Highest-paying jobs in California
Answer
Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric have the highest median pay in California, $400,150 a year, followed by neurologists ($357,080) and airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers ($353,900). The median for all jobs in California is $58,240, 10th of the 50 states and DC; adjusted for local prices it ranks 26th.
- Median salary, all jobs
- $58,240
- 10th of 51 · US $50,980
- Median hourly wage
- $28.00
- US $24.51
- Price level (US = 100)
- 110.7
- Median worth $52,601 at US prices (26th)
- Jobs
- 18,213,700
- 738 occupations published
How these lists work
Occupations with at least 500 jobs in California, ranked by median annual wage (BLS OEWS, May 2025, state estimates). Typical entry education from BLS Employment Projections 2025–35. Occupations BLS did not publish for California are not listed. Methodology
The 25 highest-paying jobs in California
| # | Occupation | Median pay | Hourly median | Jobs | US median | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric | $400,150 | $192.38 | 820 | $300,080 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 2 | Neurologists | $357,080 | $171.68 | 1,090 | $248,560 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 3 | Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $353,900 | — | 10,670 | $232,140 | Bachelor's degree |
| 4 | Psychiatrists | $353,500 | $169.95 | 5,420 | $281,870 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 5 | General Internal Medicine Physicians | $313,890 | $150.91 | 6,370 | $256,560 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 6 | Obstetricians and Gynecologists | $301,240 | $144.83 | 1,610 | $292,910 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 7 | Nurse Anesthetists | $292,410 | $140.58 | 2,230 | $236,590 | Master's degree |
| 8 | Radiologists | $270,560 | $130.08 | 690 | $420,860 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 9 | Chief Executives | $218,600 | $105.10 | 34,700 | $213,990 | Bachelor's degree |
| 10 | Computer and Information Systems Managers | $218,290 | $104.95 | 94,720 | $175,140 | Bachelor's degree |
| 11 | Pediatricians, General | $214,140 | $102.95 | 6,680 | $210,040 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 12 | Architectural and Engineering Managers | $210,280 | $101.10 | 29,630 | $171,270 | Bachelor's degree |
| 13 | Natural Sciences Managers | $210,230 | $101.07 | 14,950 | $167,220 | Bachelor's degree |
| 14 | Physicists | $207,490 | $99.75 | 5,930 | $172,250 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 15 | Nurse Midwives | $203,840 | $98.00 | 870 | $134,040 | Master's degree |
| 16 | Podiatrists | $201,300 | $96.78 | 1,000 | $160,300 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 17 | Lawyers | $195,080 | $93.79 | 95,770 | $159,670 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 18 | Marketing Managers | $193,620 | $93.09 | 54,660 | $166,790 | Bachelor's degree |
| 19 | Physicians, Pathologists | $186,300 | $89.57 | 1,790 | $312,400 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 20 | Cardiologists | $185,610 | $89.24 | 630 | $496,010 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 21 | Computer Hardware Engineers | $185,180 | $89.03 | 19,820 | $161,740 | Bachelor's degree |
| 22 | Financial Managers | $180,770 | $86.91 | 93,310 | $166,570 | Bachelor's degree |
| 23 | Materials Scientists | $177,030 | $85.11 | 1,030 | $117,790 | Bachelor's degree |
| 24 | Software Developers | $174,410 | $83.85 | 284,390 | $135,980 | Bachelor's degree |
| 25 | Nuclear Engineers | $172,400 | $82.88 | 1,070 | $133,970 | Bachelor's degree |
Highest-paying jobs in California without a degree
Typical entry education is a high school diploma, no formal credential, some college or a postsecondary certificate.
