Immigrant workers form the foundation of the Central Coast’s agricultural, hospitality, and service economies. Despite their central role, they are paid much less than U.S.-born workers. In 2021, immigrants across the region earned considerably less than U.S.-born workers doing comparable work. In San Luis Obispo County, U.S.-born workers earned a median of $29 per hour compared to $18 per hour for immigrants. In Santa Barbara and Ventura counties, U.S.-born workers earned $30 per hour while immigrants earned $17 and $20 per hour.

Legal status creates a wage hierarchy within the immigrant workforce. Undocumented workers earned the least at $13 to $14 per hour across all three counties in 2021. Lawful permanent residents earned $18 to $19 per hour. Only naturalized citizens approached wage parity, particularly in Ventura County, where they earned $27 per hour, just $3 less than U.S.-born workers. Undocumented workers earn the least because they have the fewest legal protections. 

Insights & Analyses: Central Coast

• Immigrant workers have lower wages than average across the three counties. 
• Median hourly wage for immigrant workers was $18 per hour, ten dollars less than average for all workers in San Luis Obispo ($28 per hour).
• In Santa Barbara County, the median wage was $25 per hour, however, immigrant workers made $17 per hour on average, with undocumented immigrants making only $13 per hour. 
• Undocumented immigrants in Ventura County earn $13 less per hour than average ($14 per hour compared to $27 per hour).