City Town Info

Salinas Employment

Employment and Industries in the Salinas, California Area

Salinas has an agricultural based economy due to being located in one of California's most fertile farming regions. The floral industry and grape vineyards are significant elements of the economy. Salinas is home to the headquarters of many vegetable producers. Numerous crops contribute to the economy including strawberries, lettuce, broccoli, watermelons, spinach, cabbages and carrots. Salinas is known as the Salad Bowl of America. The Salinas Valley produces over 80% of the lettuce grown in the nation. The region is also home to numerous wineries.

The major sectors for employment in Salinas are government, agriculture, trade, manufacturing, healthcare, social assistance and construction. Salinas is home to over 100 manufacturing companies. Also, about 18% of the jobs in the city are in sales and office occupations.

Some of the jobs more prevalent in Salinas than most other cities include farm, ranch and other agricultural managers; farm workers and laborers, crops, nursery and greenhouse; graders and sorters of agricultural products; first-line supervisors/managers of farming, fishing and forestry workers; agricultural equipment operators, interpreters and translators, farm equipment mechanics and teachers.

Noteworthy data about Salinas: The workforce is about 54% blue collar. The cost of living index in 2008 was at 115.5. The national average is 100. Regarding the population over 25 years of age, about 12% have a bachelor's degree or higher. In early 2009 the average salary in Salinas was $31,000.

Shown below are some of the major employers in the Salinas area:

  • D'Arrigo Brothers Co - Fruits & vegetables growers & shippers
  • Fresh Express - Food products (WHLS)
  • Hilltown Packing Company - Harvesting - Contract
  • Dole Fresh Vegetables
  • HSBC Card Svc Inc - Credit Card & other credit plans
  • Mann Packing - Fruits & vegetables - growers & shippers
  • Monterey County Social Svc - Government
  • Monterey County Public Works - Grading contractors
  • Natividad Medical CTR - Hospitals
  • Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital - Hospitals
  • Social Services Dept - Senior citizens service organizations
  • Special Education School Division - Education
  • Taylor Farms California Inc - Fruits & vegetables - growers & shippers

Salinas companies may obtain assistance from business organizations such as:

The Salinas Californian offers up-to-date information regarding the business activities in Salinas.

Most Popular Jobs in Salinas, California Metro Area (2008 data)

