Taper salary in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
Tapers in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area earn a median of $61,870 a year ($29.75 an hour), based on BLS data for 110 workers.
Pay ranges from $52,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,220 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $68,270. Pay here is 16% lower than the California statewide median of $73,460. There are 0.56 tapers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 6.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $67,370, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for tapers in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $52,000 | $25.00 |
| 25th percentile | $61,870 | $29.75 |
| Median | $61,870 | $29.75 |
| 75th percentile | $76,990 | $37.02 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $78,220 | $37.61 |
| Average (mean) | $67,370 | $32.39 |
Half of tapers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,155.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,577.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,379.62 |
| Weekly | $1,189.81 |
| Hourly | $29.75 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $61,870 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Taper salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $92,810 | 480 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $84,840 | 470 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $76,720 | 420 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $75,850 | 90 |
| Fresno, CA | $69,340 | 120 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $68,270 | 370 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $68,020 | 1,220 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $59,740 | 730 |
Highest-paying states for tapers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Illinois | $113,180 |
| Hawaii | $95,490 |
| Pennsylvania | $82,240 |
| Washington | $79,040 |
| Minnesota | $78,090 |
| New York | $77,790 |
| Kansas | $74,120 |
| Ohio | $73,840 |
| California | $73,460 |
| Oregon | $71,450 |
See Taper pay in every state or the California statewide figures.
Related jobs in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $56,140 | $26.99 |
| Carpenter | $75,140 | $36.12 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $56,420 | $27.12 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $61,000 | $29.33 |
| Electrician | $75,290 | $36.20 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $64,370 | $30.95 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $59,450 | $28.58 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $81,500 | $39.18 |
| Roofer | $61,390 | $29.51 |
| Plasterers and Stucco Masons | $60,130 | $28.91 |
| Tile and Stone Setters | $58,680 | $28.21 |
| Solar Photovoltaic Installer | $59,960 | $28.83 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $70,420 | $33.86 |
| Glazier | $66,520 | $31.98 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 47-2082. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a taper make in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
The median salary for tapers in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area is $61,870 a year, or $29.75 an hour. Pay ranges from $52,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,220 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid tapers make in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
The top 10% of tapers in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area earn at least $78,220 a year. The top 25% earn $76,990 or more.
What is the starting pay for tapers in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $52,000 a year, and a quarter of tapers earn $61,870 or less.
How many tapers work in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
About 110 tapers are employed in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.