California Salary Data
Salary comparisons across 3 metropolitan areas in California. Prices in California were 10.7% above the national level in 2024 (BEA regional price parity 110.7).
Metro Areas in California
| Metro Area | Price Level (US = 100) | vs National Level |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | 115.6 | +15.6% |
| Los Angeles, CA | 113.6 | +13.6% |
| San Diego, CA | 111.9 | +11.9% |
| California (statewide) | 110.7 | +10.7% |
Top Paying Occupations in California
| Occupation | CA Median | National Median | vs National | Top Metro Covered |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lawyer | $195,080 | $159,670 | +$35,410 | San Francisco, CA |
| Software Developer | $174,410 | $135,980 | +$38,430 | San Francisco, CA |
| Registered Nurse | $140,270 | $97,550 | +$42,720 | San Francisco, CA |
| Financial Analyst | $109,110 | $102,740 | +$6,370 | San Francisco, CA |
| Electrician | $76,160 | $63,190 | +$12,970 | San Francisco, CA |
Salary by City — California
4Wages and Prices in California
This dataset covers 3 metropolitan areas in California: San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego. BEA's regional price parities for them run from 111.9 to 115.6 (United States = 100), and the statewide figure is 110.7.
Of the occupations featured here, Lawyer has the highest statewide median at $195,080; among the metro areas covered, its highest median is $212,500 in San Francisco, CA.
To compare a wage across areas, divide it by the area's regional price parity and multiply by 100. That restates it at national-average prices; it covers prices only, not taxes. For a specific role, browse all occupations and drill into each one to see side-by-side city differences within California.
Statewide median salary by occupation in California
State-level BLS OEWS May 2025 estimates (all metro and non-metro areas combined), highest median first. Each row links to the full state page for that occupation.
| Occupation | Median | 75th pct | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician | $281,590 | $340,730 | 25,530 |
| Lawyer | $195,080 | $277,140 | 95,770 |
| Marketing Manager | $193,620 | $271,360 | 54,660 |
| Software Developer | $174,410 | $216,670 | 284,390 |
| HR Manager | $170,080 | $224,990 | 27,450 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $168,520 | $209,350 | 25,120 |
| Pharmacist | $164,610 | $197,860 | 34,030 |
| Network Engineer | $158,870 | $197,100 | 14,870 |
| Data Scientist | $141,590 | $186,820 | 39,310 |
| Machine Learning Engineer | $141,590 | $186,820 | 39,310 |
| Registered Nurse | $140,270 | $173,170 | 338,940 |
| Cybersecurity Analyst | $138,570 | $177,890 | 15,570 |
| UX Designer | $136,110 | $191,960 | 27,090 |
| Sales Manager | $134,910 | $206,710 | 112,440 |
| Cloud Architect | $134,440 | $179,730 | 80,150 |
| Construction Manager | $133,160 | $168,070 | 34,750 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $130,900 | $166,580 | 30,530 |
| Actuary | $130,510 | $188,390 | 1,280 |
| Financial Advisor | $130,330 | $195,420 | 32,200 |
| Dental Hygienist | $124,930 | $132,120 | 24,500 |
| Occupational Therapist | $124,510 | $136,380 | 13,810 |
| Operations Manager | $124,390 | $186,230 | 300,840 |
| Physical Therapist | $124,190 | $141,260 | 26,580 |
| Supply Chain Manager | $123,780 | $166,100 | 30,540 |
| Civil Engineer | $122,500 | $149,350 | 55,180 |
| Radiologic Technologist | $121,260 | $137,770 | 20,900 |
| Project Manager | $120,910 | $155,850 | 114,380 |
| Database Administrator | $113,060 | $154,360 | 7,240 |
| Financial Analyst | $109,110 | $146,840 | 45,380 |
| DevOps Engineer | $106,440 | $134,190 | 26,170 |
| Technical Writer | $104,000 | $141,280 | 5,280 |
| Business Analyst | $101,460 | $134,750 | 137,280 |
| College Professor | $100,690 | $141,520 | 37,770 |
| Elementary School Teacher | $99,650 | $119,970 | 155,160 |
| Accountant | $97,050 | $125,850 | 175,360 |
| Tax Manager | $97,050 | $125,850 | 175,360 |
| School Counselor | $86,500 | $119,790 | 45,140 |
| Investment Banker | $79,730 | $127,930 | 55,860 |
| Paralegal | $77,390 | $98,430 | 47,130 |
| Electrician | $76,160 | $103,000 | 73,310 |
| Plumber | $72,830 | $100,200 | 47,660 |
| HVAC Technician | $72,560 | $90,780 | 35,130 |
| Welder | $58,060 | $70,400 | 26,060 |
| Medical Assistant | $49,660 | $61,870 | 117,060 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the highest paying jobs in California?
Among the occupations featured on this page, Lawyer has the highest statewide median in California at $195,080 per year, followed by Software Developer at $174,410. Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
How do prices in California compare with the rest of the country?
The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis puts the regional price parity for California at 110.7 for 2024, where the United States is 100. That is 10.7% above the national level. For the metro areas covered here: San Francisco, CA 115.6, Los Angeles, CA 113.6, San Diego, CA 111.9.
Which city in California has the best salaries?
Among the 3 California metro areas covered here, San Francisco, CA has the highest median for Lawyers at $212,500 per year (BLS OEWS May 2025). Rankings differ by occupation; the city table on this page shows each one.