15 Highest Paying Careers in California | Salary Scale

Getting a good job is awesome, however, many people are frustrated at their jobs. Most times, it’s because it doesn’t pay well, especially when you’re living in a place like California. So, before you thread into that career path, here are the highest-paying careers/jobs in California.

According to BLS, the demand for jobs in health care is expected to skyrocket over the next decade. However, some of the biggest growth opportunities will be concentrated in low-wage and high-demand jobs like home health aides and caretakers.

In this article, we will be telling you about the highest paying careers in California as well as other necessary information. The table of content below clearly outlines all you’ll learn here.

What is a High Paying Job?

A high paying job is simply a job that pays you well. But, I know that’s not the definition you want to take away. So, a high paying job is a job wherein you earn above $150,000 per year.

Most of the time, high paying jobs have a low entry point where you earn less than half of the above amount.

However, as you work your way up with practice and greater expertise, you can become a highly paid expert in any field with great demand for expertise.

A lot of options exist wherein you can become highly paid for your craft but the choice is 100% yours. You must ensure you actually fit the requirements and you have the willpower to push forward.

Why You Need a High Paying Job?

Of course, money shouldn’t be the main reason that drags you to a job, but you should highly consider money because it still affects a lot of things.

A high paid job satisfies one’s basic needs and at the same time provides the key to spending the surplus on fulfilling one’s dreams like buying homes, cars, and other luxury lifestyles.

Moreso, your work environment is healthy and productivity usually peaks. All these amazing advantages cannot be seen in a low paying job which can keep you stressing about the bills all the time.

15 Highest Paying Careers in California in 2024

Our list of highest paying careers in California was drawn from our proper research and analysis of data. We considered the salaries of these jobs while also putting their work hours and flexibility into consideration.

Hence, the highest paying careers in California include;

15. Judges

Salary: $184,340

A judge is a person who presides over court proceedings, either alone or as a member of a panel of judges. The powers, functions, method of appointment, discipline, and training of judges vary widely across different jurisdictions.

The judge is supposed to conduct the trial impartially and, typically, in an open court.

To become a judge, you need to be a graduate of a law school. Judges are lawyers who have received a higher call to the position of deciding cases. The appointment of a judge is dependent on the country in question.

While some are elected by higher judges, others are elected by the government of the state or nation.

Judges need to research and process extensive lengths of documents, witness testimonies, and other materials concerning the case.

Moreso, they understand complex cases and have a thorough understanding of the law and legal procedure, which needs excellent skills in logical reasoning, analysis, and decision-making.

14. Dentists

Salary: $184,560

Dentistry also called dental medicine and oral medicine is a branch of medicine that deals with the study, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases, disorders, and conditions of the oral cavity.

A dental team executes dental treatments, which often consists of a dentist and dental auxiliaries (dental assistants, dental hygienists, dental technicians, as well as dental therapists).

A good number of dentists practice in hospitals, and prisons, while a good number of them practice privately as well.

Dentistry is one of the highest paying careers in California as teeth problems always occur. Whether as an adult or as a child, you face the same issue every time. No matter how much you take care of your teeth, you can’t avoid it.

13. Computer And Information Systems Managers

Salary: $185,640

Computer information systems managers usually work in offices and can work as many as 40 hours a week.

However, if a deadline is approaching or a problem occurs, the computer information systems manager might work on weekends in order to meet up. They are very integral.

Computer information systems managers normally possess a bachelor’s degree in a computer-related subject like management information systems, information science, or computer science.

Funnily enough, some employers prefer managers with an educational experience at the graduate level.

A bachelor’s degree program can take about four years to complete, with an additional two years being necessary if a master’s degree is pursued. Their earnings are off the roof as they remain one of the highest paying careers in California.

12. Paediatricians

Salary: $200,270

Pediatricians are doctors who manage children’s health issues, including physical, behavioral, and mental health issues.

They possess the expertise to diagnose and treat childhood illnesses, from minor health problems to serious diseases.

