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Hourly Wage Index
Discover how your pay practices stack up against other regions, positions, and industries. 
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HOURLY WAGE INDEX

Let’s talk wages in Bakersfield

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$15.50

What is the minimum wage in Bakersfield?

The current minimum wage in Bakersfield, California is $15.50 per hour. This is the same as the statewide minimum wage. The minimum wage in Bakersfield has increased steadily in recent years, and is now significantly higher than the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. The minimum wage in Bakersfield is higher than the national average of $7.25 per hour. In fact, Bakersfield is one of only a few cities in the United States with a minimum wage of $15.50 per hour. The minimum wage in Bakersfield was last adjusted in January 2023, and increased by 50 cents per hour. A livable wage in Bakersfield is estimated to be $16.67 per hour for a single adult with no children.

An estimated 100,000 workers in Bakersfield are estimated to make minimum wage, representing about 10% of the workforce in Bakersfield. The lowest paying jobs in Bakersfield typically pay between $10 and $13 per hour, while the highest paying jobs typically pay over $100,000 per year. The minimum wage in Bakersfield has increased steadily over the last five years, starting at $11 per hour in 2018 and reaching $15 per hour in 2022. The minimum wage in Bakersfield being higher than the national average has helped improve the lives of low-wage workers, but more needs to be done to ensure all workers have a living wage.

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$16.67

What is the living wage in Bakersfield?

A livable wage in Bakersfield is estimated to be $16.67 per hour for a single adult with no children. This means that a worker earning $16.67 per hour would be able to afford a modest apartment, food, transportation, and other basic necessities. The minimum wage in Bakersfield is higher than the national average, and has increased steadily in recent years. This has helped to improve the lives of low-wage workers in Bakersfield, and has made it easier for them to afford basic necessities. However, there are still many workers in Bakersfield who are struggling to make ends meet. More needs to be done to ensure that all workers in Bakersfield have a living wage.

Wages aren’t everything!

While pay is one of the main factors that hourly employees consider when choosing to join (or stay at) a company, it’s not the end all be all. Research shows that advancement opportunities, supportive management, and schedule flexibility are all incredibly important as well.

Want to learn more about this trend? We dive deep into the data behind which perks and benefits matter most to hourly workers. Check out our full conversation with expert Sara Wasserteil of Cara Collective.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between gross wages and net wages?

It's important to remember that the Hourly Wage Index data above reflects gross wages, or the amount of money an employee earns before accounting for payroll deductions like taxes, benefits, or wage garnishments. Due to variability in tax rates across locations, slightly lower gross wages in a certain location might result in higher take home pay, or vice versa.

What is a good hourly wage?

This question is a difficult one to answer, as a "good hourly wage" is highly subjective according to experience, work responsibilities, cost of living, and other factors. We recommend using Hourly Wage Index data as a starting point. Once you have established a baseline for certain positions, do further research into similar businesses in your area.

Lastly, consider surveying your employees. They're the best resource to help you know what is a good hourly wage, what competitive pay looks like in your location, and how competitive wages change in your industry over time.

Offering competitive pay is one of my top priorities—what other resources do you have that might help?

We know that getting applicants to pay attention to your business can be extremely challenging, and that offering competitive pay is a huge part of that. Wages aren’t everything, however! Applicant experience is another important factor that can help set you apart from your competition. A few examples include:

  • Short, easy to understand job descriptions
  • Mobile-friendliness
  • Quick communication
  • Streamlined interview stages
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A Workstream hiring specialist can help you identify high impact ways to improve your applicant experience, and even help you determine what is a good hourly wage for your location and business.

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