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Average salary by job family in Chico
| Management | $124,690 |
|---|---|
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical | $120,340 |
| Architecture and Engineering | $108,940 |
| Legal | $107,090 |
| Computer and Mathematical | $94,410 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science | $86,280 |
| Business and Financial Operations | $86,100 |
| Educational Instruction and Library | $79,340 |
| Construction and Extraction | $69,890 |
| Installation, Maintenance, and Repair | $68,050 |
| Protective Service | $67,700 |
| Community and Social Service | $66,900 |
| Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media | $64,630 |
| Production | $53,060 |
| Office and Administrative Support | $52,200 |
| Transportation and Material Moving | $49,790 |
| Sales and Related | $49,220 |
| Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance | $45,940 |
| Farming, Fishing, and Forestry | $41,750 |
| Personal Care and Service | $41,630 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related | $40,430 |
| Healthcare Support | $40,210 |
Highest-paying jobs in Chico
- Physicians, All Other$348,950
- Family Medicine Physicians$253,070
- Chief Executives$228,930
- Dentists, General$172,230
- Nurse Practitioners$166,540
- Physician Assistants$159,600
- Veterinarians$157,360
- Pharmacists$157,060
- Computer and Information Systems Managers$154,100
- Human Resources Managers$153,890
Most common jobs in Chico and what they pay
| Job | Jobs | Average salary | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | 5,940 | $35,580 | $34,320 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | 2,630 | $39,470 | $38,210 |
| Registered Nurses | 2,170 | $134,900 | $127,360 |
| Cashiers | 2,090 | $39,000 | $35,210 |
| Retail Salespersons | 2,010 | $41,260 | $36,680 |
| Office Clerks, General | 1,700 | $45,690 | $42,840 |
| General and Operations Managers | 1,260 | $117,540 | $98,390 |
| Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | 1,220 | $45,160 | $45,660 |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | 1,120 | $87,890 | $95,000 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | 1,040 | $40,400 | $37,180 |
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Cost of living in Chico
Prices in the Chico area are in line with the U.S. average, with a BEA price parity of 101.2 for 2024. The average local salary of $65,420 therefore buys what $64,646 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. A typical home is worth $401,581, 5.9 times the median household income of $68,574.
$401,581typical home value
$68,574median household income
101.2BEA price parity
209,470metro population
Take-home pay in Chico
| Salary level | Gross | After tax | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25th percentile wage | $37,180 | $31,431 | $2,619 |
| Median wage | $48,050 | $39,713 | $3,309 |
| Average wage | $65,420 | $52,582 | $4,382 |
| 75th percentile wage | $75,970 | $59,270 | $4,939 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
Salaries for every job in Chico
Management22 jobs
- Chief Executives$229K
- Computer and Information Systems Managers$154K
- Human Resources Managers$154K
- Financial Managers$154K
- Marketing Managers$152K
- Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary$145K
- Managers, All Other$138K
- Medical and Health Services Managers$137K
- Industrial Production Managers$130K
- Education Administrators, Postsecondary$128K
- Administrative Services Managers$126K
- Construction Managers$124K
- Education Administrators, All Other$123K
- Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers$122K
- General and Operations Managers$118K
- Sales Managers$117K
- Facilities Managers$116K
- Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling$96K
- Social and Community Service Managers$90K
- Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers$77K
- Food Service Managers$75K
- Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare$74K
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical25 jobs
- Physicians, All Other$349K
- Family Medicine Physicians$253K
- Dentists, General$172K
- Nurse Practitioners$167K
- Physician Assistants$160K
- Veterinarians$157K
- Pharmacists$157K
- Optometrists$152K
- Registered Nurses$135K
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographers$124K
- Occupational Therapists$121K
- Physical Therapists$121K
- Speech-Language Pathologists$118K
- Dental Hygienists$117K
- Radiologic Technologists and Technicians$99K
- Dietitians and Nutritionists$93K
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$78K
- Surgical Technologists$78K
- Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians$64K
- Medical Records Specialists$64K
- Opticians, Dispensing$60K
- Veterinary Technologists and Technicians$58K
- Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other$58K
- Pharmacy Technicians$55K
- Dietetic Technicians$44K
Architecture and Engineering5 jobs
Legal2 jobs
Computer and Mathematical7 jobs
Life, Physical, and Social Science8 jobs
- Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists$149K
- School Psychologists$122K
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health$103K
- Occupational Health and Safety Specialists$91K
- Biological Scientists, All Other$83K
- Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other$61K
- Food Science Technicians$55K
- Social Science Research Assistants$42K
Business and Financial Operations20 jobs
