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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 61 | Medical and Health Services Managers | Management | $141K | $68.02/hr |
| 62 | Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers | Construction & Trades | $141K | $67.88/hr |
| 63 | Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance | Personal Care | $141K | $67.73/hr |
| 64 | Medical Dosimetrists | Healthcare | $140K | $67.49/hr |
| 65 | Registered Nurses | Healthcare | $140K | $67.44/hr |
| 66 | Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary | Education | $140K | N/A |
| 67 | Biochemists and Biophysicists | Science | $140K | $67.11/hr |
| 68 | Physics Teachers, Postsecondary | Education | $139K | N/A |
| 69 | Sales Engineers | Sales | $139K | $66.9/hr |
| 70 | Information Security Analysts | Technology | $139K | $66.62/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.