By Staff Report Wednesday, July 17th, 2024

Workers in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara had an average hourly wage of $33.13 in May 2023, compared to the nationwide average of $31.48, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported on July 11. 

Regional Commissioner Chris Rosenlund noted that higher-paying major occupational groups included management ($68.09), computer and mathematical ($63.83), and legal ($59.02).

Lower paying occupations included food preparation and serving related ($19.33), healthcare support ($20.28), and building and grounds cleaning and maintenance ($20.68). 

Occupational groups with the highest employment in the Santa Maria area included food preparation and serving related (11.5%), office and administrative support (10.4%), and sales and related (7.8%). 

Major occupational groups on the lower end of local employment included legal (0.5%); life, physical, and social science (1.3%); and arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media (1.3%).

Focusing on one industry, Santa Maria had 23,340 jobs in food preparation and serving related, accounting for 11.5% of local area employment, compared to the 8.7% share nationally. 

The average hourly wage for this occupational group locally was $19.33, compared to the national wage of $16.58.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics