Top Paying Jobs in California
California has 100 tracked occupation categories totaling 2,168,100 jobs. The highest-paying occupations include Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologists ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900). The cost of living index is 106.14 (national average = 100). Median 2-bedroom rent is $2,471/month.
State-level averages. Salaries, rent, and cost of living vary significantly between metros. For more accurate data, select a metro area from the list below or browse all metros.
Highest paying careers in California
| Rank | Occupation | Category | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 91 | First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | Public Safety | $131K | $63.08/hr |
| 92 | Mechanical Engineers | Engineering | $131K | $62.94/hr |
| 93 | Engineers, All Other | Engineering | $131K | $62.91/hr |
| 94 | Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary | Education | $131K | N/A |
| 95 | Physical Scientists, All Other | Science | $131K | $62.79/hr |
| 96 | Special Effects Artists and Animators | Arts & Media | $131K | $62.76/hr |
| 97 | Actuaries | Technology | $131K | $62.75/hr |
| 98 | English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary | Education | $130K | N/A |
| 99 | Environmental Engineers | Engineering | $130K | $62.7/hr |
| 100 | Personal Financial Advisors | Business & Finance | $130K | $62.66/hr |
Affordability snapshot: California
These are statewide averages. Costs vary widely between metros, click into a specific city for precise numbers.
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Metro areas in California
Click a metro for detailed salary, rent, and cost-of-living data specific to that area.