Highest Paying Jobs in California 2026: Complete Guide to Top Salaries, Projections & Careers
California's job market in 2026 remains a goldmine for high earners, fueled by tech innovation in Silicon Valley, booming healthcare demand, and finance hubs in the Bay Area. Drawing from BLS, DOL, Doximity, and recent projections, this guide uncovers the top-paying careers, salary forecasts by city, job outlooks to 2030, and practical steps to break into these fields. Whether you're a student, career changer, or job seeker, learn how to target roles paying $300K+ amid AI shifts, shortages, and state investments like Governor Newsom's Jobs First creating 61K jobs.
Quick Answer: The Best Paying Job in California in 2026
The single highest paying job in California in 2026 is Neurosurgeon, with average salaries ranging from $600K–$860K annually (higher than the US average of $749K per Doximity/TAG MedStaffing). California's premium--driven by LA hubs and shortages--pushes top earners over $1M in private practice.
Here are the top 3:
| Rank | Job | Avg CA Salary 2026 | Key Cities | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Neurosurgeon | $600K–$860K | Los Angeles, Bay Area | Doximity, TAG MedStaffing, LPAInHand |
| 2 | Cardiologist | $587K+ | LA, SF | Doximity, Amtec |
| 3 | Airline Pilot | $321K (median $226K–$448K w/bonuses) | SF hubs, LA | BLS/Amtec, Epic Flight, Simple Flying |
Top 5 table expands this: Orthopedic Surgeons (~$679K US/CA higher), Radiologists ($370K CA).
Key Takeaways
- #1 Job: Neurosurgeon ($600K–$860K), dominating healthcare.
- Top Sectors: Healthcare (23% growth for managers), Tech (32% cybersecurity surge), Finance/Execs (Bay CEOs multimillion comp).
- Growth to 2030: 32% cybersecurity, 23% medical managers (BLS/USC); apprenticeships hit 69K via $91M state funding.
- Entry-Level/Remote: Tech bootcamps for $100K+ software roles; remote cybersecurity for CA residents.
- Women-Focused: Physicians/data scientists ($80K–$160K+), closing gaps in DHHS (Research.com).
Top 10 Highest Paying Jobs in California 2026 (BLS & Projections Data)
Based on BLS 2025-2026 data, Amtec, Metana, and Doximity, here's the ranked list. Salaries reflect CA premiums (e.g., Berkeley +24%). Note: Pediatric surgery ($450K US) lags neurosurgery due to procedural volume.
| Rank | Job | CA Avg Salary 2026 | City Variance (SF/LA/Bay) | Job Outlook 2026-2030 | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Neurosurgeon | $600K–$860K | LA highest | 5-7% shortages | TAG/Doximity, LPAInHand |
| 2 | Cardiologist | $587K | Bay +10% | Stable/high demand | Doximity |
| 3 | Orthopedic Surgeon | $679K (US)/$700K+ CA | SF/LA | 3% growth | Amtec/Doximity |
| 4 | Airline Pilot | $321K (up to $448K) | SF hubs | 4% growth | BLS/Amtec, Simple Flying |
| 5 | Radiologist | $370K | LA | Strong | Amtec |
| 6 | Ophthalmologist | $340K | Bay | Steady | Amtec |
| 7 | General Surgeon | $340K+ (neurospecialties higher) | Statewide | Shortages | Metana |
| 8 | Psychiatrist | $328K | SF | High demand | Amtec |
| 9 | Dermatologist | $313K | LA | Growing | Amtec |
| 10 | Software Engineer | $150K–$250K+ (SF) | SF/Bay +30% | 32% cyber variant | Gusto/Splunk, Metana |
Healthcare Professions: Dominating Top Salaries
Healthcare leads with physicians averaging $427K–$600K nationally (CA higher). Neurosurgeons top at $749K US/$600K–$860K CA; LA neurosurgeons benefit from film tax credits boosting $5B activity/33K jobs (Gov Newsom). Other stars: Radiologist $370K, Ophthalmologist $340K, Psychiatrist $328K, Dermatologist $313K (Amtec).
Non-physicians: CRNAs $223K, NPs $129K (BLS/Research.com). Growth: 23% for medical managers amid aging population (USC). Burnout risk: 49-58% (Statista).
