Here’s the Average Salary for a Business Professional in California

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According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the actual average hourly wage — across private, non-farm industries — is $35.87. This works out to about $74,600 for full-time employees.

But wages aren’t the same across all states or industries. ZipRecruiter reports that the typical yearly salary in California is $62,038. For those with a business degree, as many business professionals have, it’s $84,063 a year, also per ZipRecruiter.

These numbers don’t tell the whole story, however. Here’s the typical average salary for business professionals in some of California’s biggest cities.

Los Angeles

• Business Analyst: $95,358 (11% above national average)
• CEO: $180,019 (20% above national average)
• Director of Operations: $135,712 (26% above national average)

San Diego

• Business Analyst: $83,303 (same as national average)
• CEO: $176,369 (17% above national average)
• Director of Operations: $143,062 (33% above national average)

San Francisco

• Business Analyst: $110,063 (29% above national average)
• CEO: $217,617 (45% above national average)
• Director of Operations: $158,469 (47% above national average)

San Jose

• Business Analyst: $98,456 (15% above national average)
• CEO: $217,221 (47% above national average)
• Director of Operations: $160,720 (50% above national average)

Bakersfield

• Business Analyst: $58,748 (31% below national average)
• CEO: $115,389 (23% below national average)
• Director of Operations: $118,654 (10% above national average)

Fresno

• Business Analyst: $45,555 (47% below national average)
• CEO: $145,385 (same as national average)
• Director of Operations: $116,518 (8% above national average)

Sacramento

• Business Analyst: $95,498 (12% above national average)
• CEO: $173,690 (16% above national average)
• Director of Operations: $123,888 (15% above national average)

Santa Barbara

• Business Analyst: $94,978 (11% above national average)
• CEO: $138,667 (8% below national average)
• Director of Operations: $109,945 (same as national average)

Fremont

• Business Analyst: $90,980 (6% above national average)
• CEO: $192,013 (28% above national average)
• Director of Operations: $157,124 (46% above national average)

Oakland

• Business Analyst: $133,595 (56% above national average)
• CEO: $182,430 (22% above national average)
• Director of Operations: $126,049 (17% above national average)

Irvine

• Business Analyst: $81,664 (same as national average)
• CEO: $102,611 (32% below national average)
• Director of Operations: $135,196 (26% above national average)

A ‘Good’ Salary Varies Considerably

You can make a decent living as a business professional in California, but your salary won’t go as far in every city. Say you’re just starting out and earn $70,000 as a business professional — perhaps as an analyst.

“In Los Angeles or San Francisco, $70,000 goes quickly after rent, taxes and daily costs,” said Ali Zane, CEO and credit consultant at Imax Credit Repair in Los Angeles. “That same paycheck goes much further in Sacramento or San Diego, though. Where you make it is just as important as what you make.”

Business salaries do tend to be higher in California, but there’s more to earning a comfortable living than the baseline income.

“Yes, salaries in California are higher than in most states, but that’s not the real benefit. The real benefit is the chance to make more money,” said Zane. “California [is] home to businesses that aren’t as big as [in] other places. … But there is a lot of competition. You might make less money in Texas or Florida, but the cost of living gives you more room to move. In California, there is a tax on job growth. If you don’t keep leveling up, you’ll fall behind.”

If you want to earn more than the average pay, you might need to look beyond your salary.

“Ask for bonuses, restricted stock units and a share of the profits,” said Zane. “These perks can easily add 20% to 50% to your pay over time.”

Zane also suggested keeping an eye on your current tax bracket. California’s individual income tax ranges from 1% to 13.3%. Corporate income taxes, sales taxes and property taxes all have their own rates, so be aware of these, as well.

Editor’s note: Average salary data was sourced from Indeed, unless otherwise stated, and is accurate as of Feb. 20, 2025.

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