California Jobs and Career Information

RELATIVE POPULARITY

Top 100 Jobs Relatively More Common in California Than Elsewhere

Whether you're looking for a career to pursue, or just want to get a feel for occupations in the state, the table below should be helpful. And we haven't seen anything like it from anyone else.

This table tells us which jobs are more common in California, relative to the state population, compared to their popularity in every other US state. A Local Popularity Index of 1.0 matches the average across all US states; higher and lower numbers indicate the job is proportionally more or less popular here.

Rank	Job	Mean Local Salary 2006	Local Jobs 2006	Local Popularity Index
1	Shoe machine operators and tenders	$19,490	410	7.1
2	Entertainers and performers, sports and related workers	(varies)	52,100	7.0
3	Actors	(varies)	21,270	6.5
4	Agricultural workers	$24,735	1,150	6.0
5	Farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse	$17,976	130,800	5.8
6	Agricultural equipment operators	$21,531	4,620	5.4
7	Farm, ranch, and other agricultural managers	$61,656	360	5.0
8	Makeup artists, theatrical and performance	$39,490	160	4.9
9	Transit and railroad police	$39,310	110	4.7
10	First-line supervisors/managers of farming, fishing, and forestry workers	$37,304	5,130	4.4
11	Semiconductor processors	$34,321	10,740	4.2
12	Architecture teachers, postsecondary	$62,720	540	4.2
13	Tire builders	$41,720	480	4.0
14	Aerospace engineers	$92,800	13,650	3.6
15	Carpet installers	$39,760	8,260	3.3
16	Plasterers and stucco masons	$41,286	13,460	3.1
17	Textile bleaching and dyeing machine operators and tenders	$18,655	4,000	3.1
18	Fabric and apparel patternmakers	$40,455	2,230	3.1
19	Bicycle repairers	$22,215	490	3.1
20	Agents and business managers of artists, performers, and athletes	$65,356	3,060	3.0
21	Dancers	(varies)	2,720	3.0
22	Fence erectors	$30,840	1,250	2.9
23	Mathematical scientists	$61,170	660	2.8
24	Computer hardware engineers	$89,521	18,870	2.8
25	Graders and sorters, agricultural products	$17,230	7,770	2.8
26	Film and video editors	$47,045	3,780	2.8
27	Floor layers, except carpet, wood, and hard tiles	$44,963	1,890	2.8
28	Animal trainers	$26,662	1,060	2.7
29	Forest and conservation technicians	$31,715	2,640	2.6
30	Agricultural and food science technicians	$32,452	2,190	2.6
31	Sound engineering technicians	$47,717	3,060	2.6
32	Multi-media artists and animators	$65,375	5,610	2.5
33	Tile and marble setters	$43,371	9,440	2.4
34	Camera and photographic equipment repairers	$43,325	210	2.4
35	Cutters and trimmers, hand	$23,404	4,940	2.3
36	Sewing machine operators	$21,155	50,710	2.3
37	Drywall and ceiling tile installers	$44,121	31,210	2.3
38	Property, real estate, and community association managers	$41,189	39,440	2.2
39	Food and tobacco roasting, baking, and drying machine operators and tenders	$24,546	1,700	2.2
40	Electronic equipment installers and repairers, motor vehicles	$32,252	2,010	2.2
41	Directors, religious activities and education	$37,066	2,090	2.2
