Highest paying jobs in Salinas, CA

The best paying occupations in the Salinas, CA metro area, ranked by median annual wage. Metro wage estimates are suppressed more often than state ones — BLS withholds any figure that too few local employers report — so an occupation missing here simply has no published local estimate.

Cost of living: prices here run 9.0% above the national average (2024).

Wages: BLS OEWS, May 2025

#	Occupation	MedianSalinas, CA	10th–90th percentilemiddle half shaded darker	Employed
1	Family Medicine PhysiciansDoctoral or professional degree	$410,370	$146,830 – $461,330	320
2	Physicians, All OtherDoctoral or professional degree	$384,990	$81,210 – $396,220	250
3	Chief ExecutivesBachelor's degree	$226,270	$106,800 – $443,900	220
4	Architectural and Engineering ManagersBachelor's degree	$187,730	$126,930 – $244,690	70
5	Dentists, GeneralDoctoral or professional degree	$185,040	$104,610 – $302,310	170
6	PsychiatristsDoctoral or professional degree	$178,630	$133,490 – $417,150	40
7	Natural Sciences ManagersBachelor's degree	$171,290	$114,910 – $269,310	40
8	Physician AssistantsMaster's degree	$170,180	$146,500 – $453,100	130
9	Computer and Information Systems ManagersBachelor's degree	$167,160	$114,450 – $272,210	200
10	LawyersDoctoral or professional degree	$166,940	$80,610 – $289,250	380
11	PharmacistsDoctoral or professional degree	$166,470	$127,340 – $203,360	260
12	Nurse PractitionersMaster's degree	$166,090	$135,360 – $213,530	140
13	VeterinariansDoctoral or professional degree	$163,080	$64,790 – $262,980	120
14	Education Administrators, Kindergarten through SecondaryMaster's degree	$161,590	$111,710 – $205,340	350
15	Purchasing ManagersBachelor's degree	$158,550	$101,230 – $212,200	30
16	Marketing ManagersBachelor's degree	$155,940	$85,360 – $265,670	130
17	First-Line Supervisors of Police and DetectivesHigh school diploma or equivalent	$153,930	$109,600 – $206,670	150
18	Financial ManagersBachelor's degree	$153,370	$94,950 – $257,310	450
19	Human Resources ManagersBachelor's degree	$150,390	$86,590 – $243,470	150
20	Medical and Health Services ManagersBachelor's degree	$140,610	$78,640 – $222,350	510
21	Fundraising ManagersBachelor's degree	$139,240	$87,880 – $240,050	60
22	Medical Scientists, Except EpidemiologistsDoctoral or professional degree	$138,590	$94,060 – $160,710	100
23	Software DevelopersBachelor's degree	$135,160	$83,870 – $204,020	290
24	Registered NursesBachelor's degree	$134,910	$102,300 – $176,990	3,180
25	OptometristsDoctoral or professional degree	$133,350	$107,650 – $164,210	60
26	Media and Communication Equipment Workers, All OtherHigh school diploma or equivalent	$132,930	$96,370 – $147,720	40
27	Mechanical EngineersBachelor's degree	$132,560	$69,240 – $175,200	70
28	Computer Network ArchitectsBachelor's degree	$132,480	$71,480 – $214,260	40
29	Computer Occupations, All OtherBachelor's degree	$131,730	$58,570 – $176,430	500
30	Managers, All OtherBachelor's degree	$131,050	$82,040 – $209,580	400
31	Public Relations ManagersBachelor's degree	$130,440	$84,480 – $191,720	40
32	Industrial Production ManagersBachelor's degree	$129,360	$80,100 – $207,230	160
33	Physical TherapistsDoctoral or professional degree	$127,120	$81,360 – $155,840	190
34	Environmental EngineersBachelor's degree	$126,670	$61,030 – $196,890	30
35	Electrical EngineersBachelor's degree	$126,460	$86,390 – $208,790	50
36	Urban and Regional PlannersMaster's degree	$125,300	$77,600 – $163,920	100
37	Occupational TherapistsMaster's degree	$123,180	$83,720 – $153,920	110
38	Speech-Language PathologistsMaster's degree	$122,770	$85,520 – $174,590	200
39	Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural ManagersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$122,630	$82,190 – $169,100	90
40	Dental HygienistsAssociate's degree	$122,370	$105,280 – $138,260	240
41	Civil EngineersBachelor's degree	$122,160	$75,580 – $167,060	250
42	Construction ManagersBachelor's degree	$120,430	$84,310 – $181,240	220
43	Police and Sheriff's Patrol OfficersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$118,220	$78,390 – $142,280	930
44	Soil and Plant ScientistsBachelor's degree	$115,910	$52,850 – $168,110	30
45	Teachers and Instructors, All OtherBachelor's degree	$113,360	$87,460 – $207,480	2,170
46	Special Education Teachers, All OtherBachelor's degree	$112,900	$73,860 – $129,140	200
47	Facilities ManagersBachelor's degree	$111,500	$72,160 – $175,820	200
48	Transportation, Storage, and Distribution ManagersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$110,050	$69,020 – $182,990	190
49	Correctional Officers and JailersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$109,620	$69,800 – $116,270	1,510
50	Computer Systems AnalystsBachelor's degree	$108,900	$61,030 – $163,350	200

Highest paying jobs in Salinas, CA

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