Cost of hiring in the North Coast Region of California nonmetro area
Bookkeeper is the largest of these 16 jobs in the North Coast Region of California nonmetro area, with about 1,300 people1. Medians run from $43,730 a year for virtual receptionists to $91,210 for project coordinators.
Data from the May 2025 release, checked 2026-10-15.
Median pay by role in the North Coast Region of California nonmetro area
| Role | Median per year | vs US median | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Receptionist | +15.0% | 420 | |
| Administrative Assistant | +11.3% | 1,120 | |
| Data Entry Specialist | +11.2% | 60 | |
| HR Assistant | +10.3% | 40 | |
| Payroll Specialist | +10.1% | 130 | |
| Bookkeeper | +8.1% | 1,300 | |
| Customer Support Specialist | +7.7% | 690 | |
| Medical Administrative Assistant | +6.3% | 660 | |
| Office Manager | +5.6% | 910 | |
| Recruiter | -0.5% | 410 | |
| Paralegal | -0.7% | 120 | |
| Executive Assistant | -3.3% | 240 | |
| Accountant | -10.5% | 750 | |
| Project Coordinator | -10.9% | 440 | |
| Marketing Specialist | -13.1% | 280 | |
| Sales Development Representative | -27.5% | 390 |
The employer pays more than the wage: benefits and payroll taxes other than paid leave are 22.5% of total compensation in US private industry2, so a $54,750 median for bookkeepers, the largest of these jobs here, comes to about $70,645 a year. That is an estimate: benefit levels vary by employer.
the North Coast Region of California nonmetro area against the US
The North Coast Region of California nonmetro area pays above the US median for 9 of the 16 roles, most of all for virtual receptionists (+15.0%) and administrative assistants (+11.3%), and below it for 5, furthest for sales development representatives (-27.5%). For recruiters and paralegals it is within 1% of the US figure. The middle gap across all 16 is +5.9%: for most of these roles, hiring costs more here than at the US median. Its best national standing is for payroll specialists, #25 of 486 areas by median pay; its lowest is for sales development representatives, #420 of 520.
Compared with the US mix of these jobs, the North Coast Region of California nonmetro area has more bookkeepers (16.3% of these jobs here, against 8.7% nationally) and payroll specialists (1.6% against 1.0%), and fewer customer support specialists (8.7% against 16.4%) and paralegals (1.5% against 2.5%). Metro areas in other states with the closest overall pay level, measured the same way, are listed below; Providence-Warwick, RI-MA is nearest, at +5.9%.
| Area | Middle gap to the US | Roles with data | Jobs in these roles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Worcester, MA | +6.2% | 17 | 32,420 |
| North Coast Region of California (Nonmetro) | +5.9% (this area) | 16 | 7,960 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | +5.9% | 17 | 66,240 |
| Salem, OR | +5.7% | 17 | 18,700 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | +5.6% | 14 | 8,510 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | +5.5% | 15 | 4,040 |
How far pay spreads inside each role
From the 10th to the 90th percentile, marketing specialists in the North Coast Region of California nonmetro area span $40,600–$132,410, the widest band (3.3×); HR assistants the narrowest, $44,470–$68,680. Offers cluster nearer the median than nationally for 13 of 16 roles, sales development representatives most ($37,980–$148,840 across the US). Budget from the median for sales development representatives, marketing specialists, accountants and 1 more role: a few well-paid jobs lift the average ($68,660 against a $50,720 median for sales development representatives).
the North Coast Region of California nonmetro area against California
Against California as a whole, the North Coast Region of California nonmetro area pays about the same or less for all 16 roles, and less for 15, most of all sales development representatives (-37.3%). It has the lowest median in California for accountants.
Other areas in California
By jobs in these roles, the North Coast Region of California nonmetro area is #19 of 28 areas in California. The table shows the areas closest to it in size, from Salinas to Merced.
| Area | Jobs in these roles | Roles with data |
|---|---|---|
| Salinas, CA | 11,130 | 17 |
| Vallejo, CA | 10,190 | 17 |
| Visalia, CA | 10,080 | 17 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | 9,830 | 17 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | 8,310 | 17 |
| North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California (Nonmetro) | 7,880 | 17 |
| Chico, CA | 6,010 | 17 |
| Napa, CA | 5,760 | 17 |
| Redding, CA | 5,630 | 16 |
| Merced, CA | 4,770 | 16 |
Questions
Which role costs the most to hire in the North Coast Region of California nonmetro area?
Of the 16 roles we track, Project Coordinator: a median of $91,210 a year, about $117,690 with benefits; the lowest is Virtual Receptionist, $43,730.
Is hiring in the North Coast Region of California nonmetro area cheaper than the US median?
For 5 of the 16 roles, yes, most of all sales development representatives (-27.5%). 9 pay more than the US median, led by virtual receptionists (+15.0%).
Sources
2 sources, with links
How these pages are built: methodology and data sources. Last updated 2026-11-12.