Jobs that pay the biggest premium in California
Each occupation's median wage in California compared against the national median for the same occupation. Unlike a cost-of-living adjustment — which scales every job in a state by the same constant and so cannot change their order — this genuinely re-ranks, and it shows where California pays a real premium. Limited to occupations with at least 1,000 workers in the state.
Wages: BLS OEWS, May 2025
| # | Occupation | MedianCalifornia | 10th–90th percentilemiddle half shaded darker | vs. national |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Insulation Workers, MechanicalHigh school diploma or equivalent | $119,690 | $57,700 – $165,540 | +105.2% |
| 2 | Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree | $139,720 | $68,960 – $259,890 | +82.4% |
| 3 | Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All OtherDoctoral or professional degree | $132,920 | $63,850 – $219,230 | +82.1% |
| 4 | Communications Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree | $135,000 | $78,660 – $218,880 | +71.8% |
| 5 | First-Line Supervisors of Correctional OfficersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $131,210 | $108,830 – $155,600 | +68.3% |
| 6 | Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language InstructorsBachelor's degree | $102,030 | $55,930 – $131,510 | +65.8% |
| 7 | English Language and Literature Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree | $130,490 | $62,360 – $216,190 | +65.7% |
| 8 | Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree | $127,780 | $59,970 – $210,140 | +65.4% |
| 9 | Mathematical Science Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree | $130,680 | $77,570 – $226,560 | +63.5% |
| 10 | Correctional Officers and JailersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $96,370 | $63,380 – $114,730 | +63.5% |
| 11 | Nuclear Medicine TechnologistsAssociate's degree | $162,380 | $122,760 – $200,990 | +60.2% |
| 12 | Court Reporters and Simultaneous CaptionersPostsecondary nondegree award | $116,020 | $55,280 – $142,930 | +60.2% |
| 13 | Recreational TherapistsBachelor's degree | $98,170 | $60,940 – $115,370 | +58.4% |
| 14 | Radiation TherapistsAssociate's degree | $166,450 | $130,150 – $208,100 | +58.1% |
| 15 | Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment SpecialistsBachelor's degree | $103,640 | $64,820 – $140,950 | +56.4% |
| 16 | Police and Sheriff's Patrol OfficersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $118,880 | $76,300 – $153,190 | +56.0% |
| 17 | Elementary School Teachers, Except Special EducationBachelor's degree | $99,650 | $61,940 – $127,070 | +55.8% |
| 18 | Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment OperatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $83,130 | $56,980 – $130,120 | +55.8% |
| 19 | PipelayersNo formal educational credential | $76,180 | $50,650 – $108,790 | +55.5% |
| 20 | First-Line Supervisors of Police and DetectivesHigh school diploma or equivalent | $163,960 | $121,720 – $204,500 | +54.6% |
| 21 | Health Specialties Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree | $165,110 | $65,510 – $381,560 | +53.9% |
| 22 | Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical EducationBachelor's degree | $98,950 | $62,410 – $129,500 | +53.7% |
| 23 | Biological Science Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree | $129,150 | $75,280 – $250,700 | +52.6% |
| 24 | Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight EngineersBachelor's degree | $353,900 | $179,270 – $427,660 | +52.5% |
| 25 | Special Education Teachers, Middle SchoolBachelor's degree | $101,530 | $68,110 – $127,720 | +52.0% |
| 26 | History Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree | $127,170 | $62,690 – $217,700 | +51.7% |
| 27 | Radiologic Technologists and TechniciansAssociate's degree | $121,260 | $70,210 – $165,460 | +51.4% |
| 28 | Education Administrators, Kindergarten through SecondaryMaster's degree | $159,950 | $103,250 – $202,380 | +51.1% |
| 29 | Public Safety TelecommunicatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $80,120 | $49,350 – $108,650 | +51.1% |
| 30 | Materials ScientistsBachelor's degree | $177,030 | $96,050 – $300,330 | +50.3% |
| 31 | Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary SchoolBachelor's degree | $97,170 | $63,180 – $123,590 | +49.2% |
| 32 | Education Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree | $111,850 | $59,620 – $159,270 | +48.4% |
| 33 | Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment OperatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $87,160 | $52,760 – $132,210 | +45.6% |
| 34 | Substitute Teachers, Short-TermBachelor's degree | $60,300 | $39,040 – $78,670 | +44.7% |
| 35 | Surveying and Mapping TechniciansHigh school diploma or equivalent | $78,110 | $48,000 – $119,270 | +44.0% |
| 36 | Registered NursesBachelor's degree | $140,270 | $101,260 – $213,320 | +43.8% |
| 37 | NeurologistsDoctoral or professional degree | $357,080 | $104,320 – $357,080 | +43.7% |
| 38 | FirefightersPostsecondary nondegree award | $85,120 | $52,390 – $136,150 | +43.6% |
| 39 | Producers and DirectorsBachelor's degree | $129,790 | $63,570 – $306,850 | +43.6% |
| 40 | Costume AttendantsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $72,030 | $38,190 – $127,180 | +42.9% |
| 41 | Camera Operators, Television, Video, and FilmBachelor's degree | $106,900 | $53,910 – $154,240 | +42.6% |
| 42 | Chemistry Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree | $132,960 | $78,450 – $278,510 | +42.6% |
| 43 | Psychologists, All OtherMaster's degree | $157,540 | $45,150 – $198,950 | +42.1% |
| 44 | Forensic Science TechniciansBachelor's degree | $102,100 | $64,650 – $148,090 | +41.7% |
| 45 | Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical EducationBachelor's degree | $101,370 | $64,600 – $132,600 | +40.7% |
| 46 | Set and Exhibit DesignersBachelor's degree | $105,030 | $47,400 – $162,820 | +39.6% |
| 47 | SurveyorsBachelor's degree | $105,330 | $59,310 – $160,430 | +39.6% |
| 48 | Media and Communication Workers, All OtherHigh school diploma or equivalent | $102,630 | $44,140 – $170,410 | +39.4% |
| 49 | Emergency Management DirectorsBachelor's degree | $129,910 | $90,130 – $199,020 | +39.2% |
| 50 | Physics Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree | $139,420 | $80,060 – $292,150 | +39.0% |