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California is one of the most expensive states to live in, but it’s also home to some of the highest-paying careers in the country. Whether you’re entering the workforce or exploring a career pivot, knowing which roles offer top earnings can help you make smarter choices.

In this guide, we’ve ranked the 30 highest-paying careers in California using official data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), released May 15, 2026 (May 2025 reference period). From healthcare and engineering to executive leadership and tech, these jobs offer six-figure salaries and long-term opportunity.

Related Reading: 25 Highest-Paying Trade Jobs in the U.S.

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What We Considered

This list highlights careers that meet the following criteria:

• Listed in the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for California
• Ranked by annual mean wage (the average across all workers in an occupation), not median
• Long-term, full-time professions (not gig work or temporary positions)
• Representative of industries with consistent labor demand

A note on this year’s data: Because of the lapse in federal appropriations from October 1 through November 12, 2025, additional collection and processing time were required for the May 2025 OEWS survey. BLS reported response rates remained within the normal range and no methodology changes were necessary.

Related Reading: 30 Highest-Paying Jobs in Arizona

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Top 30 Highest-Paying Careers in California (By Average Salary)

These careers are ranked by their average annual earnings in California, based on official BLS data. (Note: “mean wage” is the average income across all workers in an occupation. Actual salaries can vary by region, experience, employer, and bonus or overtime opportunities. For physician and surgeon specialties, sample sizes can be small and wage estimates have wider margins of error than for larger occupations.)

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1. Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric

Average Salary (CA): $347,690
Pathway: Medical degree; ophthalmology residency
What They Do: Treat diseases, injuries, and disorders of the eyes through surgical and medical methods.

BLS Handbook: Physicians and Surgeons

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2. Psychiatrists

Average Salary (CA): $315,380
Pathway: Medical degree; psychiatry residency
What They Do: Diagnose, treat, and help prevent mental health disorders.

BLS Handbook: Physicians and Surgeons

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3. Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers

Average Salary (CA): $310,190
Pathway: Bachelor’s degree; FAA licensure and flight training
What They Do: Pilot and navigate aircraft, ensuring passenger and crew safety.

BLS Handbook: Airline and Commercial Pilots

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4. Radiologists

Average Salary (CA): $309,990
Pathway: Medical degree; radiology residency
What They Do: Interpret medical images to diagnose and treat diseases and injuries.

BLS Handbook: Physicians and Surgeons

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5. Neurologists

Average Salary (CA): $306,860
Pathway: Medical degree; neurology residency
What They Do: Diagnose and treat disorders of the brain, spinal cord, and nervous system.

BLS Handbook: Physicians and Surgeons

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6. Cardiologists

Average Salary (CA): $296,940
Pathway: Medical degree; internal medicine residency followed by cardiology fellowship
What They Do: Diagnose and treat diseases of the heart and blood vessels.

BLS Handbook: Physicians and Surgeons

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7. Nurse Anesthetists

Average Salary (CA): $283,780
Pathway: Master’s or DNP; CRNA certification
What They Do: Administer anesthesia and monitor patients during surgery and other medical procedures.

BLS Handbook: Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners

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8. General Internal Medicine Physicians

Average Salary (CA): $273,270
Pathway: Medical degree; internal medicine residency
What They Do: Provide long-term comprehensive care to adults.

BLS Handbook: Physicians and Surgeons

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9. Chief Executives

Average Salary (CA): $272,920
Pathway: Bachelor’s or master’s degree; significant leadership experience
What They Do: Plan and coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management.

BLS Handbook: Top Executives

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10. Obstetricians and Gynecologists

Average Salary (CA): $272,520
Pathway: Medical degree; OB/GYN residency
What They Do: Provide medical care related to pregnancy and reproductive health.

BLS Handbook: Physicians and Surgeons

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11. Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric

Average Salary (CA): $258,550
Pathway: Medical degree; orthopedic surgery residency
What They Do: Treat musculoskeletal conditions through surgical and non-surgical means.

BLS Handbook: Physicians and Surgeons

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12. Surgeons, All Other

Average Salary (CA): $255,620
Pathway: Medical degree; specialized surgical training
What They Do: Perform surgeries in specialized fields not otherwise categorized.

BLS Handbook: Physicians and Surgeons

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13. Family Medicine Physicians

Average Salary (CA): $252,930
Pathway: Medical degree; family medicine residency
What They Do: Provide primary care to individuals and families.

BLS Handbook: Physicians and Surgeons

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14. Computer and Information Systems Managers

Average Salary (CA): $238,440
Pathway: Bachelor’s or master’s in IT or related field
What They Do: Plan, coordinate, and direct computer-related activities in organizations.

BLS Handbook: Computer and Information Systems Managers

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15. Lawyers

Average Salary (CA): $230,040
Pathway: Juris Doctor (JD); state bar exam
What They Do: Represent clients in legal proceedings and advise on legal transactions.

BLS Handbook: Lawyers

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16. Natural Sciences Managers

Average Salary (CA): $223,850
Pathway: Bachelor’s or master’s in a science discipline; significant experience
What They Do: Supervise the work of scientists in research and development.

BLS Handbook: Natural Sciences Managers

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17. Pediatricians, General

Average Salary (CA): $221,480
Pathway: Medical degree; pediatric residency
What They Do: Care for children’s physical, behavioral, and mental development.

BLS Handbook: Physicians and Surgeons

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18. Physicians, Pathologists

Average Salary (CA): $221,080
Pathway: Medical degree; pathology residency
What They Do: Diagnose diseases by examining body fluids and tissues.

BLS Handbook: Physicians and Surgeons

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19. Dentists, All Other Specialists

Average Salary (CA): $218,050
Pathway: Dental degree; specialty residency
What They Do: Provide specialized dental care in fields such as endodontics, periodontics, or pediatric dentistry.

BLS Handbook: Dentists

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20. Architectural and Engineering Managers

Average Salary (CA): $213,110
Pathway: Bachelor’s in engineering or architecture; significant work experience
What They Do: Plan and coordinate engineering or architectural projects.

BLS Handbook: Architectural and Engineering Managers

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21. Podiatrists

Average Salary (CA): $212,350
Pathway: Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM); podiatric residency
What They Do: Diagnose and treat conditions of the foot, ankle, and lower leg.

BLS Handbook: Podiatrists

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22. Financial Managers

Average Salary (CA): $210,490
Pathway: Bachelor’s degree in finance or related field; significant work experience
What They Do: Plan, direct, and coordinate financial activities of an organization, including investment activities and long-term financial planning.

BLS Handbook: Financial Managers

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23. Marketing Managers

Average Salary (CA): $207,860
Pathway: Bachelor’s in marketing or related field
What They Do: Plan and direct marketing strategies and campaigns.

BLS Handbook: Advertising, Promotions, and Marketing Managers

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24. Commercial Pilots

Average Salary (CA): $202,040
Pathway: High school diploma; FAA Commercial Pilot License and flight training
What They Do: Pilot aircraft for non-airline purposes including charter flights, agricultural operations, aerial photography, firefighting, and rescue.

BLS Handbook: Airline and Commercial Pilots

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25. Physicists

Average Salary (CA): $201,930
Pathway: PhD in physics or related field
What They Do: Conduct research and develop theories based on observations and experiments.

BLS Handbook: Physicists and Astronomers

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26. Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary

Average Salary (CA): $196,500
Pathway: Doctoral or professional degree (often medical or dental); many are practicing clinicians who also teach
What They Do: Teach courses in health specialties at colleges, universities, and medical or dental schools.

BLS Handbook: Postsecondary Teachers

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27. Nurse Midwives

Average Salary (CA): $194,730
Pathway: Master’s degree (MSN) or DNP; Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM) credential
What They Do: Provide prenatal care, attend births, and deliver primary reproductive and gynecologic care.

BLS Handbook: Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners

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28. Human Resources Managers

Average Salary (CA): $191,920
Pathway: Bachelor’s or master’s in HR or business
What They Do: Plan, coordinate, and direct the administrative functions of an organization.

BLS Handbook: Human Resources Managers

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29. Computer Hardware Engineers

Average Salary (CA): $190,590
Pathway: Bachelor’s in computer engineering or related field
What They Do: Research, design, develop, and test computer systems and components.

BLS Handbook: Computer Hardware Engineers

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30. Materials Scientists

Average Salary (CA): $189,460
Pathway: Bachelor’s or master’s in materials science, chemistry, or related field
What They Do: Research the structure and properties of natural and synthetic materials to create new products and improve existing ones.

BLS Handbook: Chemists and Materials Scientists

Related Reading: The Top 10 Best Engineering Schools

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Salary Comparison Table

Occupation	Average Salary (CA)
Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric	$347,690
Psychiatrists	$315,380
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers	$310,190
Radiologists	$309,990
Neurologists	$306,860
Cardiologists	$296,940
Nurse Anesthetists	$283,780
General Internal Medicine Physicians	$273,270
Chief Executives	$272,920
Obstetricians and Gynecologists	$272,520
Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric	$258,550
Surgeons, All Other	$255,620
Family Medicine Physicians	$252,930
Computer and Information Systems Managers	$238,440
Lawyers	$230,040
Natural Sciences Managers	$223,850
Pediatricians, General	$221,480
Physicians, Pathologists	$221,080
Dentists, All Other Specialists	$218,050
Architectural and Engineering Managers	$213,110
Podiatrists	$212,350
Financial Managers	$210,490
Marketing Managers	$207,860
Commercial Pilots	$202,040
Physicists	$201,930
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary	$196,500
Nurse Midwives	$194,730
Human Resources Managers	$191,920
Computer Hardware Engineers	$190,590
Materials Scientists	$189,460

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Final Thoughts

California may be one of the most expensive places to live, but it’s also where ambitious careers take off. If you’re considering one of the highest-paying careers in California, remember that success doesn’t happen overnight. It’s built through dedication, the right guidance, and a clear vision for the future. Whether you’re pursuing a path in healthcare, tech, or leadership, this list is a starting point to help you move forward with purpose.

At Amtec, we’re here to guide you. While our job board may not feature every role listed here, it’s a great place to explore real opportunities that align with your goals. Explore Jobs

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FAQs

What’s the #1 highest-paying job in California?

As of May 2025 BLS data, Ophthalmologists (Except Pediatric) top the list at $347,690 per year on average.

Do all high-paying careers in California require a doctorate?

No. While many healthcare roles do, others, like software developers, marketing managers, and engineering managers, can offer six figures with a bachelor’s degree and experience. A handful of roles on this list, such as commercial pilots, don’t require any college degree at all.

Which industry pays the most overall?

Healthcare dominates the top ranks of the list, but technology, executive management, aviation, and law are also major earners.

Where can I explore the full wage database?

Check the official BLS site here: https://data.bls.gov/oes/#/area/0600000.