| # | Occupation | Median pay | Hourly median | Jobs | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $163,960 | $78.83 | 13,200 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 2 | Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers | $141,180 | $67.88 | 1,910 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 3 | Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $137,570 | $66.14 | 670 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 4 | First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $131,210 | $63.08 | 4,550 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 5 | Gas Plant Operators | $130,220 | $62.61 | 800 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 6 | Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers | $129,040 | $62.04 | 8,930 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 7 | Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $124,840 | $60.02 | 12,610 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 8 | Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers | $123,780 | $59.51 | 30,540 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 9 | Insulation Workers, Mechanical | $119,690 | $57.55 | 1,310 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 10 | Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $118,880 | $57.15 | 65,940 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 11 | Boilermakers | $118,150 | $56.80 | 720 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 12 | Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers | $109,140 | $52.47 | 1,650 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 13 | Power Plant Operators | $105,210 | $50.58 | 2,610 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 14 | Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $103,250 | $49.64 | 3,360 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 15 | Construction and Building Inspectors | $101,290 | $48.70 | 13,420 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Most common jobs in California
| # | Occupation | Jobs | Median pay | Hourly median | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Home Health and Personal Care Aides | 970,150 | $34,320 | $16.50 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 2 | Fast Food and Counter Workers | 449,840 | $42,280 | $20.33 | No formal educational credential |
| 3 | Retail Salespersons | 376,460 | $38,440 | $18.48 | No formal educational credential |
| 4 | Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | 355,500 | $44,710 | $21.50 | No formal educational credential |
| 5 | Registered Nurses | 338,940 | $140,270 | $67.44 | Bachelor's degree |
| 6 | Cashiers | 336,110 | $37,100 | $17.84 | No formal educational credential |
| 7 | Office Clerks, General | 311,490 | $48,460 | $23.30 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 8 | Stockers and Order Fillers | 310,870 | $42,870 | $20.61 | No formal educational credential |
| 9 | General and Operations Managers | 300,840 | $124,390 | $59.81 | Bachelor's degree |
| 10 | Software Developers | 284,390 | $174,410 | $83.85 | Bachelor's degree |
| 11 | Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | 234,240 | $41,090 | $19.75 | No formal educational credential |
| 12 | Waiters and Waitresses | 229,970 | $36,080 | $17.35 | No formal educational credential |
| 13 | Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | 205,090 | $60,230 | $28.96 | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| 14 | Security Guards | 199,480 | $43,240 | $20.79 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 15 | Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | 177,140 | $46,490 | — | Some college, no degree |
