selected-occupation model average equals about $4,688 per month before taxes and deductions. This gross arithmetic conversion is not take-home pay or household income.

What is a good salary in San Marcos?

▼
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 San Marcos?

▼
No. Each stored city planning estimate is compared with its stored national occupation reference. The estimate-to-reference relationship is 0.328×–1.551× across occupations; it is not represented as one universal city multiplier or a direct local BLS observation.

📝 Planning Takeaways for San Marcos

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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🏙️ San Marcos City Overview 💰 Cost of Living 🏠 Real Estate 📊 Browse Salaries by City 💼 All Career Guides 🏘️ Neighborhood Guide 🔍 Career Arbitrage