Carlsbad, CA

Salary intelligence, cost of living, and affordability data

All 718 jobs →

Avg Salary

$76,105

across all roles

Cost Index

142

Expensive

Avg Rent

$2,450/mo

1-bed apartment

Affordability

4/10

Low Affordability

How affordable is Carlsbad?

4/10

Low Affordability

Purchasing power score: 1.21× (take-home ÷ living costs)

With a cost of living index of 142 (US avg = 100) and average disposable income of $807/mo, Carlsbad is a high-cost market — salaries need to be competitive to maintain a comfortable lifestyle.

Cost of Living Benchmarks

Cost Index

142

US avg = 100

Est. Monthly Rent

$2,450

1-bed, city avg

Avg Disposable

$807

after taxes + living costs

Median Salary

$65,740

across all tracked roles

Purchasing Power

1.21×

take-home ÷ costs

Jobs Tracked

718

job titles with data

Highest-Paying Jobs in Carlsbad

By gross annual salary

1.Obstetricians And Gynecologists
$235,930
2.Chief Executives
$231,500
3.Lawyers
$205,900
4.Podiatrists
$193,510
5.Computer And Information Systems Managers
$191,410
6.Nurse Midwives
$190,230
7.Architectural And Engineering Managers
$181,400
8.Family Medicine Physicians
$179,990
9.Commercial Pilots
$177,300
10.Dentists
$176,200

Best Jobs for Disposable Income

After taxes and living costs

1.Obstetricians And Gynecologists
$10,529/mo
2.Chief Executives
$10,260/mo
3.Lawyers
$8,703/mo
4.Podiatrists
$7,949/mo
5.Computer And Information Systems Managers
$7,821/mo
6.Nurse Midwives
$7,749/mo
7.Architectural And Engineering Managers
$7,212/mo
8.Family Medicine Physicians
$7,126/mo
9.Commercial Pilots
$6,963/mo
10.Dentists
$6,896/mo

Jobs With Tightest Budgets in Carlsbad

These roles leave the least disposable income after living costs — worth knowing before accepting an offer.

Roofers

$1/mo left

$62,860/yr gross

Advertising Sales Agents

$5/mo left

$62,920/yr gross

Miscellaneous Construction And Related Workers

$12/mo left

$63,040/yr gross

Paralegals And Legal Assistants

$16/mo left

$63,110/yr gross

Geological Technicians

$19/mo left

$63,160/yr gross

Explore Carlsbad Further

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All data derived from BLS OEWS metro data and regional cost-of-living indices. Figures are estimates; verify with local sources before making decisions.