Labor statistics show average hourly pay increases in Bakersfield

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — Labor statistics have been released for Bakersfield and it shows that the average hourly wage has increased across all occupations.

In 2022, the average hourly wage in Bakersfield/Kern County was $27. The 2023 annual report shows it’s now closer to $29.

Here are some occupations in which the average wage increased:

• Over 4% for business and finance.
• A little over 1% for community and social service.
• 9% for food prep and serving.
• Just under 4% for construction and extraction.
• The biggest increase is 6.8% for transportation and material.

We went to Valley Plaza Mall to interview some workers about their wage increase.

“Hourly right here at this establishment is $16 an hour, but I definitely do have tips on the backend so I make my salary in tips, then I get my salary as well,” said Darien Bobe, a bar back at a restaurant in Valley Plaza.

Bobe was glad to see the average increase for food workers go up to $17 an hour, but also feared that cost of living is going up. The report also shows some employment numbers increase for the year 2023, while one occupation had a decrease. Transportation employment dropped a quarter of a percent, even thought the wages increased for that year.

We talked with Nery Artiga, a business development manager for the employment agency Volt, who blamed the drop of employment on the gas prices.

“It could be the gas prices, I know California is implementing some taxes on the gas and we’re all struggling,” said Artiga. “They’re trying to find some way to alleviate some costs or just not have that burden at all.”

If you want to check out your occupations average salary or hourly wage, the data is linked here .

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