Everything we can verify about jobs, pay and living in California, from official statistics, with source and date on every table.
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By AtiveSite · Published 07/11/2026 · Updated 07/11/2026 · Every figure is linked to its source below.
California is in the West region (Pacific division), with 39,431,264 residents, a median age of 38.4 and a median household income of $100,149. The unemployment rate was 5.1% in 2026M09, and the state's price level is 110.7 against 100 for the US as a whole.
| Indicator ⇅ | Value ⇅ | Rank among 50 states + DC ⇅ | Direction ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $100,149 | 6 of 51 | higher is better |
| Unemployment rate | 5.1% | 49 of 51 | lower is better |
| Job openings rate | 3.6% | 37 of 51 | higher is better |
| Price level (RPP) | 110.7 | 51 of 51 | lower is better |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 38.1% | 16 of 51 | higher is better |
| Foreign-born share | 27.6% | 1 of 51 | higher is better |
See the 1,716 federal jobs open now →Country guide: United States250 largest cities
Neighbouring states in the Pacific division: Alaska · Hawaii · Oregon · Washington.
| Industry ⇅ | GDP ($ million, annual rate) ⇅ | Share of state GDP ⇅ |
|---|---|---|
| Real estate and rental and leasing | 611,454 | 13.8% |
| Information | 541,970 | 12.2% |
| Government and government enterprises | 460,774 | 10.4% |
| Professional, scientific, and technical services | 430,954 | 9.7% |
| Manufacturing | 410,450 | 9.2% |
| Health care and social assistance | 311,190 | 7.0% |
| Wholesale trade | 280,407 | 6.3% |
| Retail trade | 236,072 | 5.3% |
| Finance and insurance | 232,982 | 5.2% |
| Construction | 153,727 | 3.5% |
| Accommodation and food services | 131,352 | 3.0% |
| Transportation and warehousing | 121,084 | 2.7% |
| Administrative and support and waste management and remediation services | 119,646 | 2.7% |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 88,864 | 2.0% |
| Other services (except government and government enterprises) | 78,892 | 1.8% |
| Utilities | 64,686 | 1.5% |
| Arts, entertainment, and recreation | 53,959 | 1.2% |
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting | 53,582 | 1.2% |
| Educational services | 46,475 | 1.0% |
| Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction | 10,301 | 0.2% |
| Sector ⇅ | Jobs (payroll) ⇅ | Change in 12 months ⇅ | Month ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mining and logging | 18,300 | -2.1% | 2026M09 |
| Construction | 895,700 | -0.5% | 2026M09 |
| Manufacturing | 1,209,100 | -1.2% | 2026M09 |
| Trade, transportation and utilities | 3,048,900 | +1.0% | 2026M09 |
| Information | 503,500 | -4.2% | 2026M09 |
| Financial activities | 772,600 | -2.1% | 2026M09 |
| Professional and business services | 2,739,600 | -0.5% | 2026M09 |
| Education and health services | 3,628,900 | +3.8% | 2026M09 |
| Leisure and hospitality | 2,045,800 | +1.3% | 2026M09 |
| Other services | 599,100 | +1.1% | 2026M09 |
| Government | 2,652,200 | +0.9% | 2026M09 |
BEA values are seasonally adjusted annual rates averaged over the latest four quarters. BLS payroll counts are not seasonally adjusted. The state total of jobs is 18,113,700 (latest month).