| 16 | Customer Service Representatives | 176,850 | $49,560 | $23.83 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 17 | Accountants and Auditors | 175,360 | $97,050 | $46.66 | Bachelor's degree |
| 18 | Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse | 172,260 | $35,580 | $17.11 | No formal educational credential |
| 19 | Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | 158,630 | $55,400 | $26.64 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 20 | Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel | 156,110 | $80,850 | $38.87 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Jobs concentrated in California
Concentration is the location quotient: the occupation’s share of jobs in the state divided by its share nationally. 2.0× means twice as common as in the US overall.
| # | Occupation | Concentration vs. US | Jobs | Median pay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse | 5.5× | 172,260 | $35,580 |
| 2 | Marriage and Family Therapists | 4.5× | 34,970 | $67,300 |
| 3 | Actors | 4.1× | 26,170 | — |
| 4 | Law Teachers, Postsecondary | 3.3× | 7,800 | $119,540 |
| 5 | Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes | 3.3× | 4,860 | $98,110 |
| 6 | Forest and Conservation Workers | 3.2× | 2,270 | $43,680 |
| 7 | First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers | 3.2× | 10,450 | $56,280 |
| 8 | Special Effects Artists and Animators | 3.2× | 7,410 | $130,540 |
| 9 | Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance | 3.0× | 830 | $140,870 |
| 10 | Tapers | 3.0× | 4,540 | $73,460 |
| 11 | Plasterers and Stucco Masons | 3.0× | 6,780 | $59,940 |
| 12 | Lighting Technicians | 2.8× | 2,950 | $94,070 |
What 135 careers pay in California
Click a heading to sort
| Neurologist | $357,080 | 5 | $322,507 | $248,560 | 1,090 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airline Pilot | $353,900 | 4 | $319,635 | $232,140 | 10,670 |
| Psychiatrist | $353,500 | 1 | $319,274 | $281,870 | 5,420 |
| OB-GYN | $301,240 | 25 | $272,074 | $292,910 | 1,610 |
| CRNA | $292,410 | 4 | $264,099 | $236,590 | 2,230 |
| Radiologist | $270,560 | 26 | $244,364 | $420,860 | 690 |
| Orthopedic Surgeon | $253,430 | 28 | $228,893 | $358,550 | — |
| Pediatrician | $214,140 | 24 | $193,407 | $210,040 | 6,680 |
| Nurse Midwife | $203,840 | 1 | $184,104 | $134,040 | 870 |
| Lawyer | $195,080 | 3 | $176,192 | $159,670 | 95,770 |
| Marketing Manager | $193,620 | 2 | $174,874 | $166,790 | 54,660 |
| Pathologist | $186,300 | 32 | $168,262 | $312,400 | 1,790 |
| Cardiologist | $185,610 | 23 | $167,639 | $496,010 | 630 |
| Computer Engineer | $185,180 | 1 | $167,251 | $161,740 | 19,820 |
| Software Engineer | $174,410 | 1 | $157,523 | $135,980 | 284,390 |
| HR Manager | $170,080 | 5 | $153,613 | $149,280 | 27,450 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $168,520 | 1 | $152,204 | $132,300 | 25,120 |
| Radiation Therapist | $166,450 | 1 | $150,334 | $105,310 | 1,720 |
| Dentist | $165,950 | 33 | $149,883 | $170,950 | 16,770 |
| Physician Assistant | $165,650 | 2 | $149,612 | $135,880 | 13,600 |
| Commercial Pilot | $165,590 | 4 | $149,557 | $123,220 | 4,900 |
| Pharmacist | $164,610 | 3 | $148,672 | $140,910 | 34,030 |
| Veterinarian | $163,920 | 1 | $148,049 | $130,100 | 9,170 |
| Air Traffic Controller | $160,080 | 8 | $144,581 | $148,080 | 2,290 |
| School Principal | $159,950 | 2 | $144,464 | $105,870 | 31,370 |
| Network Engineer | $158,870 | 4 | $143,488 | $134,050 | 14,870 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $157,620 | 3 | $142,359 | $134,960 | 9,170 |
| Electrical Engineer | $144,040 | 2 | $130,094 | $120,630 | 24,230 |
| Data Scientist | $141,590 | 2 | $127,881 | $120,230 | 39,310 |
| Healthcare Administrator | $141,480 | 7 | $127,782 | $123,860 | 75,090 |
| Elevator Mechanic | $141,180 | 3 | $127,511 | $109,910 | 1,910 |
| Registered Nurse | $140,270 | 1 | $126,689 | $97,550 | 338,940 |
| Labor and Delivery Nurse (RN data) | $140,270 | 1 | $126,689 | $97,550 | 338,940 |
| NICU Nurse (RN data) | $140,270 | 1 | $126,689 | $97,550 | 338,940 |
| Travel Nurse (RN data) | $140,270 | 1 | $126,689 | $97,550 | 338,940 |
| ICU Nurse (RN data) | $140,270 | 1 | $126,689 | $97,550 | 338,940 |
| Pediatric Nurse (RN data) | $140,270 | 1 | $126,689 | $97,550 | 338,940 |
| Cybersecurity Analyst | $138,570 | 3 | $125,154 | $129,180 | 15,570 |
| Optometrist | $136,300 | 22 | $123,103 | $136,570 | 6,890 |
| UX Designer | $136,110 | 1 | $122,932 | $104,000 | 27,090 |
| Construction Manager | $133,160 | 6 | $120,267 | $114,990 | 34,750 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $130,900 | 3 | $118,226 | $104,110 | 30,530 |
| Actuary | $130,510 | 13 | $117,874 | $130,000 | 1,280 |
| Financial Advisor | $130,330 | 3 | $117,711 | $105,070 | 32,200 |
| Lineman | $129,040 | 4 | $116,546 | $95,320 | 8,930 |
| Ultrasound Technician | $128,530 | 1 | $116,086 | $96,590 | 10,110 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $128,310 | 3 | $115,887 | $109,370 | 2,750 |
| School Psychologist | $127,780 | 1 | $115,408 | $95,990 | 8,340 |
| Dental Hygienist | $124,930 | 4 | $112,834 | $98,100 | 24,500 |
| Meteorologist | $124,920 | 2 | $112,825 | $99,070 | 510 |
| Detective | $124,840 | 3 | $112,753 | $93,790 | 12,610 |
| Occupational Therapist | $124,510 | 1 | $112,455 | $100,330 | 13,810 |
| Operations Manager | $124,390 | 11 | $112,346 | $105,770 | 300,840 |
| Physical Therapist | $124,190 | 1 | $112,166 | $102,760 | 26,580 |
| MRI Technician | $124,000 | 2 | $111,994 | $95,480 | 3,570 |
| Civil Engineer | $122,500 | 1 | $110,639 | $100,840 | 55,180 |
| Radiology Technician | $121,260 | 1 | $109,520 | $80,110 | 20,900 |
| Project Manager | $120,910 | 5 | $109,203 | $102,320 | 114,380 |
| Web Developer | $119,570 | 3 | $107,993 | $92,650 | 7,320 |
| Speech-language Pathologist | $118,970 | 1 | $107,451 | $97,870 | 16,930 |
| Police Officer | $118,880 | 1 | $107,370 | $76,210 | 65,940 |
| Court Reporter | $116,020 | 1 | $104,787 | $72,420 | 1,400 |
| Psychologist | $116,000 | 8 | $104,769 | $100,580 | 12,840 |
| Audiologist | $114,910 | 4 | $103,784 | $95,780 | 1,740 |
| Financial Analyst | $109,110 | 6 | $98,546 | $102,740 | 45,380 |
| Architect | $108,540 | 5 | $98,031 | $99,280 | 13,270 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $104,820 | 3 | $94,671 | $82,280 | 18,650 |
| Forensic Scientist | $102,100 | 2 | $92,215 | $72,060 | 2,800 |
| Underwater Welder (Commercial Diver data) | $101,540 | 4 | $91,709 | $72,990 | 310 |
| Business Analyst | $101,460 | 16 | $91,637 | $101,860 | 137,280 |
| High School Teacher | $101,370 | 2 | $91,555 | $72,040 | 99,230 |
| Elementary School Teacher | $99,650 | 2 | $90,002 | $63,970 | 155,160 |
| Nutritionist | $98,850 | 1 | $89,279 | $76,400 | 8,720 |
| Marine Biologist (Zoologist and Wildlife Biologist data) | $98,530 | 3 | $88,990 | $76,780 | 2,210 |
| Accountant | $97,050 | 6 | $87,654 | $83,680 | 175,360 |
| Correctional Officer | $96,370 | 1 | $87,039 | $58,940 | 37,860 |
| Claims Adjuster | $91,790 | 4 | $82,903 | $78,000 | 24,290 |
| Librarian | $89,790 | 3 | $81,096 | $68,270 | 10,180 |
| School Counselor | $86,500 | 1 | $78,125 | $64,330 | 45,140 |
| Aircraft Mechanic | $86,100 | 10 | $77,764 | $79,870 | 12,590 |
