• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Home
About Us Contact Us Advertising
Articles
Budgeting Debt Frugal Insurance Investing Making Money Retirement Saving Money
Tips
Money Saving Tips Trash Audit
Make Money Forums Blogs
Create a Blog Control Panel All Entries All Blogs
Tools
Calculators Prescription Drug Coupons Online Savings Accounts Test Your Knowledge Financial Directory Credit Cards

SavingAdvice.com Blog

Bridging the gap between saving money and investing

Subscribe

 

Join Now or Login

  • Home
    • Advertising
  • Tips
    • Money Saving Tips
    • Recycle, Reuse and Repurpose
  • Make Money
  • Credit Score Guide
  • Forums
  • Blogs
    • Create a Blog
  • Tools
  • Financial Basics
    • Back to Basics: Saving Money
    • Back to Basics: Beginners Guide to Retirement
    • Back to Basics: What Every Child Under 10 Should Know About Personal Finance
    • Back to Financial Basics: Investing In Stocks

What You Should Know About the Best Paying Jobs in California

September 21, 2021 by Vicky Monroe

Best Paying Jobs in California

It’s easy to see why you’d want to live in the Golden State. Its warm weather, white sand beaches, delicious food, and friendly people make it one of the best places to call home. But living in California can be a big drain on your bank account. The state has the third highest cost of living in the country, behind only New York and Hawaii.

California’s high housing prices and gas taxes make it one of the most expensive states to settle down in. To be financially comfortable there, it’s estimated that you need a household income of at least $99,971. But luckily California has a strong job market and lots of great job opportunities if you know where to look.

To help you in your job search, here’s a list of the best paying jobs in California. 

Best Paying Jobs in California 

IT Manager 

Many tech companies are based in California, so you’ll have lots of job opportunities as an IT manager. To land this role, you’ll usually need a degree in information technology, computer science, or a related field. IT managers can earn $185,000 per year, which is more than enough to live comfortably in California. 

Doctor 

It takes 10 to 14 years to become a doctor, but the payoff is worth it. Physicians are some of the best paid professionals in the state and can earn as much as $212,000. 

Lawyer 

Love Law and Order? A career as a lawyer may be right for you. You’ll need to spend four years at college and another three at law school, but a great average salary of $173,000 awaits you when you’re done. 

Marketing Manager 

If you’re a creative person, you may enjoy working in marketing. You’ll get to work on interesting ad campaigns all day and can earn up to $170,000 if you climb the ranks and become a manager. 

Financial Manager 

If you love tinkering with your budget spreadsheets, consider a career as a financial manager. They earn an average of $156,000 and only need a bachelor’s degree. 

Best Paying Jobs in California Without a Degree 

Most of the best paying jobs in California require at least a college degree. However, if you don’t have the time or money to go back to school, here are some good paying jobs you can land without a diploma. 

Firefighter 

Firefighting is a lucrative and fulfilling career path. You’ll not only get to help people everyday, but also earn a good salary of $100,000 to $125,000. 

Building Inspector 

If you have a passion for construction, look into becoming a building inspector. They only need a high school degree and earn an average of $100,000 per year. 

Makeup Artist 

Makeup artists who work on TV shows and plays can earn as much as $115,000 per year. 

Elevator and Escalator Repairer 

If you’re good at fixing things, you could become an elevator repairer and earn up to $100,000 per year. 

Police Officer 

Police officers in big cities like Los Angeles can earn salaries as high as $135,000. 

Pilot

Airline pilots in California can make up to $208,000. Although you won’t need a college degree to become a pilot, you will need to earn a commercial pilot certificate and pass a thorough medical examination. 

Living in California can get expensive. But luckily there are lots of job opportunities throughout the state that pay a good salary and will enable you to live comfortably. 

Read More 

How Food Portioning Can Save You Money

How to Make Money from Inflatable Houses

Best Side Hustles in Arkansas

If you enjoy reading our blog posts and would like to try your hand at blogging, we have good news for you; you can do exactly that on Saving Advice. Just click here to get started. 
Check out these helpful tools to help you save more. For investing advice, visit The Motley Fool.

Vicky Monroe
Vicky Monroe

Vicky Monroe is a freelance personal finance and lifestyle writer. When she’s not busy writing about her favorite money saving hacks or tinkering with her budget spreadsheets, she likes to travel, garden, and cook healthy vegetarian meals.

Reader Interactions

What did you think about this article?
1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (No Ratings Yet)
Loading...

Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Primary Sidebar

    • Articles
    • Tips
    • Make Money
    • Credit Score Guide
    • Forums
    • Blogs
    • Tools
    • About
    • Contact

    Subscribe to Our Newsletter
      Thank you for Signing Up
    Please correct the marked field(s) below.
    1,true,6,Contact Email,2 1,false,1,First Name,2 1,false,1,Last Name,2
    Copyright © 2025 SavingAdvice.com. All Rights Reserved.
    • Privacy Policy