Pediatricians are medical doctors who have graduated from medical school. Furthermore, they have completed a 3-year residency program in pediatrics.

This residency gives them hands-on experience when it comes to child health cases.

With the population increase due to childbirth, it’s safe to say that we will always need pediatricians to help us look after our babies. This way, children can be healthier and avoid damaging deficiencies.

11. Family Medicine Physicians

Salary: $203,320

Family physicians are trained medical personnel with an exclusive attitude, skills, and knowledge that enable them to provide continuing and comprehensive medical care.

To be precise, they provide health maintenance and preventive services to each member of the family regardless of gender, age, or type of problem.

A good number of reasons make family physicians special. However, their knowledge of the family’s background is one of the top reasons.

Hence, a lot of families feel safer when they have a physician instead of always looking for a new physician anytime a health case comes up.

A lot of families can share a physician and the physician can still have his personal health center or be serving a community. Most physicians get retainer fees, hence they remain one of the highest paying careers in California.

10. Airline Pilots

Salary: $208,070

An aircraft pilot or aviator is the chief controller of an aircraft by operating its directional flight controls. Although he is the lead navigator, he doesn’t do this alone as some other aircrew members such as navigators or flight engineers are also considered aviators.

Becoming an aircraft pilot is not an easy deal. Most times, navigating the aircraft isn’t the biggest issue.

Of course, you’re leading other flight personnel so you must ensure everyone is focused and working harmoniously.

Before you can step into the cockpit, you must have at least 1,500 hours of flight time and this will include your training time. Additionally, you must be at least 23 years old and hold a commercial pilot certificate. In military flight, the qualifications are different.

As long as people keep moving from city to city, pilots will always be busy ensuring they get to their destination safe and sound. Hence, they earn very handsomely for the duty they do all over the world.

9. Physicians

Salary:$210,140

Physicians basically carry out the duty of family physicians as we described above. However, their own duties don’t revolve around the family. They basically work in hospitals, health centers, and the like.

Every physician undergoes medical training, which enables him to diagnose and proffer solutions to medical problems adequately.

A physician abroad earns good money and hence remains among the highest paying careers in California and the world.

8. General Internal Medicine Physicians

Salary: $212,510

Internal medicine physicians are specialist physicians who manage particularly complex or multisystem disease conditions that single-organ disease specialists may not be trained to deal with.

Some of these complex cases include weight loss, chest pain, dyspnoea, fatigue, and changes in consciousness. Additionally, they manage multiple chronic diseases that can occur in a single patient.

Most times, you might confuse an internal medicine physician with a medical intern. Well, the former are qualified medical physicians with a postgraduate degree in internal medicine. Hence, they are a step ahead and more qualified than ordinary physicians.

7. Chief Executives

Salary: $216,520

Every Chief Executive Office has a unique way of achieving results and their duties vary generally. The CEO of a construction firm will not actively perform the same duties as the CEO of a small store. (financial-cents.com) However, we know they share the same duties of hiring and firing.

A great Chief Executive Officer must inspire and communicate actively to his junior colleagues or staff members. Moreso, he must reward quality performance and be a person of integrity.

You can’t become a CEO by getting a bachelor’s degree in any program, a CEO is someone who oversees the operations of a business, hence, he is a businessman. Your ability to solve problems consistently and get rewarded for it can put you in a good position to become a Chief Executive Officer.

6. Orthodontists

Salary: $220,410

A dentist can help you clean your teeth and remove a bad tooth as well, however, when it comes to realigning your teeth, you need to see another professional known as the orthodontist.

Orthodontists help with crooked teeth, but they also assist patients with other issues as well.

Some of these issues include overbites and underbites, crossbites, spaces between teeth, overcrowding of teeth, and the treatment of temporomandibular disorders (TMD). Additional problems with the jaw also need to be treated by an orthodontist.

