If you are planning on moving to California, the one thing in your mind is likely: How much will I make? The truth is that it all depends upon so many variables—where you live, the type of work you do, and how experienced you are. California is a large place with varying wages, so let us get an idea of what is the average salary in California and what you can really look forward to.
Getting the California Average Pay
Based on the 2023 American Community Survey of the U.S. Census Bureau, the median household income in the state of California is $95,521. It is the middle value when all of the households are arranged from lowest to highest.
In the meantime, the mean household income—or the total of the incomes divided by the number of households—is $134,491. The median tends to be a more effective indicator of what is “average” since super-low or super-high incomes do not impact it as much as they do the mean.
But this is only a statewide figure. Wages greatly differ depending on the location. For instance, wages in San Francisco are much higher than in Fresno due to variations in the cost of living, availability of jobs, and industries in each city.
Salaries in California’s Largest Cities
Various cities in California have significantly different average wages. Fremont, San Francisco, and San Jose are the top three cities with the highest household incomes. San Bernardino has the lowest household income among large cities.
Top 5 Highest-Paying Cities in California
| City | Average Household Income |
| Fremont | $215,515 |
| San Francisco | $193,467 |
| San Jose | $183,553 |
| Irvine | $168,538 |
| Oakland | $144,796 |
Bottom 5 Lowest-Earning Cities in California
| City | Average Household Income |
| Bakersfield | $97,313 |
| Stockton | $96,543 |
| Fresno | $92,964 |
| San Bernardino | $80,118 |
As you will see, there is a significant variation in compensation depending on where you are. If you are thinking about moving to California, you might want to think about weighing salary potential against the cost of living in varying locations.
Salaries by County in California
Salaries also differ by county. The three counties with the highest average household incomes are San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Marin. These are where most of the well-paying tech and finance work is, which generates bigger paychecks.
Top 5 Highest-Paying Counties in California
| County | Average Household Income |
| San Mateo | $219,670 |
| Santa Clara | $216,363 |
| Marin | $215,351 |
| San Francisco | $193,467 |
| Alameda | $168,037 |
If you are moving to one of these counties, you can expect higher pay—but a higher cost of living. To give you a better idea, compare counties such as Merced and Tehama, which provide significantly lower pay, with median household incomes in the $80,000 range.
Highest Paying Jobs in California
Of course, where you reside is not the sole determinant of your pay—what you do is also considered. A few jobs in California bring in a whole lot more than others. The highest-paying ones are medicine, business executive positions, and flights.
Top 5 Highest-Paid Jobs in California
| Job Title | Mean Annual Wage |
| Anesthesiologists | $452,930 |
| Cardiologists | $389,120 |
| Orthopedic Surgeons | $346,070 |
| Airline Pilots | $286,040 |
| Chief Executives | $281,030 |
Many of these high-paying jobs require advanced degrees and years of experience, but they can be worth it if you are looking for a big paycheck. On the other end of the scale, lower-paying jobs—such as forest and conservation workers—earn closer to $33,660 per year.
Comparing California Salaries to Other States
If you are moving to California, you may be thinking about how wages compare to those in other large states. New York, for instance, is an expensive state, but the average salary in New York is equivalent to those in California. There are variances based on where you are and which business you work for, but California and New York wages are relatively similar.
What This Means for You
You will base your salary on what you do:
- Your job – Certain fields, such as healthcare and tech, compensate more than others.
- How experienced you are – The more experienced you are, the more money you typically earn.
- Where you live – Wages in Silicon Valley or LA are drastically higher than in the country.
- Cost of living – Although you might earn a higher wage in San Francisco, your rent and daily living expenses will be higher.
Final Thoughts
The average salary in California is $76,960, although there is great variation. Some earn much less, and others—particularly in medicine and technology—earn much more. If you are considering a move to California, research salaries in your profession and where you would be residing. Compare it to other states, such as the average salary in New York, to determine which state fits in your budget.