💰 COL Index: 116 — Higher Cost

Salaries in Tustin, 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
$56,912
unweighted modeled medians; not a worker average
Purchasing-Power Model
$49,274
model average ÷ 115.5 × 100
Highest Modeled Role
Software Developer
$133,177
City 1BR Rent Reference
$2,252
monthly context; not a current quote

What does the salary model mean for Tustin?

$56,912 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$56,912/year
Gross monthly equivalent$4,743/month
Household income context$107,537

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.

🥇 +5% vs national

Software Developer

$133,177
💡 Purchasing-power model $115,305
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $64.03/hr
National projected growth +17.0%
🥈 +5% vs national

Accountant

$90,082
💡 Purchasing-power model $77,993
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $43.31/hr
National projected growth +3.0%
🥉 +5% vs national

Registered Nurse

$90,072
💡 Purchasing-power model $77,984
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $43.30/hr
National projected growth +6.0%
4️⃣ +5% vs national

Elementary School Teacher

$66,630
💡 Purchasing-power model $57,688
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $32.03/hr
National projected growth +3.0%
5️⃣ +5% vs national

Electrician

$64,412
💡 Purchasing-power model $55,768
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $30.97/hr
National projected growth +3.0%

📋 Complete Salary Guide — All 40 Occupations in Tustin

Purchasing-power equivalent = modeled annual median divided by the planning cost index (115.5/100). It does not estimate taxes or take-home pay. This city cost reference is above 100.

Showing all 40 occupations.

#
1 Software Developer $133,177
2 Accountant $90,082
3 Registered Nurse $90,072
4 Elementary School Teacher $66,630
5 Electrician $64,412
6 Real Estate Agent $64,338
7 Heavy Truck Driver $55,558
8 Welder $52,325
9 Web Developer $52,325
10 Nail Technician $52,325
11 Cosmetologist $52,325
12 Personal Trainer $52,325
13 Chef/Head Cook $52,325
14 Auto Mechanic $52,325
15 Social Worker $52,325
16 Pharmacy Technician $52,325
17 Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) $52,325
18 Dental Assistant $52,325
19 Firefighter $52,325
20 Police Officer $52,325
21 Graphic Designer $52,325
22 Data Analyst $52,325
23 Plumber $52,325
24 Loan Officer $52,325
25 Insurance Agent $52,325
26 Carpenter $52,325
27 Physical Therapist $52,325
28 Human Resources Specialist $52,325
29 Financial Analyst $52,325
30 Pharmacist $52,325
31 HVAC Technician $52,325
32 Nursing Assistant (CNA) $52,325
33 Project Manager $52,325
34 Construction Manager $52,325
35 Dental Hygienist $52,325
36 Marketing Manager $52,325
37 Medical Assistant $52,325
38 Paralegal $52,325
39 Veterinary Technician $52,325
40 Security Guard $37,820

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

Tustin 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 0.332×–1.569× 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 ÷ 115.5 × 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.

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

🏙️ Living Costs in Tustin

🏠
1BR Rent
$2,252/mo
🏡
2BR Rent
$2,815/mo
🏘️
Median Home
$1,160,000
📉
Unemployment
5.2%
💳
Median Income
$107,537
🎓
College Educated
43%
🚶
Walk Score
35/100
📊
Cost of Living
116
Higher Cost

🧮 Test Your Tustin 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.

Tustin Salary FAQ

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

$56,912 is the unweighted arithmetic average of the modeled medians for 40 selected occupations. It is not an official mean or median for all Tustin workers.

What is the monthly salary estimate in Tustin?

The selected-occupation model average equals about $4,743 per month before taxes and deductions. This gross arithmetic conversion is not take-home pay or household income.

What is a good salary in Tustin?

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 Tustin?

No. Each stored city planning estimate is compared with its stored national occupation reference. The estimate-to-reference relationship is 0.332×–1.569× across occupations; it is not represented as one universal city multiplier or a direct local BLS observation.

📝 Planning Takeaways for Tustin

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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