California Salary Percentile
Calculator
California has the largest economy of any US state and one of the highest median salaries. Tech, entertainment, and agriculture drive wages, but the high cost of living means purchasing power varies widely by region.
Enter your gross annual salary (pre-tax). Hourly workers: multiply hourly rate by 2,080.
California salary percentiles — May 2025
| Percentile | California | National |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $36K | $31K |
| 25th | $43K | $38K |
| 50th (median)median | $58K | $51K |
| 75th | $92K | $81K |
| 90th | $147K | $129K |
State figures derived from BLS OEWS May 2025 state median. National figures from BLS national percentile data.
Key insight
California's state median of $58K is 22% above the national median of $51K, but San Francisco's cost of living index runs 80% above the US average.
California salary — frequently asked questions
What is the median salary in California?
The median annual salary in California is approximately $58K based on May 2025 BLS data. This is significantly higher than the national median of $51K, driven by the concentration of high-paying tech and finance jobs in the Bay Area and Los Angeles.
What salary puts you in the top 10% in California?
Reaching the top 10% of earners in California requires roughly $147K or more annually, based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. The state's high concentration of tech workers and executives pushes the upper percentile thresholds higher than most other states.
How does salary compare across California regions?
San Francisco Bay Area salaries run 30-40% above the state median. Los Angeles and San Diego are closer to the state median. Inland Empire and Central Valley wages sit well below it. A $90,000 salary in Fresno buys considerably more than in San Jose.
Does California have state income tax on salaries?
Yes. California has the highest marginal state income tax rate in the US at 13.3% for earners above $1 million, with rates starting at 1% for income above $10,099. Most middle-income earners pay 6-9.3% in state income tax, which significantly affects take-home pay compared to states with no income tax.
What is the average salary in California?
"Average" and "median" measure different things, but BLS reports the median: the midpoint where half of California workers earn more and half earn less. The California median is $58K, above the national median of $51K. Use the calculator above to see exactly where your salary ranks.
Salary percentiles by state
Alabama
$46K median
Alaska
$61K median
Arizona
$50K median
Arkansas
$44K median
California
$58K median
Colorado
$60K median
Connecticut
$60K median
Delaware
$52K median
Florida
$48K median
Georgia
$48K median
Hawaii
$56K median
Idaho
$48K median
Illinois
$52K median
Indiana
$48K median
Iowa
$49K median
Kansas
$48K median
Kentucky
$47K median
Louisiana
$46K median
Maine
$51K median
Maryland
$60K median
Massachusetts
$64K median
Michigan
$49K median
Minnesota
$57K median
Mississippi
$40K median
Missouri
$48K median
Montana
$49K median
Nebraska
$49K median
Nevada
$48K median
New Hampshire
$56K median
New Jersey
$59K median
New Mexico
$47K median
New York
$60K median
North Carolina
$48K median
North Dakota
$52K median
Ohio
$49K median
Oklahoma
$46K median
Oregon
$57K median
Pennsylvania
$50K median
Rhode Island
$57K median
South Carolina
$46K median
South Dakota
$47K median
Tennessee
$47K median
Texas
$49K median
Utah
$50K median
Vermont
$56K median
Virginia
$56K median
Washington
$63K median
Washington D.C.
$92K median
West Virginia
$45K median
Wisconsin
$50K median
Wyoming
$50K median