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.

Jobs in Salinas

RankTitleTotal EmployeesLocal Mean Salary (Per Year)Local Mean Salary (Per hour)National Growth % 2014-2024
1All Occupations182940$52,060$25.03100
2Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations33570$31,230$15.010.65
3Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse30880$30,720$14.770.3
4Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations18980$31,040$14.928.7
5Office and Administrative Support Occupations18280$45,410$21.8313.75
6Sales and Related Occupations15110$42,120$20.259.5
7Transportation and Material Moving Occupations13980$36,010$17.316.7
8Educational Instruction and Library Occupations13910$74,580$35.866
9Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations7530$122,700$58.995.85
10Management Occupations7530$120,000$57.696.35
11Healthcare Support Occupations7520$36,120$17.372.85
12Production Occupations6450$42,420$20.45.6
13Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations5880$35,900$17.263.6
14Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations5830$56,190$27.023.75
15Protective Service Occupations5330$72,080$34.652.2
16Business and Financial Operations Occupations5250$77,040$37.045.35
17Construction and Extraction Occupations5180$63,310$30.444.6
18Cashiers4900$28,820$13.862.2
19Fast Food and Counter Workers4390$26,890$12.932.45
20Home Health and Personal Care Aides4220$29,690$14.280
21Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand4200$29,350$14.111.8
22Waiters and Waitresses3990$31,490$15.141.65
23Retail Salespersons3680$35,280$16.962.7
24Personal Care and Service Occupations3200$34,850$16.754.65
25Office Clerks, General3170$40,600$19.521.9
26Registered Nurses2740$133,580$64.221.95
27Community and Social Service Occupations2700$62,240$29.921.75
28Maintenance and Repair Workers, General2130$48,100$23.130.9
29Computer and Mathematical Occupations2070$95,940$46.133
30Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners2070$33,480$16.10.9
31General and Operations Managers1990$126,280$60.711.5
32Stockers and Order Fillers1940$31,810$15.291.25
33Cooks, Restaurant1930$35,460$17.050.9
34Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks1910$51,910$24.961.05
35Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners1860$35,190$16.921.5
36Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive1820$45,240$21.751.4
37Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers1690$47,860$23.011.2
38Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations1560$81,800$39.330.8
39Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations1550$58,620$28.181.8
40Packers and Packagers, Hand1490$28,210$13.560.4
41Substitute Teachers, Short-Term1460$49,790$23.940.4
42Food Preparation Workers1420$29,560$14.210.5
43Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers1420$35,700$17.160.75
44First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers1380$46,880$22.540.95
45First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers1350$62,120$29.860.95
46First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers1300$40,600$19.520.6
47Project Management Specialists and Business Operations Specialists, All Other1180$73,060$35.120.7
48Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers1170$28,110$13.510.3
49Dishwashers1130$27,810$13.370.3
50Cooks, Fast Food1120$26,290$12.640.3
51Receptionists and Information Clerks1120$33,120$15.920.7
52Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products1050$83,490$40.140.85
53Bartenders1030$33,060$15.90.4
54Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators1020$35,720$17.170.4
55Architecture and Engineering Occupations980$95,770$46.041.7
56Customer Service Representatives970$43,850$21.081.75
57Carpenters960$74,350$35.750.6
58Security Guards960$33,830$16.270.7
59First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers940$48,360$23.250
60Counter and Rental Clerks920$36,920$17.750.3
61Light Truck Drivers860$38,790$18.650.6
62Medical Assistants860$38,670$18.590.45
63Nursing Assistants860$46,170$22.20.95
64Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders860$33,780$16.240.2
65Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks830$33,270$160.15
66Construction Laborers810$50,180$24.120.9
67Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel800$60,790$29.230.7
68Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics740$53,880$25.90.5
69Accountants and Auditors690$97,640$46.940.9
70Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers680$41,940$20.170.35
71Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks670$39,550$19.020.4
72Sales Managers620$113,270$54.460.3
73Amusement and Recreation Attendants610$28,820$13.850.2
74Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants610$50,260$24.170.4
75Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses600$59,190$28.460.5
76Computer Occupations, All Other590$104,380$50.180.3
77Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment580$27,450$13.20.3
78Legal Occupations580$108,470$52.150.8
79Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants560$56,610$27.220.35
80Financial Managers560$144,040$69.250.4
81Dental Assistants510$45,430$21.840.2
82Electricians500$74,000$35.580.45
83Human Resources Specialists500$71,850$34.540.4
84Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents480$70,450$33.870.3
85Agricultural Equipment Operators470$35,980$17.30
86Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors470$85,620$41.160.2
87Social and Human Service Assistants470$37,120$17.850.3
88Passenger Vehicle Drivers, Except Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity460$40,330$19.390.3
89Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance440$43,570$20.950.1
90Driver/Sales Workers440$33,860$16.280.3
91First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers440$80,060$38.490.3
92First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers440$73,090$35.140.4
93Data Entry Keyers420$32,560$15.650.1
94Management Analysts420$79,170$38.060.55
95Childcare Workers410$33,040$15.880.7
96Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop410$28,990$13.940.3
97Parts Salespersons410$33,950$16.320.2
98Billing and Posting Clerks400$44,010$21.160.3
99Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity400$59,300$28.510.1
100Instructional Coordinators400$87,440$42.040.1
Source: 2019 Occupational Employment Statistics and 2018-28 Employment Projections, Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS.gov
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Additional Details

