Salinas is the capital of the Salinas Valley, which has long been known as "The Salad Bowl of the World" for its fresh produce, and which is also renowned for its flowers and vineyards. More recently, the region is emerging as a world hub of agricultural technology, or agtech.

Although agriculture is the foundation of the local economy, more than 100 manufacturing firms call Salinas home. Some of the largest employers in the area include: Dole Fresh Vegetable, the County of Monterey, Household Credit Services, and Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital.