Computer User Support Specialists Salary in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
Computer User Support Specialists in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA make a median of $78,260 a year, or about $37.62 an hour. The range runs from $53K at the entry level to $101K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 108.8), so that salary is closer to $71,930 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,124/month — about 61.1% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $78K get you in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara?
About computer user support specialists
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
Entry-level computer user support specialists (10th percentile) start around $53K. Mid-career wages sit at $78K.Top earners bring in $101K or more - a $48K spread from bottom to top.
Computer User Support Specialists pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $77K | +27% | 3,690 |
| California | $77K | +27% | 70,920 |
| Massachusetts | $76K | +25% | 19,570 |
| Connecticut | $69K | +14% | 9,220 |
| Washington | $69K | +14% | 20,450 |
| Vermont | $68K | +13% | 2,000 |
| New Jersey | $66K | +9% | 19,930 |
| New Hampshire | $65K | +7% | 3,400 |
| New York | $64K | +6% | 41,260 |
| Virginia | $63K | +5% | 20,300 |
| Minnesota | $63K | +4% | 14,740 |
| Delaware | $62K | +3% | 2,220 |
| Maryland | $62K | +3% | 10,820 |
| Arizona | $62K | +3% | 20,400 |
| Oregon | $61K | +1% | 9,020 |
Track computer user support specialists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Santa Maria-Santa Barbara numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do computer user support specialists make in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
The median is $78,260 a year - that works out to about $37.62 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $52,740, and experienced computer user support specialists can clear $100,690. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $78K enough to live in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,002/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,124/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 62.5% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a computer user support specialists salary go in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara?
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara has a Regional Price Parity of 108.8 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median computer user support specialists salary is worth about $71,930 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do computer user support specialists get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.