| Occupation field ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Per 1,000 jobs ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Median vs US ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support | 1,878,550 | 103.1 | 0.90 | $54,900 | $38,370 | $82,730 | +16% |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related | 1,622,960 | 89.1 | 1.01 | $40,250 | $34,870 | $55,970 | +15% |
| Transportation and Material Moving | 1,504,070 | 82.6 | 0.94 | $45,850 | $36,140 | $74,160 | +3% |
| Sales and Related | 1,454,670 | 79.9 | 0.93 | $45,400 | $35,600 | $106,810 | +18% |
| Management | 1,330,280 | 73.0 | 1.02 | $143,220 | $67,870 | $300,160 | +13% |
| Business and Financial Operations | 1,265,010 | 69.5 | 1.02 | $96,110 | $53,860 | $168,100 | +16% |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical | 990,550 | 54.4 | 0.86 | $123,330 | $55,980 | $216,090 | +43% |
| Educational Instruction and Library | 1,087,510 | 59.7 | 1.02 | $69,190 | $39,040 | $129,630 | +14% |
| Production | 744,730 | 40.9 | 0.74 | $47,860 | $36,640 | $80,260 | +2% |
| Healthcare Support | 1,373,820 | 75.4 | 1.48 | $35,950 | $34,320 | $57,870 | -6% |
| Construction and Extraction | 672,770 | 36.9 | 0.89 | $71,670 | $46,190 | $126,080 | +20% |
| Installation, Maintenance, and Repair | 546,040 | 30.0 | 0.77 | $64,660 | $40,820 | $106,300 | +8% |
| Computer and Mathematical | 717,740 | 39.4 | 1.16 | $138,670 | $70,760 | $223,910 | +27% |
| Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance | 509,190 | 28.0 | 0.96 | $44,250 | $35,920 | $63,460 | +17% |
| Protective Service | 461,860 | 25.4 | 1.04 | $51,700 | $36,500 | $127,420 | +3% |
| Personal Care and Service | 408,180 | 22.4 | 1.07 | $39,500 | $35,040 | $63,780 | +8% |
| Community and Social Service | 407,070 | 22.3 | 1.30 | $62,590 | $43,900 | $122,730 | +7% |
| Architecture and Engineering | 327,600 | 18.0 | 1.07 | $124,010 | $68,050 | $205,930 | +25% |
| Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media | 338,230 | 18.6 | 1.41 | $79,520 | $40,800 | $184,500 | +27% |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science | 206,700 | 11.3 | 1.20 | $101,700 | $51,720 | $174,220 | +23% |
| Legal | 158,370 | 8.7 | 1.04 | $129,550 | $60,180 | $332,680 | +26% |
| Farming, Fishing, and Forestry | 207,800 | 11.4 | 4.08 | $35,890 | $34,320 | $48,970 | -2% |
| Industry ⇅ | Share of employed residents ⇅ |
|---|---|
| Education and health care | 22.9% |
| Professional, scientific, management, administrative | 14.9% |
| Arts, entertainment, accommodation, food | 9.8% |
| Retail trade | 9.7% |
| Manufacturing | 8.3% |
| Construction | 6.5% |
| Transportation, warehousing, utilities | 5.9% |
| Finance, insurance, real estate | 5.4% |
| Other services | 4.8% |
| Public administration | 4.8% |
| Information | 2.8% |
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing, mining | 2.1% |
| Wholesale trade | 2.0% |
| Occupation ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ | Median pay (year) ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Median vs US ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | 970,150 | 1.92 | $34,320 | $34,320 | $39,260 | -4% |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | 449,840 | 1.00 | $42,280 | $35,530 | $47,950 | +36% |
| Retail Salespersons | 376,460 | 0.82 | $38,440 | $35,240 | $54,310 | +9% |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | 355,500 | 1.03 | $44,710 | $36,060 | $57,700 | +11% |
| Registered Nurses | 338,940 | 0.86 | $140,270 | $101,260 | $213,320 | +44% |
| Cashiers | 336,110 | 0.93 | $37,100 | $34,760 | $48,950 | +13% |
| Office Clerks, General | 311,490 | 1.08 | $48,460 | $36,190 | $73,220 | +8% |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | 310,870 | 0.94 | $42,870 | $35,910 | $54,820 | +15% |
| General and Operations Managers | 300,840 | 0.73 | $124,390 | $60,370 | $293,810 | +18% |
| Software Developers | 284,390 | 1.44 | $174,410 | $105,060 | $272,670 | +28% |
| Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | 234,240 | 0.90 | $41,090 | $35,610 | $58,950 | +12% |
| Waiters and Waitresses | 229,970 | 0.86 | $36,080 | $34,320 | $68,950 | +2% |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | 205,090 | 0.85 | $60,230 | $41,830 | $81,960 | +3% |
| Security Guards | 199,480 | 1.33 | $43,240 | $36,010 | $57,880 | +14% |
| Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | 177,140 | 1.06 | $46,490 | $37,240 | $59,520 | +26% |
| Customer Service Representatives | 176,850 | 0.58 | $49,560 | $38,110 | $75,700 | +11% |
| Accountants and Auditors | 175,360 | 1.03 | $97,050 | $61,770 | $160,520 | +16% |
| Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse | 172,260 | 5.54 | $35,580 | $34,320 | $44,870 | -0% |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | 158,630 | 0.79 | $55,400 | $38,060 | $78,170 | +17% |
| Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel | 156,110 | 1.06 | $80,850 | $43,240 | $168,720 | +16% |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | 155,160 | 0.95 | $99,650 | $61,940 | $127,070 | +56% |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | 155,000 | 1.22 | $87,570 | $46,410 | $169,160 | +5% |
| Cooks, Restaurant | 152,250 | 0.92 | $44,880 | $37,100 | $55,580 | +20% |
| Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks | 151,870 | 0.94 | $59,230 | $41,600 | $81,990 | +17% |
| First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers | 149,230 | 0.89 | $77,590 | $50,870 | $121,650 | +12% |
| Occupation ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ | Median pay (year) ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Median vs US ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neurologists | 1,090 | 0.88 | $357,080 | $104,320 | $357,080 | +44% |
| Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | 10,670 | 0.88 | $353,900 | $179,270 | $427,660 | +52% |
| Psychiatrists | 5,420 | 1.66 | $353,500 | $113,990 | $496,230 | +25% |
| General Internal Medicine Physicians | 6,370 | 0.81 | $313,890 | $74,180 | $441,710 | +22% |
| Obstetricians and Gynecologists | 1,610 | 0.65 | $301,240 | $103,330 | $401,440 | +3% |
| Nurse Anesthetists | 2,230 | 0.37 | $292,410 | $200,530 | $335,550 | +24% |
| Physicians, All Other | 25,530 | 0.64 | $281,590 | $80,590 | $431,980 | +6% |
| Chief Executives | 34,700 | 1.45 | $218,600 | $85,790 | $486,830 | +2% |
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | 94,720 | 1.21 | $218,290 | $129,970 | $325,970 | +25% |
| Pediatricians, General | 6,680 | 1.45 | $214,140 | $102,600 | $372,460 | +2% |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | 29,630 | 1.15 | $210,280 | $137,900 | $296,130 | +23% |
| Natural Sciences Managers | 14,950 | 1.17 | $210,230 | $130,730 | $330,050 | +26% |
| Physicists | 5,930 | 2.48 | $207,490 | $125,390 | $296,740 | +20% |
| Podiatrists | 1,000 | 0.88 | $201,300 | $85,480 | $362,110 | +26% |
| Lawyers | 95,770 | 1.08 | $195,080 | $97,950 | $369,180 | +22% |
| Marketing Managers | 54,660 | 1.18 | $193,620 | $104,370 | $326,400 | +16% |
| Physicians, Pathologists | 1,790 | 1.37 | $186,300 | $105,750 | $387,760 | -40% |
| Computer Hardware Engineers | 19,820 | 2.21 | $185,180 | $126,590 | $281,210 | +14% |
| Financial Managers | 93,310 | 0.95 | $180,770 | $101,820 | $341,670 | +9% |
| Materials Scientists | 1,030 | 1.04 | $177,030 | $96,050 | $300,330 | +50% |
| Managers, All Other | 99,580 | 1.37 | $174,560 | $98,280 | $303,680 | +23% |
| Software Developers | 284,390 | 1.44 | $174,410 | $105,060 | $272,670 | +28% |
| Nuclear Engineers | 1,070 | 0.60 | $172,400 | $109,990 | $207,740 | +29% |
| Database Architects | 6,210 | 0.79 | $170,160 | $101,200 | $227,900 | +22% |
| Human Resources Managers | 27,450 | 1.06 | $170,080 | $96,430 | $307,600 | +14% |
| Occupation ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ | Median pay (year) ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Median vs US ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse | 172,260 | 5.54 | $35,580 | $34,320 | $44,870 | -0% |