42	Gaming service workers	$28,382	2,680	2.2
43	Forest and conservation workers	$29,072	370	2.1
44	Biomedical engineers	$84,658	1,720	2.1
45	Camera operators, television, video, and motion picture	$49,841	4,700	2.1
46	Social sciences teachers, postsecondary	$84,395	390	2.1
47	Tapers	$47,335	8,090	2.1
48	Fashion designers	$63,782	2,860	2.0
49	Massage therapists	$36,403	6,990	2.0
50	Aerospace engineering and operations technicians	$59,990	760	2.0
51	Musicians and singers	(varies)	8,530	2.0
52	Tank car, truck, and ship loaders	$38,105	1,580	2.0
53	Postsecondary teachers	$77,385	38,100	2.0
54	Sewers, hand	$19,485	1,050	2.0
55	Textile cutting machine setters, operators, and tenders	$22,031	3,100	2.0
56	Medical scientists, except epidemiologists	$73,066	13,280	2.0
57	Producers and directors	$60,263	13,060	1.9
58	Reinforcing iron and rebar workers	$43,875	3,540	1.9
59	Electromechanical equipment assemblers	$31,206	9,640	1.9
60	Slaughterers and meat packers	$21,602	2,200	1.9
61	Biochemists and biophysicists	$76,122	2,030	1.9
62	Electro-mechanical technicians	$48,930	1,880	1.9
63	Choreographers	$39,828	1,490	1.9
64	Manicurists and pedicurists	$18,285	7,510	1.8
65	Production workers	$22,168	48,510	1.8
66	Set and exhibit designers	$52,650	970	1.8
67	Materials scientists	$83,898	540	1.8
68	Drafters	$47,999	2,080	1.8
69	Office and administrative support workers	$24,584	54,930	1.8
70	Farmworkers, farm and ranch animals	$21,487	3,660	1.8
71	Bus drivers, transit and intercity	$29,293	22,020	1.8
72	Flight attendants	$53,580	6,010	1.8
73	Electronics engineers, except computer	$83,399	24,160	1.8
74	Grinding and polishing workers, hand	$25,072	6,540	1.8
75	Cargo and freight agents	$37,592	12,050	1.8
76	Computer and information scientists, research	$107,208	3,980	1.8
77	Landscape architects	$67,800	2,910	1.7
78	Agricultural inspectors	$41,684	830	1.7
79	Aircraft cargo handling supervisors	$44,822	710	1.7
80	Material moving workers	$36,791	6,200	1.7
81	Mathematicians	$108,310	210	1.7
82	Parking enforcement workers	$39,200	900	1.7
83	Computer specialists	$66,733	22,080	1.7
84	Medical appliance technicians	$41,000	690	1.7
85	Urban and regional planners	$66,805	4,750	1.6
86	Public address system and other announcers	$41,060	880	1.6
87	Computer software engineers, applications	$81,722	88,480	1.6
88	Motorboat operators	$50,410	140	1.6
89	Health technologists and technicians	$40,593	10,740	1.6
90	Engineering managers	$105,134	33,630	1.6
91	Engineers	$84,424	21,910	1.6
92	Audio and video equipment technicians	$37,050	6,410	1.6
93	Woodworkers	$21,450	260	1.6
94	Weighers, measurers, checkers, and samplers, recordkeeping	$27,682	11,240	1.6
95	Psychiatric technicians	$40,921	6,420	1.5
96	Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop	$18,086	85,220	1.5
97	Anthropologists and archeologists	$55,364	440	1.5
98	Cleaning, washing, and metal pickling equipment operators and tenders	$22,148	1,010	1.5
99	Tree trimmers and pruners	$32,393	1,290	1.5
100	Tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers	$25,476	3,530	1.5

