SOC 13-1031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators — Salinas
Salinas, CA · 10 metro areas compared
In Salinas, CA the median wage for Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators reaches $101,900 a year.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Salinas, CA the median wage for Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators reaches $101,900 a year. That is 30.6% more than the national median of $78,000. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $81,290 and $117,060. The lowest tenth earn under $63,750, while the highest tenth earn more than $136,640.
Employment stands at 150, or 0.8 jobs per thousand held locally. Merced leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $110,910. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 65th of 369 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $63,750 | −18.3% |
| 25th | $81,290 | +4.2% |
| Median (50th) | $101,900 | +30.6% |
| 75th | $117,060 | +50.1% |
| 90th | $136,640 | +75.2% |
| Mean | $102,060 | +30.8% |
Other metro areas in California
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Merced | $110,910 | 40 | |
| 2 | San Francisco | $105,340 | 3,390 | |
| 3 | Santa Maria | $99,660 | 100 | |
| 4 | San Jose | $98,230 | 370 | |
| 5 | Santa Rosa | $96,970 | 150 | |
| 6 | Santa Cruz | $95,730 | 60 | |
| 7 | Stockton | $95,490 | 280 | |
| 8 | Vallejo | $92,410 | 280 | |
| 9 | Riverside | $91,940 | 1,410 | |
| 10 | Los Angeles | $89,070 | 7,540 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Salinas run 10.7% above the national average, so the median of $101,900 buys what $92,051 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 18.0% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$101,900as reported by BLSLocal price level
110.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$92,051US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $101,900 a year, 30.6% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $63,750 to $136,640 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 150 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Merced, at $110,910.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators in Salinas, CA?
The median annual wage is $101,900, or $48.99 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $78,000, so pay in Salinas, CA is 30.6% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Salinas, CA earns more than $136,640 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $63,750 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Merced, at $110,910 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 150 jobs in this occupation in Salinas, CA. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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