Where the Majority of Workers Have College Degrees

RankTitleLocal JobsLocal Mean SalaryTypical Local SalaryNational Growth % 2006-2016National % With College Degree
1Elementary school teachers, except special education3,98054,870$36,000 - 77,02014%95%
2Teachers and instructors, all other2,34077,370$47,750 - 144,5109%54%
3Registered nurses2,30087,790$59,990 - 123,62024%56%
4Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products1,20074,870$34,620 - 121,9608%51%
5Accountants and auditors88064,830$39,670 - 98,59018%79%
6Education administrators, elementary and secondary school56089,950$60,580 - 124,9408%78%
7Financial managers50099,220$59,100 - 149,54013%60%
8Sales managers46092,070$34,290 - 10%69%
9Medical and health services managers450131,500$55,010 - 16%57%
10Management analysts43096,350$53,060 - 22%78%
11Social and human service assistants40036,540$23,750 - 51,90034%58%
12Computer specialists, all other40083,820$51,340 - 122,06015%68%
13Lawyers390119,730$65,450 - 11%99%
14Education, training, and library workers, all other38041,130$21,940 - 58,59011%79%
15Computer systems analysts32089,460$55,190 - 118,43029%68%
16Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents29091,910$35,020 - 160,06025%67%
17Graphic designers26046,900$23,630 - 84,72010%55%
18Marketing managers240145,480$82,200 - 14%69%
19Chief executives240176,620$81,900 - 2%65%
20Computer software engineers, applications230123,180$59,230 - 45%85%
21Pharmacists220117,970$105,830 - 136,13022%97%
22Public relations specialists22065,600$37,030 - 112,66018%81%
23Computer and information systems managers200143,060$86,230 - 16%73%
24Managers, all other200101,970$51,960 - 160,7107%55%
25Health educators19038,410$30,490 - 51,32026%58%
26Human resources, training, and labor relations specialists, all other17058,690$38,370 - 90,25017%56%
27Instructional coordinators17074,010$47,550 - 104,39023%79%
28Physical therapists17081,220$55,250 - 103,33027%89%
29Civil engineers17071,650$44,930 - 106,55018%87%
30Personal financial advisors16079,750$35,250 - 154,38041%81%
31Sales and related workers, all other16030,650$16,640 - 50,18014%62%
32Social and community service managers14064,470$43,010 - 117,18025%72%
33Network and computer systems administrators14071,580$41,000 - 104,17027%50%
34Advertising sales agents14047,930$19,520 - 83,21020%56%
35Compliance officers, except agriculture, construction, health and safety, and transportation13054,670$35,180 - 83,6505%58%
36Financial specialists, all other13070,520$36,580 - 124,26012%50%
37Self-enrichment education teachers12057,040$23,960 - 113,55023%54%
38Computer software engineers, systems software11080,340$46,060 - 125,13028%85%
39Mental health and substance abuse social workers11055,840$25,560 - 99,74030%77%
40Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products11074,940$53,020 - 115,37012%51%
41Architects, except landscape and naval10093,340$57,710 - 149,88018%88%
42Network systems and data communications analysts10062,640$24,600 - 100,25053%57%
43Speech-language pathologists10082,580$55,400 - 102,74011%98%
44Librarians9064,770$43,620 - 93,1404%85%
45Mental health counselors90 $ - 30%73%
46Computer programmers9084,340$53,210 - 125,4200%73%
47Market research analysts9052,000$32,570 - 74,96020%82%
48Medical and public health social workers9056,190$35,310 - 80,55024%77%
49Dentists, general90194,220$105,950 - 9%100%
50Urban and regional planners9080,920$50,910 - 121,57015%92%
51Occupational therapists8078,730$56,430 - 102,58023%90%
52Medical and clinical laboratory technologists8087,330$55,290 - 120,84012%51%
53Medical and clinical laboratory technicians8050,220$34,430 - 65,70015%51%
54Special education teachers, preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school8053,150$34,480 - 78,79020%87%
55Engineers, all other7096,520$59,980 - 133,5806%82%
56Environmental scientists and specialists, including health7072,290$47,450 - 99,88025%93%
57Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists7056,020$35,310 - 84,75018%56%
58Engineering managers70129,550$71,950 - 7%84%
59Tax preparers7042,390$28,580 - 64,0400%54%
60Legislators6037,780$22,340 - 61,4301%65%
61Meeting and convention planners6045,050$28,610 - 64,86020%67%
62Employment, recruitment, and placement specialists6053,350$35,610 - 77,78018%56%
63Judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates60 $ - 5%99%
64Budget analysts6064,420$40,850 - 87,7507%78%
65Human resources managers, all other50108,010$82,260 - 132,51011%58%
66Surveyors5070,910$50,560 - 86,96024%82%
67Floral designers5029,120$20,300 - 38,4400%55%
68Database administrators5070,230$39,440 - 117,18029%72%
69Coaches and scouts5039,880$20,710 - 64,70015%60%
70Psychologists, all other50 $ - 8%99%
71Chiropractors4069,730$45,840 - 126,42014%98%
72Writers and authors40 $ - 13%84%
73Dietitians and nutritionists4064,970$54,770 - 81,3309%72%
74Veterinarians4090,650$56,970 - 132,47035%100%
75Advertising and promotions managers4080,640$41,780 - 114,7506%76%
76Credit analysts4063,610$33,980 - 118,4802%60%
77Biological scientists, all other40 $ - 4%95%
78Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors4040,180$29,110 - 55,95034%73%
79Art directors4074,220$53,890 - 107,2609%58%
80Education administrators, postsecondary4095,610$46,280 - 137,30014%78%
81Purchasing managers4081,450$48,300 - 114,5203%57%
82Physician assistants4088,730$65,600 - 104,35027%67%
83Public relations managers4081,630$56,310 - 118,47017%75%
84Clergy3059,610$43,860 - 95,31019%75%
85Occupational health and safety specialists3073,840$41,290 - 99,9108%72%
86Social workers, all other3067,370$44,740 - 90,75018%77%

Where the Majority of Workers Do Not Have College Degrees

RankTitleLocal JobsLocal Mean SalaryTypical Local SalaryNational Growth % 2006-2016National % With College Degree
1Farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse21,23018,990$16,640 - 22,620-2%4%
2Retail salespersons5,00025,920$17,070 - 37,99012%25%
3Cashiers4,00023,270$16,750 - 37,320-2%10%
4Waiters and waitresses3,03020,180$16,670 - 22,49011%14%
5Office clerks, general2,93029,040$18,600 - 40,58013%19%
6Packers and packagers, hand2,42020,410$16,640 - 24,970-11%3%
7Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food2,13020,380$16,730 - 26,61018%5%
8Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand2,04024,650$17,100 - 37,0902%5%
9General and operations managers2,030104,920$54,290 - 2%48%
10Maids and housekeeping cleaners1,97021,230$16,840 - 25,70013%5%
11Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks1,95039,450$26,310 - 54,21013%16%
12Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners1,74027,190$16,960 - 43,31015%4%
13Executive secretaries and administrative assistants1,73041,430$28,870 - 56,95015%18%
14Stock clerks and order fillers1,57024,890$17,100 - 36,740-7%8%
15Food preparation workers1,56020,930$16,910 - 27,69015%7%
16Business operations specialists, all other1,51062,090$33,810 - 96,43021%49%
17First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers1,51051,730$30,980 - 77,2806%29%
18Maintenance and repair workers, general1,49037,050$21,000 - 54,24010%6%
19First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers1,47042,620$23,440 - 65,9204%25%
20Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer1,46036,900$25,390 - 50,93010%4%
21Cooks, restaurant1,34025,450$20,090 - 32,24012%5%
22Teacher assistants1,27025,580$18,240 - 35,77010%18%
23Landscaping and groundskeeping workers1,21028,620$20,410 - 39,37018%6%
24Carpenters1,20053,970$31,510 - 76,32010%6%
25Agricultural equipment operators1,18026,530$19,040 - 32,050-4%4%
26Truck drivers, light or delivery services1,17026,920$17,810 - 40,2008%4%
27Dishwashers1,08019,820$16,770 - 26,32010%3%
28Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop1,07019,610$16,800 - 24,32010%8%
29Construction laborers1,06036,280$23,370 - 53,41011%5%
30Medical secretaries1,03034,380$22,090 - 52,82017%18%
31Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive98033,600$22,310 - 48,4301%18%
32Medical assistants95036,160$26,080 - 47,10035%10%
33Graders and sorters, agricultural products95019,880$17,090 - 21,250-1%0%
34Cooks, fast food95020,000$16,700 - 24,8208%5%
35Industrial truck and tractor operators90028,900$19,090 - 40,100-1%2%
36Cutting and slicing machine setters, operators, and tenders90022,470$20,490 - 25,110-8%3%
37Customer service representatives88036,390$21,980 - 51,88025%22%
38Receptionists and information clerks87026,180$17,840 - 37,47017%13%
39Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers85018,900$16,650 - 23,56012%6%
40Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants83031,070$19,980 - 42,38018%7%
41Counter and rental clerks82023,270$16,640 - 34,11023%16%
42Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks81023,820$17,460 - 32,13017%14%
43Security guards81023,460$17,480 - 32,49017%13%
44First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers81031,330$21,170 - 42,41011%14%
45Police and sheriff's patrol officers77071,400$48,490 - 98,53011%33%
46First-line supervisors/managers of farming, fishing, and forestry workers75040,280$22,140 - 67,0200%0%
47Child care workers74021,180$16,920 - 26,31018%15%
48Automotive service technicians and mechanics64044,500$24,530 - 69,42014%4%
49Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks64029,830$18,650 - 43,5004%6%
50Bartenders58022,000$17,000 - 29,95011%17%
51Fire fighters57054,210$30,090 - 84,73012%18%
52Driver/sales workers54023,440$16,640 - 34,680-4%4%
53Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses53055,290$41,740 - 78,24014%7%
54Kindergarten teachers, except special education51060,400$31,640 - 79,59016%43%
55Painters, construction and maintenance49047,000$31,580 - 63,06012%6%
56Dental assistants49037,800$26,110 - 50,06029%9%
57Sales representatives, services, all other49053,290$24,740 - 90,49028%48%
58Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders48025,070$17,270 - 38,520-4%5%
59Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop47019,940$16,810 - 25,35010%17%
60Home health aides47022,780$17,540 - 27,66049%7%
61Food service managers46052,860$37,030 - 75,0205%24%
62Tellers43027,530$21,180 - 36,06014%16%
63All other information and record clerks41040,380$25,560 - 55,670-12%21%
64Cleaning, washing, and metal pickling equipment operators and tenders41019,210$17,030 - 23,190-9%0%
65Personal and home care aides39024,560$18,270 - 30,65051%10%
66Parts salespersons38034,350$18,340 - 50,960-1%6%
67Computer support specialists36047,480$32,380 - 64,37013%43%
68Electricians35063,060$37,840 - 83,1707%7%
69First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers35069,940$54,660 - 87,8909%10%
70Cooks, institution and cafeteria35032,320$19,160 - 48,48011%5%
71First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers35065,720$40,360 - 97,6107%13%
72Cleaners of vehicles and equipment34021,930$16,640 - 31,14014%3%
73Postal service mail carriers340 1%11%
74First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers33052,180$28,430 - 79,190-4%15%
75Food servers, nonrestaurant30023,800$16,740 - 40,24016%9%
76First-line supervisors/managers of housekeeping and janitorial workers30038,600$23,950 - 58,44013%11%
77Billing and posting clerks and machine operators30037,950$27,010 - 51,1104%15%
78Payroll and timekeeping clerks29037,660$22,230 - 54,1703%18%
79Water and liquid waste treatment plant and system operators28056,670$39,640 - 77,71014%8%
80Nonfarm animal caretakers28024,240$17,470 - 32,72018%16%
81File clerks28026,380$19,230 - 31,950-40%20%
82Laundry and dry-cleaning workers27023,660$17,140 - 36,57010%5%
83Amusement and recreation attendants26020,960$17,120 - 26,02024%22%
84Pharmacy technicians26036,310$25,690 - 48,42032%16%
85Installation, maintenance, and repair workers, all other25044,690$23,540 - 64,3908%9%
86Dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance25037,140$20,900 - 52,8102%11%
87Recreation workers25025,250$17,080 - 38,54013%47%
88Sheet metal workers24062,010$41,200 - 80,5707%4%
89First-line supervisors/managers of helpers, laborers, and material movers, hand24036,950$23,590 - 60,72013%17%
90Emergency medical technicians and paramedics24040,110$24,320 - 58,39019%14%
91Administrative services managers24071,460$30,570 - 113,53012%40%
92Court, municipal, and license clerks23042,260$29,330 - 61,2209%24%
93Office and administrative support workers, all other22028,280$16,640 - 47,830-8%32%
94Pressers, textile, garment, and related materials22019,690$16,640 - 23,940-3%3%
95Bakers21028,940$20,060 - 42,18010%8%
96Property, real estate, and community association managers21076,860$37,000 - 107,09015%36%
97Insurance sales agents21058,560$34,670 - 98,17013%45%
98Fitness trainers and aerobics instructors21035,340$18,000 - 62,71027%47%
99Taxi drivers and chauffeurs20023,330$17,360 - 33,86013%15%
100Word processors and typists20032,670$25,600 - 41,260-11%19%
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Central Coast College
Salinas, California
  • Programs: Business And Management, Medical Support And Technology, Office And Administration
  • Degrees/Course Work: Diploma
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Heald College
Salinas, California
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Jobs More Common Near Salinas Than Most Other Cities

