What is a good cost of living raise in California?
88464
Cost of living is cost of living, California or Timbuktu.  If you have more expenses then it is proper to carry them over to your clients if you were charging a legitimate and comptetitive rate in the first place.  If you can offer your services more efficently than before you may want to keep them at the same level to remain competative.
788830
Where are you located?  Some municipalities have a cap on rent increases, and others do not.  You would need to check with your particular city.\n\nI know in San Francisco, the limit is 4% per year.  Berkeley has similar restrictions too.  Other cities have no restrictions.  So, it all depends on where you live.
66305
Too much, although San Francisco has a high cost of living, so that's probably why you get so much.
850357
Depends on the state you go in.  In CA its up to almost 10K now for a good program.  It is supposed to go up in May.
994337
Yes! California is really expensive! But it is really beautiful and everyone should get to visit at least once! \n Now, living there is another story. If you get a really great job than you might be able to live there comfortably. But it all depends on where in CA you want to live. I would aviod LA. There are so many gangs and lots of drugs! \n If you plan to move there I wish you luck and hope for the best!
1008989
US Department of Labor has a nice website called the Occupational Outlook Handbook.\n\nhttp://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos161.htm\n\n"Median hourly earnings of chefs and head cooks were $14.75 in May 2004." It doesn't answer anything about California, though.
433916
You could check the Census tract figures for the area you are concerned with--I included a link to figures for San Diego. If it works, it should take you right to the page listing housing costs.
721339
Yup, it's expensive here.  But as a result, people get paid more here, too.  People who earn $50,000/year here usually get less than $40,000 in the midwest.  But they would get $60,000 in Manhattan!\n\nAnd there are many areas that are some distance from downtown LA (as much as 80 miles) where homes are much cheaper (1/3 or 1/4 the price for much bigger houses!) and work is still plentiful.\n\nI think, that the weather better in Southern California then anywhere else in the USA.  The temperature rarely drops much below freezing, and hot summers are generally easier to deal with than snowy winters so common in other parts of the US.  Our hot summers are dry, which is more comfy than the 90 degrees/90% humidity so common in the South.  If you like it cold, we've got mountains.  Like it hot, we've got deserts.\n\nSouthern Cal has a great mix of stuff.  Big city life, with plentiful jobs, culture, activity.  But also natural activity - many people have outdoor and natural hobbies - surfing and skiing is usually under 100 miles away from each other!\n\nNorthern California offers much of the same, but I'm not as familiar with it.  But it also is a great place to live, work and have fun.\n\nIt's not worth it to everyone - it's a lot more crowded than it used to be, and that makes traffic a real bear.  Immigration has torn up some areas.  But I can't see myself living anywhere else as nice.
7484
45K is a good starting salary for many occupations.  The cost of living for your area is really a factor, as well as the skills that you have.\n\nA better question might be "What is the average starting salary in my geographic area, in my field of expertise".  Not knowing your geographic area, or expertise, all we can comment on is the number.\n\nThe number 45K is high for a lot of college graduates across the country.  I know of many who start in the 20's, who don't have good grades or applicable skills.  On the other hand, if you are graduating from Medical School, and setting up practice in California, then perhaps you should be looking for 100K+!\n\nCheck with your school, to see what the average starting salaries were last year.  Most colleges track this information.  It helps employers and employees!
284033
That is the point of raising the minimum wage.  It goes up when the price of living goes up.  Doesn't life suck! lol
187561
You need to do some research to determine what the mean salary is for jobs like this.  You man not find something exact, but you should be able to get pretty close.  You may want to check with the Employment Office or other labor resources.  It really really depend upon the area in California.  In LA you would probably have to pay more than you would in Northern California.
1025294
CA is soooo expensive. It's true. The housing prices are hyperinflated....as for job opportunities....it's hard to tell without knowing what your background is. CA is also overpopulated.\nI'm a former CA girl.
594785
in CA minimum wage is 6.75 but I think they start around $7 depending on experience.\n\nAnd they try to stay competitive with other stores.
830811
California starts out with the highest pay, but compared to their cost of living it's not really that good. Do a search for "highest respiratory therapy salary" and you'll find some good sites where you can pick different parts of states and it will give you the average salary there. Also, if you are willing to travel, that's where the money is!!
1101783
California definitely has the higher cost of living.  The sales tax you pay is can be as high as 8.75%.  Here in Ohio the sales tax is usually no higher than 7%.  Gas in some parts of California is well over $3.00 a gallon.  Gas in Cincinnati yesterday was $2.69.  Housing is much more expensive in California.  My parents were wanting to retire in southern California and gave that up since they could only buy a shack for the same price their house is here in Ohio.
290926
The cost-of-living tends to increase the closer one gets to the oceans, and in urban areas. Cities bordering the ocean tend to be particularly high. New York or California would likely be at the top of such a list. \n\nYou may want to check out the cost-of-living wizard at salary.com
505125
Santa Monica is probably the most expensive, followed by San Diego. L.A is probably your best choice as the population is quite diverse and the cost of living is not as bad.