Highest paying jobs in California

Every occupation below is ranked by its median annual wage in California. The percentile range matters more than the median on its own: it shows what the bottom and top of each field actually earn, which a single average hides.

Wages: BLS OEWS, May 2025

#	Occupation	MedianCalifornia	10th–90th percentilemiddle half shaded darker	Employed
1	Ophthalmologists, Except PediatricDoctoral or professional degree	$400,150	$99,040 – $499,330	820
2	NeurologistsDoctoral or professional degree	$357,080	$104,320 – $357,080	1,090
3	Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight EngineersBachelor's degree	$353,900	$179,270 – $427,660	10,670
4	PsychiatristsDoctoral or professional degree	$353,500	$113,990 – $496,230	5,420
5	General Internal Medicine PhysiciansDoctoral or professional degree	$313,890	$74,180 – $441,710	6,370
6	Obstetricians and GynecologistsDoctoral or professional degree	$301,240	$103,330 – $401,440	1,610
7	Nurse AnesthetistsMaster's degree	$292,410	$200,530 – $335,550	2,230
8	Physicians, All OtherDoctoral or professional degree	$281,590	$80,590 – $431,980	25,530
9	RadiologistsDoctoral or professional degree	$270,560	$96,610 – $499,880	690
10	Orthopedic Surgeons, Except PediatricDoctoral or professional degree	$253,430	$80,660 – $457,010	—
11	Family Medicine PhysiciansDoctoral or professional degree	$252,010	$74,510 – $475,480	—
12	Dentists, All Other SpecialistsDoctoral or professional degree	$230,730	$89,250 – $313,440	340
13	Chief ExecutivesBachelor's degree	$218,600	$85,790 – $486,830	34,700
14	Computer and Information Systems ManagersBachelor's degree	$218,290	$129,970 – $325,970	94,720
15	Pediatricians, GeneralDoctoral or professional degree	$214,140	$102,600 – $372,460	6,680
16	Architectural and Engineering ManagersBachelor's degree	$210,280	$137,900 – $296,130	29,630
17	Natural Sciences ManagersBachelor's degree	$210,230	$130,730 – $330,050	14,950
18	PhysicistsDoctoral or professional degree	$207,490	$125,390 – $296,740	5,930
19	Nurse MidwivesMaster's degree	$203,840	$140,970 – $227,590	870
20	PodiatristsDoctoral or professional degree	$201,300	$85,480 – $362,110	1,000
21	LawyersDoctoral or professional degree	$195,080	$97,950 – $369,180	95,770
22	Marketing ManagersBachelor's degree	$193,620	$104,370 – $326,400	54,660
23	Physicians, PathologistsDoctoral or professional degree	$186,300	$105,750 – $387,760	1,790
24	CardiologistsDoctoral or professional degree	$185,610	$109,310 – $532,070	630
25	Computer Hardware EngineersBachelor's degree	$185,180	$126,590 – $281,210	19,820
26	Financial ManagersBachelor's degree	$180,770	$101,820 – $341,670	93,310
27	Mathematical Science Occupations, All OtherBachelor's degree	$180,500	$50,350 – $212,940	120
28	Materials ScientistsBachelor's degree	$177,030	$96,050 – $300,330	1,030
29	Managers, All OtherBachelor's degree	$174,560	$98,280 – $303,680	99,580
30	Software DevelopersBachelor's degree	$174,410	$105,060 – $272,670	284,390
31	Nuclear EngineersBachelor's degree	$172,400	$109,990 – $207,740	1,070
32	Database ArchitectsBachelor's degree	$170,160	$101,200 – $227,900	6,210
33	Human Resources ManagersBachelor's degree	$170,080	$96,430 – $307,600	27,450
34	Nurse PractitionersMaster's degree	$168,520	$120,340 – $240,830	25,120
35	Public Relations ManagersBachelor's degree	$167,980	$97,800 – $300,800	9,400
36	Advertising and Promotions ManagersBachelor's degree	$167,230	$72,800 – $321,360	3,080
37	Compensation and Benefits ManagersBachelor's degree	$166,730	$105,840 – $289,910	2,970
38	Radiation TherapistsAssociate's degree	$166,450	$130,150 – $208,100	1,720
39	Dentists, GeneralDoctoral or professional degree	$165,950	$74,510 – $272,730	16,770
40	Physician AssistantsMaster's degree	$165,650	$99,380 – $225,190	13,600
41	Commercial PilotsPostsecondary nondegree award	$165,590	$63,890 – $500,170	4,900
42	Health Specialties Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree	$165,110	$65,510 – $381,560	17,350
43	PharmacistsDoctoral or professional degree	$164,610	$90,560 – $213,820	34,030
44	First-Line Supervisors of Police and DetectivesHigh school diploma or equivalent	$163,960	$121,720 – $204,500	13,200
45	VeterinariansDoctoral or professional degree	$163,920	$74,850 – $286,330	9,170
46	Nuclear Medicine TechnologistsAssociate's degree	$162,380	$122,760 – $200,990	1,500
47	Electronics Engineers, Except ComputerBachelor's degree	$160,520	$97,140 – $225,400	20,830
48	Air Traffic ControllersAssociate's degree	$160,080	$80,960 – $225,680	2,290
49	Education Administrators, Kindergarten through SecondaryMaster's degree	$159,950	$103,250 – $202,380	31,370
50	Purchasing ManagersBachelor's degree	$159,830	$99,560 – $241,340	7,470

Highest paying jobs in California

More for California

The same list elsewhere