* Average job popularity for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal JobsPop. vs. Avg.*
Farm, ranch, and other agricultural managers76,760140125.7
Forest and conservation workers25,300110114
Agricultural equipment operators26,5301,180107.1
Farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse18,99021,23078.5
First-line supervisors/managers of farming, fishing, and forestry workers40,28075055.3
Graders and sorters, agricultural products19,88095044.8
Cleaning, washing, and metal pickling equipment operators and tenders19,21041041
Agricultural inspectors36,43010023.4
Cutting and slicing machine setters, operators, and tenders22,47090014.5
Farm equipment mechanics38,25014012
Separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders47,2801707
Lodging managers50,3601906.7
Education, training, and library workers, all other41,1303804.7
Teachers and instructors, all other77,3702,3404.4
Baggage porters and bellhops22,2901603.5
Pressers, textile, garment, and related materials19,6902203.5
Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks23,8208103.5
Massage therapists46,0301803.5
Plasterers and stucco masons45,8701203.3
Material moving workers, all other43,0601003
Packers and packagers, hand20,4102,4202.9
Health educators38,4101902.9
Kindergarten teachers, except special education60,4005102.9
Water and liquid waste treatment plant and system operators56,6702802.8
Tile and marble setters45,6401302.7
Elementary school teachers, except special education54,8703,9802.6
Education administrators, elementary and secondary school89,9505602.5
Helpers--brickmasons, blockmasons, stonemasons, and tile and marble setters32,8501202.4
Court, municipal, and license clerks42,2602302.3
First-line supervisors/managers of fire fighting and prevention workers77,2801102.3
Food service managers52,8604602.1
English language and literature teachers, postsecondary74,8201102.1
Fire fighters54,2105702
Maids and housekeeping cleaners21,2301,9702
Medical secretaries34,3801,0302
Nonfarm animal caretakers24,2402802
Chefs and head cooks45,0602001.9
Dishwashers19,8201,0801.9
Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop19,6101,0701.8
Service station attendants20,8601301.8
Pest control workers34,3801201.8
Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers18,9008501.8
Computer specialists, all other83,8204001.8
Meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers24,4401301.8
Library technicians37,5202001.8
Medical assistants36,1609501.7
Installation, maintenance, and repair workers, all other44,6902501.7
Painters, construction and maintenance47,0004901.7
All other information and record clerks40,3804101.7
Motor vehicle operators, all other35,3501301.7