| Marriage and Family Therapists | 34,970 | 4.47 | $67,300 | $46,350 | $130,340 | +1% |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | 9,940 | 4.33 | $102,630 | $44,140 | $170,410 | +39% |
| Actors | 26,170 | 4.06 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Law Teachers, Postsecondary | 7,800 | 3.32 | $119,540 | $72,850 | $284,350 | -7% |
| Material Moving Workers, All Other | 9,120 | 3.31 | $38,410 | $35,740 | $50,270 | -8% |
| Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes | 4,860 | 3.28 | $98,110 | $73,530 | $298,390 | +18% |
| Counselors, All Other | 10,770 | 3.22 | $48,850 | $39,140 | $99,760 | -4% |
| Forest and Conservation Workers | 2,270 | 3.20 | $43,680 | $36,080 | $45,760 | +0% |
| First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers | 10,450 | 3.19 | $56,280 | $38,900 | $91,370 | -5% |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | 7,410 | 3.17 | $130,540 | $71,710 | $206,160 | +28% |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | 30,730 | 3.10 | $36,910 | $34,530 | $53,130 | +3% |
| Tapers | 4,540 | 3.02 | $73,460 | $45,800 | $115,370 | +8% |
| Plasterers and Stucco Masons | 6,780 | 3.00 | $59,940 | $46,460 | $95,240 | +4% |
| Educational Instruction and Library Workers, All Other | 39,440 | 2.84 | $64,100 | $34,320 | $130,030 | +26% |
| Lighting Technicians | 2,950 | 2.83 | $94,070 | $50,910 | $159,610 | +38% |
| Designers, All Other | 3,110 | 2.80 | $65,420 | $49,050 | $140,430 | +1% |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | 27,280 | 2.80 | $65,880 | $46,050 | $120,240 | +12% |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | 26,360 | 2.76 | $39,330 | $34,320 | $72,430 | -8% |
| Acupuncturists | 2,520 | 2.75 | $75,530 | $37,810 | $186,300 | -1% |
| Film and Video Editors | 8,110 | 2.70 | $88,490 | $42,020 | $169,810 | +17% |
| Media and Communication Equipment Workers, All Other | 3,890 | 2.67 | $64,550 | $42,210 | $137,220 | -9% |
| Sound Engineering Technicians | 4,060 | 2.65 | $78,150 | $45,720 | $143,130 | +7% |
| Sales and Related Workers, All Other | 28,480 | 2.61 | $52,810 | $37,280 | $105,460 | +9% |
| Fashion Designers | 6,470 | 2.57 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Occupations with a page of their own link to it. Pay above $239,200 a year is shown as "≥ $239,200" (BLS top-code). "n/a" means BLS suppressed the figure.
There are 1,716 federal job postings open now in California (USAJOBS). This is the federal government only: most US jobs are in the private sector and are advertised on employers' own sites, so use the pay and demand tables on this page for the whole labour market.
| Agency ⇅ | Open postings ⇅ |
|---|---|
| Veterans Health Administration | 272 |
| Forest Service | 144 |
| U.S. Marine Corps | 137 |
| Department of the Air Force Headquarters | 131 |
| Commander, Navy Installations Command | 66 |
| Military Treatment Facilities under DHA | 62 |
| Federal Aviation Administration | 60 |
| National Park Service | 55 |
| Immigration and Customs Enforcement | 39 |
| Air Force Civilian Career Training | 39 |
| Defense Commissary Agency | 35 |
| Naval Air Systems Command | 34 |
| Bureau of Prisons/Federal Prison System | 31 |
| Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys and the Office of the U.S. Attorneys | 29 |
| Customs and Border Protection | 24 |
| Series ⇅ | Open postings ⇅ |
|---|---|
| Attorney | 76 |
| Wildland Fire Management | 73 |
| Medical Officer | 71 |
| Miscellaneous Administration And Program | 60 |
| General Business And Industry | 53 |
| Nurse | 43 |
| Information Technology Management | 36 |
| Management And Program Analysis | 32 |
| Forestry Technician | 32 |
| Police | 29 |
| Education And Training Technician | 28 |
| Medical Support Assistance | 27 |
| Contracting | 26 |
| Psychology | 23 |
| Program Management | 23 |
Median starting salary in postings that list a yearly range: $77,135 (1,253 postings).