| Firefighter | $85,120 | 3 | $76,879 | $59,280 | 31,470 |
| HR Specialist | $83,500 | 6 | $75,415 | $75,940 | 104,000 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $83,110 | 1 | $75,063 | $68,380 | 9,400 |
| Flight Attendant | $82,170 | 3 | $74,214 | $63,580 | 15,840 |
| Loan Officer | $81,770 | 15 | $73,853 | $76,690 | 25,790 |
| Surgical Technician | $81,310 | 3 | $73,438 | $64,650 | 11,920 |
| Interior Designer | $80,230 | 3 | $72,462 | $67,190 | 8,500 |
| LPN | $79,750 | 6 | $72,029 | $64,400 | 82,850 |
| Crane Operator | $79,570 | 15 | $71,866 | $68,080 | 2,130 |
| IT Support Specialist | $79,570 | 2 | $71,866 | $61,860 | 74,490 |
| Athletic Trainer | $78,490 | 1 | $70,891 | $62,520 | 1,760 |
| Cardiovascular Technologist | $78,170 | 24 | $70,602 | $74,310 | 5,570 |
| Paralegal | $77,390 | 5 | $69,897 | $62,890 | 47,130 |
| Electrician | $76,160 | 15 | $68,786 | $63,190 | 73,310 |
| Insurance Agent | $76,120 | 8 | $68,750 | $62,280 | 41,160 |
| Medical Lab Technician | $76,010 | 7 | $68,651 | $62,930 | 29,210 |
| Carpenter | $75,920 | 3 | $68,569 | $60,580 | 100,750 |
| Chiropractor | $75,470 | 33 | $68,163 | $79,200 | 2,760 |
| Graphic Designer | $75,130 | 5 | $67,856 | $62,960 | 27,390 |
| Paramedic | $74,590 | 8 | $67,368 | $60,600 | 5,190 |
| Diesel Mechanic | $73,950 | 5 | $66,790 | $61,770 | 20,940 |
| TSA Officer | $73,610 | 3 | $66,483 | $66,770 | 5,410 |
| Plumber | $72,830 | 17 | $65,779 | $63,800 | 47,660 |
| HVAC Technician | $72,560 | 12 | $65,535 | $61,010 | 35,130 |
| Train Conductor | $69,950 | 20 | $63,177 | $78,000 | 1,500 |
| Marriage and Family Therapist | $67,300 | 16 | $60,784 | $66,940 | 34,970 |
| Bus Driver | $67,130 | 4 | $60,630 | $59,050 | 24,380 |
| Auto Mechanic | $64,980 | 2 | $58,689 | $50,620 | 65,420 |
| Garbage Collector | $64,890 | 4 | $58,607 | $49,690 | 13,930 |
| Chef | $64,500 | 15 | $58,255 | $62,470 | 31,670 |
| Mail Carrier | $62,090 | 4 | $56,078 | $60,550 | 32,320 |
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist | $61,810 | 5 | $55,826 | $51,140 | 18,700 |
| Sterile Processing Technician | $61,370 | 1 | $55,428 | $47,700 | 8,720 |
| Private Investigator | $61,250 | 7 | $55,320 | $51,220 | 4,190 |
| Vet Tech | $60,630 | 2 | $54,760 | $47,380 | 11,310 |
| Substitute Teacher | $60,300 | 2 | $54,462 | $41,670 | 115,660 |
| Construction Worker | $60,270 | 5 | $54,435 | $47,120 | 88,240 |
| Truck Driver | $60,230 | 19 | $54,398 | $58,640 | 205,090 |
| Mental Health Counselor | $59,250 | 30 | $53,513 | $59,350 | 75,610 |
| Welder | $58,060 | 24 | $52,439 | $53,750 | 26,060 |
| Personal Trainer | $57,990 | 5 | $52,375 | $47,160 | 43,600 |
| Real Estate Agent | $57,560 | 23 | $51,987 | $52,830 | 17,500 |
| Phlebotomist | $56,040 | 1 | $50,614 | $45,230 | 13,520 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $55,110 | 2 | $49,774 | $45,750 | 39,860 |
| Mortician | $50,750 | 26 | $45,836 | $55,010 | 2,240 |
| Dental Assistant | $50,110 | 14 | $45,258 | $48,070 | 56,220 |
| Medical Assistant | $49,660 | 6 | $44,852 | $45,690 | 117,060 |
| CNA | $47,630 | 6 | $43,018 | $42,260 | 110,060 |
| EMT | $46,380 | 16 | $41,889 | $44,470 | 21,880 |
| Massage Therapist | $45,970 | 45 | $41,519 | $58,450 | 14,600 |
| Esthetician | $38,770 | 39 | $35,016 | $45,330 | 11,360 |
| Cosmetologist | $38,660 | 9 | $34,917 | $35,790 | 27,080 |
| Barber | $38,380 | 18 | $34,664 | $38,210 | 1,390 |
| Nail Technician | $36,630 | 20 | $33,083 | $35,760 | 39,210 |
| Bartender | $36,220 | 20 | $32,713 | $34,340 | 71,470 |
BLS OEWS, May 2025, state estimates; adjusted with BEA regional price parities (2024). Rank among states: 1 = highest median of the states with published data.