Work Paying Relatively Well in the Salinas, California Metro Area (2008 data)

* Average Salary Index for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalarySalary Index *Local Jobs
Teachers and instructors, all other77,3702.032,340
Construction managers142,1401.69150
Computer software engineers, applications123,1801.59230
Medical and health services managers131,5001.55450
Dental hygienists96,5301.52120
Self-enrichment education teachers57,0401.49120
Sheet metal workers62,0101.49240
Police and sheriff's patrol officers71,4001.47770
Property, real estate, and community association managers76,8601.44210
Marketing managers145,4801.43240
Registered nurses87,7901.422,300
Computer and information systems managers143,0601.41200
Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers57,7301.41110
Mental health and substance abuse social workers55,8401.4110
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses55,2901.4530
Water and liquid waste treatment plant and system operators56,6701.39280
Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers46,3301.38130
Carpenters53,9701.381,200
Painters, construction and maintenance47,0001.37490
Cooks, institution and cafeteria32,3201.37350
Loan officers80,5101.36160
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators58,1401.36180
Electricians63,0601.34350
Legal secretaries48,1401.34150
Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products74,8701.331,200
Switchboard operators, including answering service31,6501.31160
Management analysts96,3501.31430
Computer systems analysts89,4601.3320
Public relations specialists65,6001.3220
Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants31,0701.29830
Pharmacy technicians36,3101.29260
Data entry keyers33,6101.29150
Medical assistants36,1601.29950
Social and human service assistants36,5401.29400
Fire fighters54,2101.29570
Instructional coordinators74,0101.28170
Roofers45,2001.28190
Emergency medical technicians and paramedics40,1101.28240
Court, municipal, and license clerks42,2601.27230
Kindergarten teachers, except special education60,4001.27510
Library technicians37,5201.27200
Cement masons and concrete finishers46,7701.26140
Cashiers23,2701.264,000
Billing and posting clerks and machine operators37,9501.25300
Separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders47,2801.25170
Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators70,0101.25130
Motor vehicle operators, all other35,3501.25130
Human resources assistants, except payroll and timekeeping43,4901.25180
Computer specialists, all other83,8201.24400
Bill and account collectors38,2801.24180

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