Aquatic Biology Degree in Salinas, CA — Salary & ROI 2026
Aquatic Biology degree analysis for Salinas, CA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$59K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$86K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
4.8 yrs
in Salinas
Cost of Living
114
index (100 = avg)
Aquatic Biology in Salinas, CA Overview
Salinas, California (pop. 163,542) has 11 colleges offering Aquatic Biology programs. The local cost of living index of 114 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $1,437/month. Aquatic Biology has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Ecology and Water Quality skills. The adjusted starting salary in Salinas is approximately $59,280.
Category
Science
Local Colleges
11
Public Tuition
$7,143/yr
Private Tuition
$45,859/yr
Room & Board
$15,993/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$9,003/yr
Unemployment
4.3%
Graduation Rate
69%
Aquatic Biology Salary in Salinas (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Salinas's cost of living index of 114 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Aquatic Biology salary: $52,000 starting, $75,000 mid-career, $100,000 senior level.Salinas adjustment factor: 1.14x based on the local cost of living index.
Aquatic Biology ROI Calculator for Salinas
Estimate your return on investment for a Aquatic Biology degree using local Salinas tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $7,143 | Private avg: $45,859
Salinas avg aid: $9,003/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$92,544
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$19,380
vs HS diploma in Salinas
ROI Payback Period
4.8 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Salinas
$135,456
Lifetime earnings premium ($228,000) minus total education cost ($92,544)
Student Loan Payoff for Aquatic Biology in Salinas
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Salinas for Aquatic Biology
California State University, Monterey Bay
public
$7,143/yr
$28,572 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Hartnell College
$1,540/yr
Top Employers for Aquatic Biology in Salinas
Salinas offers opportunities in Tech companies, Research labs, Government agencies for Aquatic Biology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Salinas Hiring Sectors for Science
Tech companies
Research labs
Government agencies
Startups
Consulting firms
Common Aquatic Biology Job Titles
Aquatic Biology in Nearby California Cities
Los Angeles, CA
$73K starting · COL 141
69 colleges
San Diego, CA
$73K starting · COL 140
68 colleges
San Jose, CA
$67K starting · COL 129
95 colleges
San Francisco, CA
$59K starting · COL 114
22 colleges
Fresno, CA
$61K starting · COL 118
37 colleges
Sacramento, CA
$58K starting · COL 112
38 colleges
Long Beach, CA
$60K starting · COL 116
14 colleges
Oakland, CA
$69K starting · COL 132
13 colleges
Other Science Majors in Salinas
Aquatic Biology Degree in Salinas — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Aquatic Biology ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Salinas.