- Project Management Specialists$115K
- Personal Financial Advisors$112K
- Financial and Investment Analysts$95K
- Cost Estimators$92K
- Compliance Officers$91K
- Logisticians$90K
- Business Operations Specialists, All Other$90K
- Management Analysts$89K
- Loan Officers$87K
- Accountants and Auditors$86K
- Fundraisers$81K
- Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists$80K
- Human Resources Specialists$78K
- Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists$77K
- Buyers and Purchasing Agents$72K
- Training and Development Specialists$70K
- Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners$68K
- Property Appraisers and Assessors$63K
- Financial Specialists, All Other$63K
- Tax Preparers$51K
Educational Instruction and Library16 jobs
- Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary$129K
- Instructional Coordinators$101K
- Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$98K
- Teachers and Instructors, All Other$91K
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education$88K
- Librarians and Media Collections Specialists$88K
- Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School$87K
- Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education$85K
- Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$84K
- Educational Instruction and Library Workers, All Other$72K
- Substitute Teachers, Short-Term$65K
- Self-Enrichment Teachers$54K
- Library Technicians$50K
- Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education$45K
- Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary$45K
- Tutors$39K
Construction and Extraction16 jobs
- Construction and Building Inspectors$93K
- First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers$91K
- Structural Iron and Steel Workers$90K
- Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators$90K
- Electricians$78K
- Carpenters$72K
- Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$68K
- Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers$68K
- Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers$66K
- Roofers$61K
- Construction Laborers$60K
- Highway Maintenance Workers$57K
- Tile and Stone Setters$53K
- Painters, Construction and Maintenance$52K
- Fence Erectors$50K
- Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners$45K
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair15 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers$102K
- Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers$99K
- Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers$79K
- Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines$71K
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers$67K
- Automotive Body and Related Repairers$64K
- Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics$63K
- Industrial Machinery Mechanics$63K
- Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists$60K
- Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians$60K
- Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$57K
- Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers$52K
- Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other$51K
- Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers$42K
- Tire Repairers and Changers$40K
Protective Service7 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives$132K
- First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers$96K
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$95K
- Firefighters$73K
- Protective Service Workers, All Other$42K
- Security Guards$41K
- Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers$37K
Community and Social Service12 jobs
- Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors$91K
- Marriage and Family Therapists$91K
- Healthcare Social Workers$82K
- Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists$81K
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers$68K
- Child, Family, and School Social Workers$65K
- Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors$63K
- Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other$59K
- Health Education Specialists$59K
- Social and Human Service Assistants$52K
- Community Health Workers$47K
- Rehabilitation Counselors$45K
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media4 jobs
Production20 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$80K
- Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators$80K
- Machinists$58K
- Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$55K
- Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$54K
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators$53K
- Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$53K
- Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters$50K
- Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$49K
- Printing Press Operators$49K
- Butchers and Meat Cutters$47K
- Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood$47K
- Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$46K
- Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders$46K
- Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing$46K
- Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$44K
- Bakers$43K
- Helpers--Production Workers$42K
- Production Workers, All Other$40K
- Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers$37K
Office and Administrative Support29 jobs
- Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants$76K
- First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$73K
- Public Safety Telecommunicators$65K
- Postal Service Clerks$64K
- Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks$63K
