Metro profile · CBSA 42200
Healthcare wages in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
35 occupations with reported wage data, scored on the WageBench 0-100 scale that blends pay, cost of living, state tax, and license access.
CRISIS PAY WATCH · FEMA
5 active disasters in California· Chemical · Fire
State-level overlay — county-to-metro rollup pending.
- 2-7 FIRE
- BAIN FIRE
- CANYON FIRE
- + 2 more declarations
Active disaster declarations often drive temporary surges in travel-nurse, RT, and crisis-response pay rates. Recruiters may offer sign-on bonuses or premium hourly rates for crisis assignments. WageBench base wages do not include these premiums.
See full active disaster overlay →Latest declared 2026-05-25
COL Index (RPP)
—
100 = national avg
HUD FMR (2BR)
—
Fair-market rent
GSA Per Diem
—
Lodging stipend cap
Avg Score
42
Across 35 roles
Every healthcare occupation in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara
Sortable by median wage, take-home after state tax, or WageBench Score. Click any role for state + metro comparison.
35 occupations · page 1 of 2
| Occupation | Category | Annual Median | Take-Home | WageBench Score ↓ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurses | nursing | $137,360 | $129,118 | 47 |
| Psychiatric Technicians | allied | $63,510 | $59,699 | 47 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | allied | $110,770 | $104,124 | 47 |
| Phlebotomists | support | $60,290 | $56,673 | 46 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographers | allied | $132,490 | $124,541 | 46 |
| Respiratory Therapists | allied | $108,600 | $102,084 | 45 |
| Speech-Language Pathologists | allied | $126,850 | $119,239 | 45 |
| Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists | allied | $125,660 | $118,120 | 45 |
| Orderlies | support | $50,040 | $47,038 | 45 |
| Physical Therapists | allied | $128,680 | $120,959 | 44 |
| Physical Therapist Assistants | support | $85,150 | $80,041 | 44 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | allied | $58,490 | $54,981 | 44 |
| Nurse Practitioners | nursing | $165,580 | $155,645 | 44 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | nursing | $79,010 | $74,269 | 44 |
| Pharmacy Technicians | allied | $56,580 | $53,185 | 44 |
| Occupational Therapists | allied | $125,890 | $118,337 | 44 |
| Family Medicine Physicians | physician | $287,230 | $269,996 | 43 |
| Veterinarians | allied | $158,840 | $149,310 | 43 |
| Physician Assistants | physician | $158,360 | $148,858 | 43 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistants | support | $86,440 | $81,254 | 43 |
| Psychiatrists | physician | $333,300 | $313,302 | 43 |
| Surgical Technologists | allied | $78,510 | $73,799 | 43 |
| Pharmacists | allied | $162,520 | $152,769 | 42 |
| Medical Assistants | support | $49,500 | $46,530 | 41 |
| Dietetic Technicians | allied | $40,490 | $38,061 | 41 |
| Dental Assistants | support | $51,310 | $48,231 | 41 |
| Other Physicians, All Other | physician | $296,960 | $279,142 | 41 |
| Nursing Assistants | support | $47,130 | $44,302 | 41 |
| Physical Therapist Aides | support | $36,790 | $34,583 | 40 |
| Dentists, General | physician | $170,940 | $160,684 | 39 |
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Pro tier
Travel ROI: Registered Nurses in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara
Take-home, GSA stipend math vs HUD FMR, license context, and a 5-state comparison — formatted for assignment evaluation.