SOC 37-3012 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation — Santa Maria
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA · 10 metro areas compared
In Santa Maria, CA the median wage is $41,140.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Santa Maria, CA the median wage is $41,140. That is 11.2% lower than the national median of $46,340. Pay ranges from under $37,850 at the tenth percentile to more than $56,680 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $40,470 to $56,330.
The area has 60 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 1.85 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, San Francisco records the highest median at $54,420. Of the 433 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 382nd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $37,850 | −18.3% |
| 25th | $40,470 | −12.7% |
| Median (50th) | $41,140 | −11.2% |
| 75th | $56,330 | +21.6% |
| 90th | $56,680 | +22.3% |
| Mean | $45,880 | −1.0% |
Other metro areas in California
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco | $54,420 | 100 | |
| 2 | Los Angeles | $48,140 | 430 | |
| 3 | Sacramento | $47,880 | 100 | |
| 4 | San Jose | $47,430 | 70 | |
| 5 | Oxnard | $47,100 | 80 | |
| 6 | San Diego | $46,110 | — | |
| 7 | Riverside | $46,090 | 190 | |
| 8 | Stockton | $44,890 | 60 | |
| 9 | Salinas | $41,540 | 220 | |
| 10 | Bakersfield | $40,750 | 40 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Santa Maria run 10.7% above the national average, so the median of $41,140 buys what $37,164 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 19.8% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$41,140as reported by BLSLocal price level
110.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$37,164US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $41,140 a year, 11.2% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $37,850 to $56,680 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 60 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is San Francisco, at $54,420.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation in Santa Maria, CA?
The median annual wage is $41,140, or $19.78 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 $46,340, so pay in Santa Maria, CA is 11.2% lower. 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 Santa Maria, CA earns more than $56,680 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $37,850 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 San Francisco, at $54,420 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 60 jobs in this occupation in Santa Maria, 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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