Tapers Salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
In San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, tapers earn $76,080 at the median — $36.58 an hour. The range runs from $62K at the entry level to $129K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 110.42), so that salary is closer to $68,901 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,483/month — about 70.1% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $76K get you in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
About tapers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Entry-level tapers (10th percentile) start around $62K. Mid-career wages sit at $76K.Top earners bring in $129K or more - a $67K spread from bottom to top.
Tapers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | $110K | +69% | 380 |
| Massachusetts | $108K | +66% | 290 |
| Hawaii | $98K | +51% | 180 |
| New Jersey | $96K | +49% | 40 |
| Oregon | $90K | +39% | 390 |
| Minnesota | $87K | +34% | 210 |
| Pennsylvania | $82K | +27% | 90 |
| Connecticut | $72K | +11% | 150 |
| Washington | $71K | +9% | 1,510 |
| New York | $70K | +8% | N/A |
| California | $70K | +8% | 3,790 |
| Ohio | $68K | +5% | 70 |
| Iowa | $65K | +1% | 70 |
| Indiana | $64K | -0% | 70 |
| Michigan | $62K | -4% | 270 |
Track tapers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara numbers change.
Related careers in Construction & Trades
Frequently asked questions
How much do tapers make in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
The median is $76,080 a year - that works out to about $36.58 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $62,310, and experienced tapers can clear $129,280. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $76K enough to live in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,891/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,483/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 71.2% 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 tapers salary go in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara has a Regional Price Parity of 110.42 (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 tapers salary is worth about $68,901 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do tapers 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.