San Mateo, CA

Salary intelligence, cost of living, and affordability data

All 718 jobs →

Avg Salary

$76,105

across all roles

Cost Index

158

Expensive

Avg Rent

$2,780/mo

1-bed apartment

Affordability

4/10

Low Affordability

How affordable is San Mateo?

4/10

Low Affordability

Purchasing power score: 1.09× (take-home ÷ living costs)

With a cost of living index of 158 (US avg = 100) and average disposable income of $397/mo, San Mateo is a high-cost market — salaries need to be competitive to maintain a comfortable lifestyle.

Cost of Living Benchmarks

Cost Index

158

US avg = 100

Est. Monthly Rent

$2,780

1-bed, city avg

Avg Disposable

$397

after taxes + living costs

Median Salary

$65,740

across all tracked roles

Purchasing Power

1.09×

take-home ÷ costs

Jobs Tracked

718

job titles with data

Highest-Paying Jobs in San Mateo

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
$10,119/mo
2.Chief Executives
$9,850/mo
3.Lawyers
$8,293/mo
4.Podiatrists
$7,539/mo
5.Computer And Information Systems Managers
$7,411/mo
6.Nurse Midwives
$7,339/mo
7.Architectural And Engineering Managers
$6,802/mo
8.Family Medicine Physicians
$6,716/mo
9.Commercial Pilots
$6,553/mo
10.Dentists
$6,486/mo

Jobs With Tightest Budgets in San Mateo

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

Transportation Security Screeners

$8/mo left

$69,720/yr gross

Social Workers

$16/mo left

$69,850/yr gross

Stationary Engineers And Boiler Operators

$16/mo left

$69,850/yr gross

Athletic Trainers

$30/mo left

$70,080/yr gross

Service Unit Operators

$39/mo left

$70,230/yr gross

Explore San Mateo 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.