Workforce Insights: Orange County, CA

2026 This report provides a detailed overview of salary ranges, employment figures, and workforce trends for key industrial roles, offering insights into local hiring landscapes. It supports employers and HR professionals in workforce planning and salary benchmarking by highlighting regional dynamics and industry-specific data. INDUSTRIAL STAFFING Workforce Insights: Orange County, CA Salaries, Employment Trends, and Key Industry Data Low End Market Mean High End # of employees Machine Operator $22.35 $26.91 $31.65 4,612 Assembler $21.21 $25.09 $29.32 15,373 Electro-mechanical Assembler $23.14 $27.52 $32.06 6,825 Material Handler $21.38 $31.56 $28.73 33,052 Packer Shipper $19.63 $21.67 $24.83 10,660 Forklift Operator $22.12 $25.96 $30.16 5,287 CNC Operator $25.33 $30.41 $35.89 3,310 Welder $27.56 $33.03 $39.08 2,517 Manufacturing Associate/Technician $22.47 $25.83 $29.21 1,980 Maintenance Technician $25.64 $29.90 $34.31 13,217 Facilities Specialist $28.32 $32.64 $37.24 13,220 Test Technician $27.05 $32.01 $37.37 1,055 Quality Inspector $24.61 $29.25 $34.13 7,511 Production Supervisor $33.12 $39.62 $47.11 6,037 Process Engineer $41.87 $50.89 $61.22 3,218 Production Assistant $30.55 $36.37 $42.76 5,930 Service Technician $31.75 $37.42 $43.79 5,750 Production Supervisor $32.82 $39.16 $42.75 6,037 Operations Manager $55.40 $68.76 $76.48 2,777 Plant Manager $64.47 $78.97 $95.65 2,777 The salaries listed are estimates and may vary based on experience, location, and industry demand. Based on ERI data; values represent the 10th, Mean, and 90th percentiles.

● The average Orange County household spends about $77,024/year on expenses, with 36.7% going toward housing. ● The estimated “living wage” for a family of four is approximately $109,833–$114,841/year to cover basic needs. ● Housing affordability challenges remain high, and housing cost burden continues to influence wage expectations across many roles. Why this impacts salaries: High household spending and living wage benchmarks mean employers must offer more competitive pay, especially in industries where housing costs affect recruitment and retention. Cost of Living Insights SB 294 – Workplace Know Your Rights Act Notices ● Starting Feb 1, 2026, employers must provide an annual “Know Your Rights” notice to employees. ● Must cover workers’ comp, immigration protections, union/concerted activity, and rights during law enforcement interactions. ● Must be provided in the employee’s workplace communication language. ● Employees must be able to designate an emergency contact by March 30, 2026. Why that impacts salary: Adds compliance workload and accelerates onboarding/policy standardization. SB 617 – Cal-WARN Notice Updates ● Effective Jan 1, 2026, Cal-WARN notices must include expanded required details. ● Must include local workforce board coordination info and CalFresh assistance contacts. ● If coordinating services, employers must arrange them within 30 days. Why that impacts salary: Increases risk and admin demands during workforce reductions. Legislation Insights ● Advanced manufacturing in OC employs about 130,342 people, representing 13.5% of California’s advanced manufacturing jobs. ● The sector remains positive, but is projected to decline by ~6% over 5 years (≈ 8,144 jobs). ● Average earnings per advanced manufacturing job remain strong at approximately $91,177 annually, exceeding many local sectors. Why that impacts salary: Employers must offer competitive wages to attract and retain skilled talent, even with labor pool shifts due to sector contraction. Orange County Insights California Minimum Wage & Exempt Thresholds ● As of Jan 1, 2026, California’s minimum wage is $16.90/hour (up from $16.50 in 2025). ● The exempt salary threshold increases to $70,304/year (≈ $5,859/month) because exempt employees must earn at least 2x minimum wage. ● Roles below this threshold cannot legally be classified as exempt. ● Employers must decide whether to reclassify positions (nonexempt) or increase salaries to remain compliant. Why that impacts salary: A higher wage floor raises entry-level pay and creates upward pressure on pay bands—often compressing wage structures and increasing labor costs for hourly-heavy industries. Wage Insights Request A Custom Salary Guide