53 of the 250 largest US cities are in California.
| City ⇅ | Population ⇅ | Median household income ⇅ | Median rent ⇅ | Unemployment (ACS) ⇅ | Bachelor's+ ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | 3,878,718 | $82,263 | $1,958 | 6.7% | 39.9% |
| San Diego | 1,404,461 | $111,032 | $2,414 | 5.8% | 53.6% |
| San Jose | 997,395 | $148,226 | $2,674 | 5.5% | 49.0% |
| San Francisco | 827,526 | $139,801 | $2,448 | 5.8% | 60.9% |
| Fresno | 550,091 | $74,491 | $1,552 | 9.2% | 24.8% |
| Sacramento | 535,787 | $91,387 | $1,846 | 6.2% | 37.6% |
| Long Beach | 450,917 | $91,318 | $1,962 | 5.3% | 37.3% |
| Oakland | 443,575 | $102,235 | $2,008 | 6.2% | 51.4% |
| Bakersfield | 417,461 | $82,093 | $1,708 | 6.2% | 24.1% |
| Anaheim | 344,579 | $101,145 | $2,258 | 5.0% | 31.8% |
| Stockton | 324,980 | $78,627 | $1,635 | 10.6% | 22.9% |
| Riverside | 323,792 | $90,004 | $2,060 | 6.4% | 25.4% |
| Santa Ana | 312,534 | $93,999 | $2,082 | 4.8% | 18.3% |
| Irvine | 311,690 | $136,719 | $2,997 | 5.8% | 70.6% |
| Chula Vista | 276,375 | $108,032 | $2,229 | 8.0% | 33.2% |
| Santa Clarita | 230,221 | $123,062 | $2,544 | 5.7% | 39.8% |
| Fremont | 228,295 | $181,506 | $2,933 | 4.7% | 63.9% |
| San Bernardino | 222,724 | $67,415 | $1,508 | 6.1% | 13.1% |
| Modesto | 219,215 | $79,891 | $1,690 | 7.2% | 21.2% |
| Fontana | 214,169 | $102,821 | $1,839 | 6.5% | 21.4% |
| Moreno Valley | 211,666 | $93,222 | $2,135 | 7.1% | 17.8% |
| Oxnard | 200,928 | $96,212 | $2,032 | 6.5% | 19.5% |
| Huntington Beach | 195,240 | $120,919 | $2,510 | 5.4% | 49.0% |
| Glendale | 190,748 | $88,393 | $2,182 | 8.2% | 47.2% |
| Ontario | 180,547 | $88,941 | $2,030 | 6.3% | 22.5% |
| Elk Grove | 179,155 | $125,924 | $2,262 | 6.4% | 38.9% |
| Santa Rosa | 177,090 | $99,060 | $2,152 | 6.3% | 35.1% |
| Rancho Cucamonga | 175,411 | $111,895 | $2,357 | 5.9% | 37.5% |
| Oceanside | 172,242 | $97,737 | $2,303 | 5.3% | 36.1% |
| Garden Grove | 170,964 | $92,174 | $2,012 | 6.0% | 25.3% |
| Lancaster | 169,169 | $81,511 | $1,764 | 7.5% | 20.0% |
| Palmdale | 164,634 | $81,770 | $1,802 | 8.3% | 17.1% |
| Salinas | 161,761 | $91,908 | $1,991 | 4.7% | 16.5% |
| Corona | 159,670 | $109,242 | $2,228 | 5.5% | 32.4% |
| Hayward | 158,801 | $113,318 | $2,391 | 6.3% | 34.0% |
| Roseville | 155,955 | $119,288 | $2,142 | 5.2% | 44.3% |
| Sunnyvale | 154,236 | $186,170 | $3,039 | 4.5% | 69.3% |
| Escondido | 149,668 | $91,967 | $2,046 | 4.7% | 28.9% |
| Pomona | 147,943 | $79,479 | $1,810 | 6.6% | 20.3% |
| Visalia | 143,939 | $81,989 | $1,490 | 6.9% | 24.1% |
| Torrance | 142,130 | $116,217 | $2,280 | 6.0% | 54.0% |
| Fullerton | 140,968 | $104,286 | $2,194 | 6.3% | 43.5% |
| Orange | 138,266 | $117,113 | $2,327 | 4.9% | 39.7% |
| Victorville | 137,627 | $74,410 | $1,618 | 11.1% | 12.8% |
| Pasadena | 136,969 | $105,192 | $2,265 | 5.7% | 56.1% |
| Santa Clara | 130,256 | $178,958 | $3,016 | 5.1% | 65.9% |
| Simi Valley | 125,634 | $122,081 | $2,579 | 5.0% | 39.1% |
| Thousand Oaks | 125,205 | $135,603 | $2,664 | 5.4% | 51.4% |
