Careers in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
Part of California.
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA’s regional price level is above the national average (index 108.798, where 100 = U.S. average, 2024 BEA data).
Unemployment rate: 4.2% · 215,731 people employed (2026-06, BLS LAUS, not seasonally adjusted).
Highest-Paying Careers
See full list →- 1Psychiatrists$333,300
- 2Physicians, All Other$296,960
- 3Family Medicine Physicians$287,230
- 4Architectural and Engineering Managers$207,900
- 5Computer and Information Systems Managers$207,760
Largest Occupations
See full list →- 1Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse11,020 employed
- 2Home Health and Personal Care Aides6,470 employed
- 3Fast Food and Counter Workers5,930 employed
- 4Retail Salespersons4,490 employed
- 5Cashiers4,170 employed
Highest Concentration
See full list →- 1Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse32.14× national avg
- 2First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers19.72× national avg
- 3Agricultural Equipment Operators12.57× national avg
- 4Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary8.91× national avg
- 5Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers8.39× national avg
Best Purchasing Power
See full list →cost-of-living adjusted
- 1Psychiatrists$306,348
- 2Physicians, All Other$272,946
- 3Family Medicine Physicians$264,003
- 4Architectural and Engineering Managers$191,088
- 5Computer and Information Systems Managers$190,959
Sources
Wage and employment data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities. Unemployment rate: BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS). Opportunity Score isn’t available at the metro level yet — see California state page.