ABSOLUTE POPULARITY

The Most Common Jobs in California

Unlike the table above, which shows where jobs in California are unusually common compared to other states, the table below lists jobs which are the most common in raw numbers in the state.

Rank	Job	Local Jobs 2006	Mean Local Salary 2006	Local Popularity Index
1	Retail salespersons	467,220	$23,912	0.9
2	Office clerks, general	389,960	$25,982	1.2
3	Cashiers	350,570	$20,758	0.9
4	Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand	251,590	$22,485	1.0
5	Waiters and waitresses	218,410	$17,032	0.9
6	Registered nurses	215,770	$69,029	0.8
7	General and operations managers	214,210	$97,268	1.1
8	Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food	206,660	$17,717	0.8
9	Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks	202,770	$33,152	1.0
10	Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners	200,300	$23,110	0.8
11	Customer service representatives	195,670	$31,712	0.8
12	Stock clerks and order fillers	183,980	$23,947	1.0
13	Executive secretaries and administrative assistants	180,230	$39,910	1.1
14	Elementary school teachers, except special education	172,510	$52,058	1.2
15	First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers	170,680	$46,234	1.1
16	Teacher assistants	161,380	$24,956	1.3
17	Business operations specialists	143,700	$54,542	1.3
18	Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products	137,110	$57,786	0.8
19	Carpenters	131,780	$45,364	1.3
20	Farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse	130,800	$17,976	5.8
21	Receptionists and information clerks	128,470	$24,015	1.0
22	Security guards	128,150	$23,380	1.1
23	Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer	123,690	$36,210	0.8
24	Maintenance and repair workers, general	123,680	$34,489	0.9
25	Landscaping and groundskeeping workers	120,680	$25,258	1.2
26	Construction laborers	117,420	$32,305	1.1
27	First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers	116,980	$38,091	1.0
28	Accountants and auditors	114,740	$58,939	0.9
29	Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive	114,710	$31,033	0.6
30	Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks	107,280	$27,320	1.3
31	Food preparation workers	106,990	$19,011	1.1
32	Packers and packagers, hand	106,120	$18,491	1.2
33	Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education	105,640	$56,519	1.1
34	Truck drivers, light or delivery services	101,260	$26,144	0.9
35	Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants	96,290	$24,242	0.7
36	Cooks, fast food	94,320	$16,815	1.4
37	Team assemblers	93,590	$24,573	0.8
38	Cooks, restaurant	88,580	$21,414	1.0
39	Computer software engineers, applications	88,480	$81,722	1.6
40	Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop	85,220	$18,086	1.5
41	Maids and housekeeping cleaners	83,900	$19,048	0.9
42	First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers	74,430	$27,128	0.9
43	Counter and rental clerks	70,020	$24,418	1.4
44	Teachers and instructors	68,560	$49,950	1.5
45	Automotive service technicians and mechanics	68,150	$38,069	0.9
46	Tellers	65,860	$23,934	1.1
47	First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers	64,010	$50,590	0.9
48	Financial managers	63,280	$90,451	1.1
49	Industrial truck and tractor operators	62,600	$30,723	0.9
50	Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers	61,690	$16,590	1.4
51	Police and sheriff's patrol officers	61,660	$59,247	1.1
52	Sales representatives, services	59,080	$53,703	1.2
53	First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers	58,780	$61,619	0.9
54	Lawyers	58,770	$116,133	0.9
55	Electricians	57,780	$48,634	0.8
56	Computer support specialists	57,210	$42,357	1.0
57	Billing and posting clerks and machine operators	55,490	$30,287	0.9
58	Office and administrative support workers	54,930	$24,584	1.8
59	Management analysts	54,000	$73,064	1.0
60	Dishwashers	53,900	$16,642	1.0
61	Entertainers and performers, sports and related workers	52,100	(varies)	7.0
62	Computer systems analysts	51,020	$67,816	0.9
63	Sewing machine operators	50,710	$21,155	2.3
64	Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses	50,340	$42,468	0.7
65	Medical assistants	50,300	$28,680	1.1
66	Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers	50,210	$32,755	1.0
67	Middle school teachers, except special and vocational education	48,690	$55,523	0.8
68	Production workers	48,510	$22,168	1.8
69	Sales managers	47,610	$98,836	1.3
70	Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters	46,850	$44,105	1.0
71	Child care workers	46,160	$20,794	0.8
72	Cleaners of vehicles and equipment	46,050	$19,461	1.2
73	Helpers--production workers	45,200	$22,215	0.9
74	Bill and account collectors	44,690	$32,317	0.9
75	Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders	44,450	$25,199	1.1
76	Computer software engineers, systems software	44,340	$87,128	1.3
77	Bartenders	43,800	$17,938	0.8
78	First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers	41,540	$57,360	0.8
79	Dental assistants	41,090	$31,185	1.4
80	Preschool teachers, except special education	40,750	$25,693	1.1
81	Home health aides	40,090	$19,311	0.6
82	Managers	40,030	$84,749	1.0
83	Property, real estate, and community association managers	39,440	$41,189	2.2
84	Painters, construction and maintenance	38,280	$35,096	1.3
85	Loan officers	38,230	$64,652	1.0
86	Postsecondary teachers	38,100	$77,385	2.0
87	Order clerks	37,920	$28,804	1.4
88	Postal service mail carriers	37,910	$44,939	1.0
89	Civil engineers	37,760	$73,516	1.4
90	Production, planning, and expediting clerks	36,930	$40,756	1.2
91	Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop	36,570	$17,024	1.0
92	Recreation workers	36,020	$22,822	1.3
93	Driver/sales workers	35,830	$24,187	0.8
94	Legal secretaries	35,370	$41,738	1.2
95	Chief executives	35,040	$150,193	1.0
96	Data entry keyers	34,780	$25,966	1.0
97	Computer programmers	34,400	$67,181	0.7
98	Computer and information systems managers	34,200	$100,322	1.1
99	Engineering managers	33,630	$105,134	1.6
100	Telemarketers	32,320	$25,546	0.8

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California Jobs and Career Information

RELATIVE POPULARITY

ABSOLUTE POPULARITY

Career Schools in California

The SeniorJobBankSM

Helping Employers connect with the over-50 Talent Pool.

California Jobs and Career Information

RELATIVE POPULARITY

ABSOLUTE POPULARITY

Career Schools in California

The SeniorJobBank^SM