Salaries in Rialto, CA

Here’s the thing about Rialto: its median income is actually higher than you’d guess for a city this size. At $80,321, it punches above its weight, but don’t let that headline number fool you. The real story is in the purchasing power, and it’s a tale of two economies.

With a cost of living index of 107.9, you’re paying about 8% more than the national average for groceries, utilities, and rent. That $2,104 monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment eats up a hefty chunk of that median income. The COL-adjusted average salary here drops from $55,671 to just $51,595. For many, that means Rialto isn’t the bargain it appears to be on the surface. You’re working harder to make your dollars stretch. My honest take? For a single earner, it’s a squeeze. For a dual-income household, it becomes much more manageable.

So who actually thrives here? Rialto’s economy leans heavily on logistics and healthcare. You have the massive BNSF Railway yard and the nearby Ontario Airport driving transportation jobs. In healthcare, Arrowhead Regional Medical Center is a major employer. But the real financial winners are in the tech and skilled trades. Software developers are pulling in a COL-adjusted $120,738, while electricians, who are always in demand, see a solid $58,395 after adjustment. It’s a city where a college degree isn’t the only path to a good living.

The catch? Wages, particularly in education and some service sectors, aren’t keeping pace with the rising costs. With an unemployment rate at 5.2% and only 12.5% of the population holding a bachelor’s degree, there’s a clear divide. If you’re in one of the top-paying fields, Rialto can work. If you’re not, you’ll feel the financial pinch.

The data below will show you exactly where the opportunities lie and what your potential take-home pay really looks like.