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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 51 | Computer and Information Research Scientists | Technology | $159K | $76.49/hr |
| 52 | Computer Network Architects | Technology | $159K | $76.38/hr |
| 53 | Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers | Engineering | $158K | $76.03/hr |
| 54 | Aerospace Engineers | Engineering | $158K | $75.78/hr |
| 55 | Psychologists, All Other | Science | $158K | $75.74/hr |
| 56 | Training and Development Managers | Management | $156K | $75.13/hr |
| 57 | Geography Teachers, Postsecondary | Education | $146K | N/A |
| 58 | Electrical Engineers | Engineering | $144K | $69.25/hr |
| 59 | Petroleum Engineers | Engineering | $144K | $69.03/hr |
| 60 | Data Scientists | Technology | $142K | $68.07/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.