Best Online Healthcare Programs in Salinas, CA (2026)
Salinas, California has a population of about 161,993. The city’s median household income is $89,150 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 15.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited healthcare programs within 100 miles of Salinas, with tuition ranging from $1,404 to $12,050 per year. In the Salinas, CA metro area, the top-earning healthcare-related role is Medical and Health Services Manager at a median $131,470 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Healthcare Schools to Salinas
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer healthcare programs. Distances are calculated from Salinas city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Coast College | Salinas, CA | 1.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| CET-Salinas | Salinas, CA | 1.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Hartnell College | Salinas, CA | 2.3 mi | $1,404 - $12,050 | – |
| Monterey Peninsula College | Monterey, CA | 15.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| CET-Watsonville | Watsonville, CA | 18.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all California schools on the California healthcare page.
Healthcare Wages Near Salinas
Salinas is part of the Salinas, CA metro area (BLS area code 41500). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to California statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical and Health Services Manager | $131,470 | Salinas, CA | $120,615 |
| Health Information Technologist or Medical Registrar | $95,340 | CA statewide | $87,468 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $50,640 | Salinas, CA | $46,459 |
| Medical Secretary or Administrative Assistant | $50,430 | Salinas, CA | $46,266 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $96,840 | Salinas, CA | $88,844 |
| Epidemiologist | $100,410 | CA statewide | $92,119 |
Source: BLS, May 2024 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes wage data at the metro (MSA) and state level – not by individual city.
Salinas at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 161,993 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $89,150 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 15.5% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 109.0 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Healthcare-related employment in Monterey County | 20,480 workers, 6,384 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Salinas-Area Cities With Healthcare Programs
- Marina, CA – 8.8 mi away (21,688 pop)
- Seaside, CA – 11.3 mi away (118,670 pop)
- Monterey, CA – 15.3 mi away (28,454 pop)
- Hollister, CA – 17.4 mi away (45,496 pop)
- Watsonville, CA – 17.8 mi away (77,266 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited healthcare programs are near Salinas, CA?
Our directory lists 5 healthcare programs within 100 miles of Salinas. The closest is Central Coast College in Salinas, CA (1.8 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is CET-Watsonville (18.5 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying healthcare roles near Salinas?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying healthcare-related roles near Salinas are: Medical and Health Services Manager ($131,470), Epidemiologist ($100,410), Healthcare Social Worker ($96,840). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with California statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Marina instead of Salinas?
Marina, CA is 8.8 miles from Salinas and has its own set of local healthcare programs – see the city’s page. For online programs, distance matters less; for hybrid or in-person formats, comparing both can help.
Is Salinas an affordable place to study healthcare?
Salinas’s median household income of $89,150 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Salinas while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and California public universities often offer reduced in-state online tuition.
How do I verify a program is accredited?
Confirm institutional accreditation via the U.S. Department of Education database (U.S. Dept. of Education database), and check for any program-specific accreditation listed by the school.
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