| Clovis | 124,725 | $99,241 | $1,792 | 5.6% | 36.6% |
| Vallejo | 124,268 | $90,171 | $2,073 | 7.4% | 28.8% |
| Concord | 124,035 | $108,709 | $2,274 | 5.4% | 37.5% |
| Fairfield | 120,785 | $101,895 | $2,266 | 5.8% | 26.6% |
| Berkeley | 120,257 | $108,092 | $2,133 | 5.6% | 74.9% |
Click a state or a city. States: Alabama · Alaska · Arizona · Arkansas · California · Colorado · Connecticut · Delaware · District of Columbia · Florida · Georgia · Hawaii · Idaho · Illinois · Indiana · Iowa · Kansas · Kentucky · Louisiana · Maine · Maryland · Massachusetts · Michigan · Minnesota · Mississippi · Missouri · Montana · Nebraska · Nevada · New Hampshire · New Jersey · New Mexico · New York · North Carolina · North Dakota · Ohio · Oklahoma · Oregon · Pennsylvania · Rhode Island · South Carolina · South Dakota · Tennessee · Texas · Utah · Vermont · Virginia · Washington · West Virginia · Wisconsin · Wyoming.
The median wage in California is $58,240 a year ($28.00 an hour) against $50,980 nationally (+14%). The 10th percentile earns $35,950 and the 90th $159,080.
| Occupation field ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Per 1,000 jobs ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Median vs US ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support | 1,878,550 | 103.1 | 0.90 | $54,900 | $38,370 | $82,730 | +16% |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related | 1,622,960 | 89.1 | 1.01 | $40,250 | $34,870 | $55,970 | +15% |
| Transportation and Material Moving | 1,504,070 | 82.6 | 0.94 | $45,850 | $36,140 | $74,160 | +3% |
| Sales and Related | 1,454,670 | 79.9 | 0.93 | $45,400 | $35,600 | $106,810 | +18% |
| Management | 1,330,280 | 73.0 | 1.02 | $143,220 | $67,870 | $300,160 | +13% |
| Business and Financial Operations | 1,265,010 | 69.5 | 1.02 | $96,110 | $53,860 | $168,100 | +16% |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical | 990,550 | 54.4 | 0.86 | $123,330 | $55,980 | $216,090 | +43% |
| Educational Instruction and Library | 1,087,510 | 59.7 | 1.02 | $69,190 | $39,040 | $129,630 | +14% |
| Production | 744,730 | 40.9 | 0.74 | $47,860 | $36,640 | $80,260 | +2% |
| Healthcare Support | 1,373,820 | 75.4 | 1.48 | $35,950 | $34,320 | $57,870 | -6% |
| Construction and Extraction | 672,770 | 36.9 | 0.89 | $71,670 | $46,190 | $126,080 | +20% |
| Installation, Maintenance, and Repair | 546,040 | 30.0 | 0.77 | $64,660 | $40,820 | $106,300 | +8% |
| Computer and Mathematical | 717,740 | 39.4 | 1.16 | $138,670 | $70,760 | $223,910 | +27% |
| Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance | 509,190 | 28.0 | 0.96 | $44,250 | $35,920 | $63,460 | +17% |
| Protective Service | 461,860 | 25.4 | 1.04 | $51,700 | $36,500 | $127,420 | +3% |
| Personal Care and Service | 408,180 | 22.4 | 1.07 | $39,500 | $35,040 | $63,780 | +8% |
| Community and Social Service | 407,070 | 22.3 | 1.30 | $62,590 | $43,900 | $122,730 | +7% |
| Architecture and Engineering | 327,600 | 18.0 | 1.07 | $124,010 | $68,050 | $205,930 | +25% |
| Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media | 338,230 | 18.6 | 1.41 | $79,520 | $40,800 | $184,500 | +27% |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science | 206,700 | 11.3 | 1.20 | $101,700 | $51,720 | $174,220 | +23% |
| Legal | 158,370 | 8.7 | 1.04 | $129,550 | $60,180 | $332,680 | +26% |
| Farming, Fishing, and Forestry | 207,800 | 11.4 | 4.08 | $35,890 | $34,320 | $48,970 | -2% |
Estimate for a wage earner: 2026 federal brackets and standard deduction (IRS), Social Security 6.2% up to $184,500, Medicare 1.45% (+0.9% above $200,000 single / $250,000 married), and a state rate you set; graduated states show 0 until you enter your own estimate. It ignores credits, pre-tax deductions, local taxes and benefits. Sources: IRS: tax year 2026 inflation adjustments · SSA wage base per Federal Register notice 2025-19763.
| Rule ⇅ | In California ⇅ |
|---|---|
| Minimum wage (per hour) | $16.90 (federal minimum is $7.25; the higher applies for most workers) |
| State income tax on wages | Graduated, top rate 13.30% |
| Right-to-work state | No |
| State paid family and medical leave program | Yes |
| Employment | At-will in most states (either side can end the job with notice, with legal exceptions) |
Nationwide rules (overtime after 40 hours, family leave, discrimination, visas) are on the country guide. Many cities and counties set higher minimum wages or paid sick leave; check the local government. Confirm all figures with the official sources before acting.
| Indicator ⇅ | Value ⇅ |
|---|---|
| Price level, all items (US = 100) | 110.7 |
| Median gross rent per month | $2,104 |
| Median home value | $759,500 |
| Homeowners (share of households) | 55.8% |
| Poverty rate | 11.8% |
| Drive alone to work | 67.3% |
| Public transit to work | 3.3% |
| Work from home | 14.1% |
| Commute of 45 minutes or more | 20.8% |
Regional price parities measure how much it costs to buy the same basket of goods and services: 100 is the national average.
27.6% of residents of California were born abroad (10,902,744 people).
| Country of birth ⇅ | Residents ⇅ |
|---|---|
| Mexico | 3,873,418 |
| Philippines | 818,879 |
| China, excluding Hong Kong and Taiwan | 693,052 |
| India | 572,030 |
| Vietnam | 516,576 |
| El Salvador | 439,662 |
| Korea | 317,331 |
| Guatemala | 313,256 |
| Iran | 213,889 |
| Taiwan | 178,171 |
| Canada | 129,126 |
| Hong Kong | 104,919 |
| Japan | 102,362 |
| Armenia | 87,732 |
| Russia | 78,310 |
Work permits and visas are federal. See permits and first steps and, for your country, Working in the US from your country.
$16.90 (the federal minimum is $7.25; the higher rate applies for most workers). Source: US Department of Labor.
Graduated, top rate 13.30% (Tax Foundation, rates as of 01/01/2026).
5.1% in 2026M09 (BLS, seasonally adjusted).
$100,149 (Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024, 2024 dollars).
1,716 postings on USAJOBS today. Private-sector jobs are not included.