Word Processors and Typists Salary in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
In Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA, word processors and typists earn $54,540 at the median — $26.22 an hour. The range runs from $40K at the entry level to $64K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 108.8), so that salary is closer to $50,129 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,124/month — about 87.7% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $55K get you in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara?
About word processors and typists
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
Entry-level word processors and typists (10th percentile) start around $40K. Mid-career wages sit at $55K.Top earners bring in $64K or more - a $23K spread from bottom to top.
Word Processors and Typists pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $54K | +12% | 40 |
| Oregon | $53K | +11% | 40 |
| Kansas | $52K | +9% | 50 |
| Rhode Island | $51K | +7% | 160 |
| California | $51K | +7% | 9,780 |
| Massachusetts | $51K | +7% | 330 |
| Illinois | $50K | +5% | 460 |
| New Jersey | $50K | +5% | 3,370 |
| Minnesota | $50K | +4% | 210 |
| Delaware | $49K | +2% | 40 |
| Michigan | $49K | +1% | 510 |
| Arizona | $48K | +1% | 70 |
| North Carolina | $48K | +0% | 130 |
| Alabama | $48K | -0% | 80 |
| District of Columbia | $48K | -1% | 120 |
Track word processors and typists 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 word processors and typists make in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
The median is $54,540 a year - that works out to about $26.22 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $40,360, and experienced word processors and typists can clear $63,580. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $55K enough to live in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,692/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,124/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 84.6% 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 word processors and typists 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 word processors and typists salary is worth about $50,129 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do word processors and typists 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.