- Postal Service Mail Carriers$61K
- Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks$60K
- Court, Municipal, and License Clerks$56K
- Information and Record Clerks, All Other$56K
- Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$55K
- Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs$53K
- Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance$53K
- Billing and Posting Clerks$53K
- Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping$52K
- Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$52K
- Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks$51K
- Loan Interviewers and Clerks$50K
- Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants$50K
- Customer Service Representatives$49K
- Interviewers, Except Eligibility and Loan$48K
- Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks$47K
- Order Clerks$46K
- Office Clerks, General$46K
- Tellers$46K
- File Clerks$45K
- Data Entry Keyers$44K
- Receptionists and Information Clerks$42K
- Library Assistants, Clerical$42K
- Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks$37K
Transportation and Material Moving15 jobs
- Commercial Pilots$150K
- First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors$62K
- Bus Drivers, School$58K
- Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors$58K
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$57K
- Light Truck Drivers$49K
- Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators$47K
- Driver/Sales Workers$46K
- Material Moving Workers, All Other$45K
- Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs$44K
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$42K
- Stockers and Order Fillers$40K
- Packers and Packagers, Hand$39K
- Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants$39K
- Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment$38K
Sales and Related14 jobs
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products$113K
- Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents$86K
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$79K
- First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers$71K
- Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel$68K
- Insurance Sales Agents$66K
- Real Estate Sales Agents$62K
- Sales and Related Workers, All Other$57K
- First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$54K
- Demonstrators and Product Promoters$48K
- Counter and Rental Clerks$48K
- Parts Salespersons$45K
- Retail Salespersons$41K
- Cashiers$39K
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance6 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers$74K
- First-Line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers$57K
- Pest Control Workers$49K
- Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers$46K
- Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$43K
- Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$39K
Farming, Fishing, and Forestry3 jobs
Personal Care and Service12 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services$56K
- First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers$56K
- First-Line Supervisors of Gambling Services Workers$54K
- Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors$52K
- Residential Advisors$43K
- Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists$42K
- Skincare Specialists$41K
- Animal Caretakers$40K
- Childcare Workers$39K
- Recreation Workers$39K
- Gambling Dealers$38K
- Amusement and Recreation Attendants$36K
Food Preparation and Serving Related15 jobs
- Chefs and Head Cooks$57K
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$51K
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria$43K
- Cooks, Fast Food$40K
- Cooks, Restaurant$40K
- Food Servers, Nonrestaurant$40K
- Fast Food and Counter Workers$39K
- Waiters and Waitresses$39K
- Food Preparation Workers$39K
- Bartenders$39K
- Cooks, Short Order$39K
- Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other$37K
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop$36K
- Dishwashers$36K
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers$36K
Healthcare Support13 jobs
- Physical Therapist Assistants$70K
- Massage Therapists$69K
- Phlebotomists$56K
- Medical Transcriptionists$54K
- Dental Assistants$52K
- Medical Equipment Preparers$51K
- Healthcare Support Workers, All Other$51K
- Medical Assistants$49K
- Nursing Assistants$47K
- Pharmacy Aides$44K
- Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers$43K
- Physical Therapist Aides$40K
- Home Health and Personal Care Aides$36K
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Salary in Chico: questions
What is a good salary in Chico?
Half of all workers in the Chico metro earn less than $48,050 and the average is $65,420. Earning more than $75,970 puts you in the top quarter of local wages.
How much do you need to earn in Chico to match a $69,770 salary elsewhere?
About $70,605, because prices here are in line with the U.S. average (BEA price parity 101.2).
What are the highest-paying jobs in Chico?
Physicians, All Other ($348,950), Family Medicine Physicians ($253,070), Chief Executives ($228,930).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. Area Chico, CA (17020), all occupations and 286 individual jobs. What a metro area includes.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Population and median household income: Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2023.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
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