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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 71 | Art Directors | Arts & Media | $138K | $66.24/hr |
| 72 | Genetic Counselors | Healthcare | $138K | $66.18/hr |
| 73 | Power Distributors and Dispatchers | Production & Manufacturing | $138K | $66.14/hr |
| 74 | Economics Teachers, Postsecondary | Education | $137K | N/A |
| 75 | Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary | Education | $137K | N/A |
| 76 | Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | Science | $137K | $65.86/hr |
| 77 | Optometrists | Healthcare | $136K | $65.53/hr |
| 78 | Web and Digital Interface Designers | Technology | $136K | $65.44/hr |
| 79 | Statisticians | Technology | $136K | $65.36/hr |
| 80 | Fundraising Managers | Management | $136K | $65.32/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.