Tech & Software Jobs in Silicon Valley & SF
Silicon Valley shines: Software engineers in SF forecast $150K–$250K+ (Gusto), avg IT $104K (Splunk). Cybersecurity surges 32% by 2032 (Metana), with 700K US vacancies. Splunk notes 87% leaders pay premiums for skills. SF beats state avg by 30%.
Finance, Executives & Lawyers
Bay Area CEOs see multimillion comp (stock options up, Southlea). Finance: Tech coverage/IB robust (Wall Street Oasis). Lawyers in top firms: $200K+ base, but trail docs/tech.
Other High-Payers: Pilots, Petroleum Engineers, Airlines
Airline pilots: $321K CA median (Amtec), captains $350K–$448K w/bonuses (Simple Flying). CA hubs like SFO/LAX drive premiums; private jets $180K–$230K. Petroleum engineers: Strong in oil fields, ~$200K+ (projections).
Highest Paying Jobs by City: SF, LA, Bay Area Breakdown 2026
| City | Top Job | Salary | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | Software Engineer | $200K+ | Tech forecast (Gusto) |
| Los Angeles | Neurosurgeon | $700K+ | Healthcare hub |
| Bay Area | CEO/Exec | $1M+ | Comp trends (Southlea); Berkeley +24% premium |
Job Outlook & Fastest Growing High-Pay Careers 2026-2030
AI/sustainability drive growth: Cybersecurity 32%, medical managers 23% (BLS/USC/LinkedIn). Gerontology rises with retirements. Newsom's Jobs First: 61K jobs/142K trained, $91M apprenticeships (69K participants).
Entry-Level, Remote & Women-Focused High Salary Jobs in CA
Entry-Level: Coding bootcamps for tech ($100K), apprenticeships (Gov funding).
Remote: Cybersecurity/IT for CA residents ($104K avg).
Women: Physicians ($427K+), data scientists $80K–$160K, PAs $90K–$150K (Upgrad/Research.com). Pay gap narrowing (9.2% DHHS).
Checklist: Bootcamps > Certifications > LinkedIn networking.
Healthcare vs Tech vs Finance: Which Pays Best in CA 2026? (Comparison)
| Sector | Top Salary | Pros | Cons | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | $600K+ (Neurosurgeon) | Highest pay, shortages | Burnout 49-58%, 3-9yr training | 23% |
| Tech | $250K (SF Engineer) | Remote, 32% growth | Volatility | High |
| Finance | $1M+ (CEO) | Bonuses | Competitive | Stable |
Pilots: $200K–$448K variance resolved--airline > private.
How to Land a Top-Paying Job in California: Step-by-Step Guide
- Education: MD/residency (docs), bootcamps (tech), FAA (pilots).
- Certifications: Cybersecurity creds, medical boards.
- Networking: LinkedIn/Bay events (Splunk).
- Apprenticeships: 69K spots ($91M funding, Gov).
- Apply: Target shortages (5-7% physician pay bumps).
Pros & Cons of Pursuing California's Highest Paying Careers
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Salaries $300K+, growth | Training 3-9yrs, burnout |
| State investments (61K jobs) | Medicare cuts 2.4%, AI shifts |
| Perks (pilot time off) | Lifestyle (pilot hours vs private) |
Challenges & Future Trends for High-Pay Jobs 2026
Shortages boost pay 5-7%, but Medicare dips 2.4% (VitalHealth). AI elevates human skills (USC); ESG incentives for execs. Newsom's 61K jobs counter dips.
FAQ
What is the highest paying job in California 2026?
Neurosurgeon ($600K–$860K).
Software engineer salary San Francisco 2026 forecast?
$150K–$250K+ (Gusto/Splunk).
Neurosurgeon salary Los Angeles 2026?
$700K+ premium (Doximity).
Top paying jobs for women in California 2026?
Physicians, data scientists $80K–$160K+ (Research.com).
Fastest growing high pay jobs California 2026?
Cybersecurity (32%), medical managers (23%).
Entry-level high salary jobs California 2026?
Tech bootcamps/apprenticeships ($100K+ potential).