ocity
💰 COL Index: 114 — Near Avg Cost

Salaries in Santa Barbara, 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
$72,273
unweighted modeled medians; not a worker average
Purchasing-Power Model
$63,676
model average ÷ 113.5 × 100
Highest Modeled Role
Marketing Manager
$164,003
City 1BR Rent Reference
$2,651
monthly context; not a current quote

What does the salary model mean for Santa Barbara?

$72,273 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$72,273/year
Gross monthly equivalent$6,023/month
Household income context$100,041

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.

🥇 +4% vs national

Marketing Manager

$164,003
💡 Purchasing-power model $144,496
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $78.85/hr
National projected growth +8.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
🥈 +4% vs national

Pharmacist

$141,539
💡 Purchasing-power model $124,704
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $68.05/hr
National projected growth -3.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
🥉 +4% vs national

Software Developer

$132,414
💡 Purchasing-power model $116,664
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $63.66/hr
National projected growth +17.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
4️⃣ +4% vs national

Construction Manager

$112,592
💡 Purchasing-power model $99,200
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $54.13/hr
National projected growth +8.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
5️⃣ +4% vs national

Project Manager

$105,381
💡 Purchasing-power model $92,847
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $50.66/hr
National projected growth +6.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →

📋 Complete Salary Guide — All 40 Occupations in Santa Barbara

Purchasing-power equivalent = modeled annual median divided by the planning cost index (113.5/100). It does not estimate taxes or take-home pay. This city cost reference is above 100.

Showing all 40 occupations.

#
1 Marketing Manager $164,003
2 Pharmacist $141,539
3 Software Developer $132,414
4 Construction Manager $112,592
5 Project Manager $105,381
6 Physical Therapist $103,748
7 Financial Analyst $103,019
8 Web Developer $96,506
9 Dental Hygienist $91,074
10 Accountant $89,566
11 Registered Nurse $89,555
12 Data Analyst $86,736
13 Police Officer $77,943
14 Human Resources Specialist $70,389
15 Elementary School Teacher $66,248
16 Plumber $65,915
17 Paralegal $65,291
18 Electrician $64,042
19 Real Estate Agent $63,969
20 Graphic Designer $63,824
21 Firefighter $59,433
22 Carpenter $59,225
23 HVAC Technician $57,924
24 Heavy Truck Driver $55,240
25 Nursing Assistant (CNA) $52,025
26 Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) $52,025
27 Nail Technician $52,025
28 Cosmetologist $52,025
29 Personal Trainer $52,025
30 Auto Mechanic $52,025
31 Chef/Head Cook $52,025
32 Social Worker $52,025
33 Veterinary Technician $52,025
34 Pharmacy Technician $52,025
35 Loan Officer $52,025
36 Insurance Agent $52,025
37 Dental Assistant $52,025
38 Welder $51,598
39 Medical Assistant $39,819
40 Security Guard $37,603

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

Santa Barbara 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 0.651×–1.560× 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 ÷ 113.5 × 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 Santa Barbara

🏠
1BR Rent
$2,651/mo
🏡
2BR Rent
$2,994/mo
🏘️
Median Home
$1,917,992
📉
Unemployment
5.2%
💳
Median Income
$100,041
🎓
College Educated
50%
🚶
Walk Score
35/100
📊
Cost of Living
114
Near Avg Cost
📊 Full Cost of Living Breakdown → 🏠 Real Estate Market →

🧮 Test Your Santa Barbara 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

❓ Santa Barbara Salary FAQ

What does the average salary in Santa Barbara mean on this page?

▼
$72,273 is the unweighted arithmetic average of the modeled medians for 40 selected occupations. It is not an official mean or median for all Santa Barbara workers.

What is the monthly salary estimate in Santa Barbara?

▼
The selected-occupation model average equals about $6,023 per month before taxes and deductions. This gross arithmetic conversion is not take-home pay or household income.

What is a good salary in Santa Barbara?

▼
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 Santa Barbara?

▼
No. Each stored city planning estimate is compared with its stored national occupation reference. The estimate-to-reference relationship is 0.651×–1.560× across occupations; it is not represented as one universal city multiplier or a direct local BLS observation.

📝 Planning Takeaways for Santa Barbara

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.

Career Decisions

Make your salary work in Santa Barbara

salary

Is $60K a Good Salary in 2026? It Depends Where You Live

In some cities $60K makes you comfortable, in others you're barely scraping by — the data tells the full story

salary

Where Accountants Earn the Most After Cost of Living (2026)

Raw accountant salary is misleading — here's where the pay goes FURTHEST after rent and groceries

salary

10 Best Affordable Cities for Artists and Creatives (2026)

Where creative careers actually pay the rent — without the NYC or LA price tag

Career Guides →Cost of Living →Housing Market →Neighborhood Guide →

Explore Santa Barbara Further

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