5 In-Demand, High-Paying Jobs in California
Written by
Jordan Rosenfeld
Edited by
Molly Sullivan
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California is no slouch when it comes to jobs — it’s held steady as the fifth biggest economy in the world, that’s right, the world, since 2017. Since July 2024, its employment numbers are up 1.6% year-over-year as well, adding 21,100 nonfarm jobs, and is 2.3% above its prepandemic level in February 2020, according to the California Employment Development Department (EDD).
One of the many things powering this economy are also some of the most high-paying and in-demand jobs.
For people who are thinking of checking out the Golden State, here are eight of those hot jobs.
Nurse Practitioners
Nurse practitioners are nurses who upskill to have almost all of the same capabilities as a medical doctor in areas of diagnosis and treatment. They are in demand in California, according to the California EDD. While you do need to obtain a master’s degree as well as undergo nursing school to achieve this level of skill, it comes with a median pay rate of around $126,000, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Software Developers
With Silicon Valley often making news, it’s probably no surprise that software developers remain an in-demand job in California. These critical engineers and developers do everything from building and testing video games to the software you use for work or school. According to The California EDD, the median annual wage is around $128,000 for these jobs, but can range to over $200,000, according to Glassdoor.
Salespeople
If you’re good at bringing money in for companies, you’re likely to see a lucrative payout, according to Daniel Space, senior HR business partner director and HR content creator at DanFromHR.
“B2B (business to business) sales is one of the easiest ways to cross six to seven figures within seven to 10 years and doesn’t have too difficult of a barrier of entry,” he said.
Human Resource Business Partners
Human resource business partners (HRBP) are people who deal with a variety of HR tasks, from hiring and benefits oversight to compliance and employee relations, according to ADP. Space said that these jobs are more in demand than ever.
“Tech above all other industries became one of the pioneers and evangelists to the importance of HR business partners in order to build a high performing and strategic organization,” Space said.
According to Salary.com, the average HRBP in California makes over $116,000.
Financial Analysts
People who know their numbers and have the ability “to forecast, interpret spending, recommend plans of actions and money management” are likely to make good money in California, Space said. These important folks earn somewhere between $100,000 and $150,000 in California, according to Glassdoor.
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