Salaries in California.

5 metro areas. 3445 roles.

Average cost-of-living index: 1.24x national average. Last updated April 2026.

Salary data sourced from Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, H-1B Labor Condition Applications (DOL), state pay-transparency job postings, and community submissions. Ranges reflect 25th to 75th percentile for full-time positions. Cost-of-living adjustments use Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parities (2025 index). Last updated June 2026.

California has 5 major metro areas tracked in our salary database, with an average cost-of-living index of 1.24x the national average. The highest-paying role across the state is Technical Fellow at $502,000 in San Jose. The median role pays $433,000.

Metro areas in California

Top 30 salaries in California

Tax considerations in California

California's top marginal state income tax rate is 13.3%, the highest in the U.S. San Francisco has no additional city income tax, but overall tax burden remains steep.

California's 13.3% top state income tax rate applies to LA earners as well. There is no city income tax, but the high state rate makes take home pay lower than cities in no income tax states.

California's top 13.3% state tax applies here. While San Diego has no city income tax, the state burden means you should negotiate gross pay higher than you might expect for the cost of living.

California's top 13.3% state rate applies fully here. While gross salaries in San Jose are among the nation's highest, the tax burden means net pay may not stretch as far as expected.

California's 13.3% top state rate applies. Sacramento has no city income tax. Despite the high state rate, the significantly lower housing costs compared to the Bay Area improve take home purchasing power.

Other states

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