Salinas Colleges
Salinas colleges and trade schools.

Jobs More Common Near Salinas Than Most Other Cities

* Average job popularity for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
All Occupations$52,060182,940
Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations$31,23033,570
Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse$30,72030,880
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations$31,04018,980
Office and Administrative Support Occupations$45,41018,280
Sales and Related Occupations$42,12015,110
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations$36,01013,980
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations$74,58013,910
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations$122,7007,530
Management Occupations$120,0007,530
Healthcare Support Occupations$36,1207,520
Production Occupations$42,4206,450
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations$35,9005,880
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations$56,1905,830
Protective Service Occupations$72,0805,330
Business and Financial Operations Occupations$77,0405,250
Construction and Extraction Occupations$63,3105,180
Cashiers$28,8204,900
Fast Food and Counter Workers$26,8904,390
Home Health and Personal Care Aides$29,6904,220
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$29,3504,200
Waiters and Waitresses$31,4903,990
Retail Salespersons$35,2803,680
Personal Care and Service Occupations$34,8503,200
Office Clerks, General$40,6003,170
Registered Nurses$133,5802,740
Community and Social Service Occupations$62,2402,700
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$48,1002,130
Computer and Mathematical Occupations$95,9402,070
Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$33,4802,070
General and Operations Managers$126,2801,990
Stockers and Order Fillers$31,8101,940
Cooks, Restaurant$35,4601,930
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$51,9101,910
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$35,1901,860
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$45,2401,820
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$47,8601,690
Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations$81,8001,560
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations$58,6201,550
Packers and Packagers, Hand$28,2101,490
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term$49,7901,460
Food Preparation Workers$29,5601,420
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers$35,7001,420
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$46,8801,380
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$62,1201,350
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$40,6001,300
Project Management Specialists and Business Operations Specialists, All Other$73,0601,180
Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers$28,1101,170
Dishwashers$27,8101,130
Cooks, Fast Food$26,2901,120

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

* Average Salary Index for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
All Occupations$52,060182,940
Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations$31,23033,570
Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse$30,72030,880
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations$31,04018,980
Office and Administrative Support Occupations$45,41018,280
Sales and Related Occupations$42,12015,110
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations$36,01013,980
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations$74,58013,910
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations$122,7007,530
Management Occupations$120,0007,530
Healthcare Support Occupations$36,1207,520
Production Occupations$42,4206,450
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations$35,9005,880
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations$56,1905,830
Protective Service Occupations$72,0805,330
Business and Financial Operations Occupations$77,0405,250
Construction and Extraction Occupations$63,3105,180
Cashiers$28,8204,900
Fast Food and Counter Workers$26,8904,390
Home Health and Personal Care Aides$29,6904,220
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$29,3504,200
Waiters and Waitresses$31,4903,990
Retail Salespersons$35,2803,680
Personal Care and Service Occupations$34,8503,200
Office Clerks, General$40,6003,170
Registered Nurses$133,5802,740
Community and Social Service Occupations$62,2402,700
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$48,1002,130
Computer and Mathematical Occupations$95,9402,070
Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$33,4802,070
General and Operations Managers$126,2801,990
Stockers and Order Fillers$31,8101,940
Cooks, Restaurant$35,4601,930
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$51,9101,910
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$35,1901,860
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$45,2401,820
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$47,8601,690
Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations$81,8001,560
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations$58,6201,550
Packers and Packagers, Hand$28,2101,490
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term$49,7901,460
Food Preparation Workers$29,5601,420
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers$35,7001,420
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$46,8801,380
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$62,1201,350
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$40,6001,300
Project Management Specialists and Business Operations Specialists, All Other$73,0601,180
Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers$28,1101,170
Dishwashers$27,8101,130
Cooks, Fast Food$26,2901,120

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