Due to the delicacy of their work description, orthodontists charge highly for their expertise. Moreso, they are very few who are qualified to carry out this practice. Hence, when it comes to these professionals, they’re one of the highest paying careers in California.

Read Also: 30 Highest Paying Side Hustle Ideas For Students

5. Oral And Maxillofacial Surgeons

Salary: $222,180

Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery has to do with surgery that involves keeping all the skeletal structure of your mouth and jaw in place. People usually undergo this surgery after losing teeth or breaking their jaw in a car accident.

Surgeries in this area are usually emergencies, and specialized personnel are very rare.

The Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon must understand dentistry and other forms of general medicine in order to take on the process. Hence, due to the complications, few people want to study it.

Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons make a lot of money from their expertise, as accidents that involve the mouth and jaw are a daily occurrence.

Other times, some people just want to change their jawline or something. Hence, when it comes to high paying careers, they make the list.

4. Nurse Anesthetists

Salary: $227,290

Nurse anesthetists are advanced practice registered nurses that assist patients during surgical, diagnostic, and obstetric procedures. These nurses actually have an advanced degree in nursing practice.

CRNAs also conduct patient evaluations in order to determine the best type of anesthesia to use. They get their results by discussing existing allergies and medical conditions to administer the proper treatment.

CRNAs possess critical thinking skills to assess changes in their patients’ conditions and quickly decide on the most appropriate plan of action.

These professionals also maintain adept communication skills to collaborate with other healthcare professionals during procedures and interact with patients.

3. Obstetricians And Gynecologists

Salary: $236,730

Obstetricians and gynecologists may have similar health roles, but there are some mild differences. While an obstetrician deals with pre-conception, pregnancy, and childbirth, a gynecologist addresses all issues involving women.

Despite these differences, these two professionals earn the same amount of money from their expertise. While they can practice in community settings, they can practice privately as well.

2. Psychiatrists

Salary: $236,930

A psychiatrist is a physician who specializes in psychiatry, the branch of medicine devoted to the diagnosis, prevention, study, and treatment of mental disorders.

These professionals evaluate patients to determine whether their symptoms are from a physical illness.

As a branch of medicine, psychology has so many other aspects, which include: forensic psychiatry, addiction psychiatry, child and adolescent psychiatry, geriatric psychiatry, and hospice and palliative medicine.

To become a psychiatrist, you must possess a medical degree and a postgraduate degree in psychology as well.

Psychiatrists have delicate duties and so they charge highly for it. So, when it comes to high paying careers in the world, psychiatrists make the list.

1. Surgeons

Salary: $248,100

A surgeon is a physician who treats disease, injury, or deformity via operative or manual methods to physically change body tissues.

However, there are different surgery and different surgeons perform every one of these processes.

Surgeons are medical degree holders with key specializations in different areas. While there are abdominal surgeons, there is also leg and head surgeon.

No matter the area of surgery you do, surgeons get well paid for their expertise because of the complications required to get the job done.

So, for the highest paying careers in California and the world at large, surgeons top the list.

FAQs on Highest Paying Careers in California

Conclusion

For jobs, there’s almost no perfect job. You actually create the ideal job for yourself. And indeed it requires a lot of hard work, patience, and perseverance in order to pull through.

Although the jobs above are high paying jobs, their expertise takes a lot of time to achieve. Study and study in order to practice something like medicine.

In summary, you need to have a lot of guts and desire to excel at whatever career path you choose. Only then, you can make it the best for you.

References

• reverehealth.com/live-better/5-essential-roles-family-practitioner-doctor/
• aafp.org/about/policies/all/fp-definition
• en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aircraft_pilot
• en.wikipedia.org/Role_of_internal_medicine_physicians
• careerexplorer.com/careers/chief-executive
• 123dentist.com/what-is-an-oral-and-maxillofacial-surgeon
• nursepractitionerschools.com/faq/what-is-a-nurse-anesthetist
• medschool.ucla.edu
• medicinenet.com/script/main
• content.wisestep.com/advantages-disadvantages-high-paying-jobs/

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