Fastest growing jobs in California, 2024–34
Ranked by projected percent change in employment from 2024 to 2034 in California. Percent growth favours small occupations, so the openings column is often the more useful number — a fast-growing job with few openings is harder to enter than a flat one with many.
Where these projections come from: State projections are produced by California's own workforce agency and collected by Projections Central — the Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes projections only at the national level. Methodology varies by state, so these are not directly comparable with the national figures. Wages remain BLS OEWS.
Wages: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Projections: Projections Central, 2024–34
| # | Occupation | MedianCalifornia | 10th–90th percentilemiddle half shaded darker | Growth 2024–34 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nurse PractitionersMaster's degree | $168,520 | $120,340 – $240,830 | +52.2% |
| 2 | Taxi DriversNo formal educational credential | $39,260 | $39,050 – $39,260 | +48.0% |
| 3 | Solar Photovoltaic InstallersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $60,600 | $47,070 – $83,770 | +42.0% |
| 4 | Home Health and Personal Care AidesHigh school diploma or equivalent | $34,320 | $34,320 – $39,260 | +41.3% |
| 5 | Physical Therapist AssistantsAssociate's degree | $83,110 | $59,500 – $102,800 | +41.1% |
| 6 | Data ScientistsBachelor's degree | $141,590 | $77,480 – $224,920 | +37.1% |
| 7 | Medical and Health Services ManagersBachelor's degree | $141,480 | $72,800 – $274,660 | +34.9% |
| 8 | Ophthalmic Medical TechniciansPostsecondary nondegree award | $54,490 | $38,780 – $101,700 | +33.3% |
| 9 | Occupational Therapy AssistantsAssociate's degree | $81,770 | $65,680 – $104,990 | +32.4% |
| 10 | Marriage and Family TherapistsMaster's degree | $67,300 | $46,350 – $130,340 | +30.7% |
| 11 | Information Security AnalystsBachelor's degree | $138,570 | $66,070 – $221,000 | +29.1% |
| 12 | Counselors, All OtherMaster's degree | $48,850 | $39,140 – $99,760 | +28.1% |
| 13 | Psychiatric TechniciansPostsecondary nondegree award | $49,140 | $40,880 – $88,090 | +27.5% |
| 14 | Nurse AnesthetistsMaster's degree | $292,410 | $200,530 – $335,550 | +27.3% |
| 15 | Occupational TherapistsMaster's degree | $124,510 | $85,550 – $158,560 | +26.7% |
| 16 | Physician AssistantsMaster's degree | $165,650 | $99,380 – $225,190 | +26.7% |
| 17 | Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health CounselorsMaster's degree | $59,250 | $44,640 – $111,080 | +26.1% |
| 18 | Computer and Information Research ScientistsMaster's degree | $159,100 | $88,920 – $275,320 | +26.1% |
| 19 | Physical TherapistsDoctoral or professional degree | $124,190 | $85,580 – $163,960 | +26.0% |
| 20 | ChiropractorsDoctoral or professional degree | $75,470 | $51,990 – $179,230 | +25.6% |
| 21 | Speech-Language PathologistsMaster's degree | $118,970 | $79,750 – $160,900 | +24.0% |
| 22 | Clinical and Counseling PsychologistsDoctoral or professional degree | $116,000 | $62,900 – $188,050 | +24.0% |
| 23 | AudiologistsDoctoral or professional degree | $114,910 | $62,090 – $158,640 | +23.5% |
| 24 | Diagnostic Medical SonographersAssociate's degree | $128,530 | $62,890 – $177,780 | +23.1% |
| 25 | Medical AssistantsPostsecondary nondegree award | $49,660 | $39,290 – $77,300 | +22.7% |
| 26 | Operations Research AnalystsBachelor's degree | $102,100 | $65,510 – $168,030 | +22.5% |
| 27 | Respiratory TherapistsAssociate's degree | $104,820 | $77,010 – $145,510 | +22.2% |
| 28 | OptometristsDoctoral or professional degree | $136,300 | $99,890 – $213,710 | +22.2% |
| 29 | Massage TherapistsPostsecondary nondegree award | $45,970 | $34,320 – $89,880 | +20.9% |
| 30 | Therapists, All OtherBachelor's degree | $81,760 | $59,880 – $166,300 | +20.8% |
| 31 | Community Health WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $58,050 | $46,320 – $88,590 | +20.4% |
| 32 | Physical Therapist AidesHigh school diploma or equivalent | $38,330 | $34,690 – $60,200 | +20.3% |
| 33 | Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social WorkersMaster's degree | $79,000 | $46,450 – $147,300 | +20.1% |
| 34 | Hearing Aid SpecialistsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $80,060 | $50,770 – $97,010 | +20.0% |
| 35 | Continuous Mining Machine OperatorsNo formal educational credential | $62,790 | $56,340 – $82,250 | +20.0% |
| 36 | EpidemiologistsMaster's degree | $110,760 | $71,910 – $168,220 | +20.0% |
| 37 | Orthotists and ProsthetistsMaster's degree | $91,820 | $59,570 – $125,590 | +20.0% |
| 38 | Shuttle Drivers and ChauffeursNo formal educational credential | $44,730 | $35,240 – $61,750 | +19.9% |
| 39 | Commercial PilotsPostsecondary nondegree award | $165,590 | $63,890 – $500,170 | +19.6% |
| 40 | LogisticiansBachelor's degree | $92,890 | $57,720 – $153,220 | +19.5% |
| 41 | Healthcare Social WorkersMaster's degree | $89,660 | $54,220 – $134,880 | +19.4% |
| 42 | Social and Community Service ManagersBachelor's degree | $83,210 | $56,510 – $149,280 | +19.3% |
| 43 | Health Specialties Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree | $165,110 | $65,510 – $381,560 | +19.2% |
| 44 | Health Information Technologists and Medical RegistrarsAssociate's degree | $90,750 | $57,770 – $167,650 | +18.8% |
| 45 | AcupuncturistsMaster's degree | $75,530 | $37,810 – $186,300 | +18.6% |
| 46 | Cooks, RestaurantNo formal educational credential | $44,880 | $37,100 – $55,580 | +18.5% |
| 47 | Occupational Health and Safety TechniciansHigh school diploma or equivalent | $61,360 | $44,170 – $105,950 | +18.5% |
| 48 | Mechanical Door RepairersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $59,560 | $41,520 – $80,600 | +18.5% |
| 49 | Software DevelopersBachelor's degree | $174,410 | $105,060 – $272,670 | +18.4% |
| 50 | Magnetic Resonance Imaging TechnologistsAssociate's degree | $124,000 | $74,360 – $174,030 | +18.4% |