Average Salary in California
Average wage, unemployment, and how California ranks — from official BLS data.
The average worker in California earns about $101,608 a year across all industries — about $34,669 above the national average. Roughly 18,351,660 jobs are covered in the state.
How it works
The average annual wage for California is the BLS QCEW average weekly wage across all covered industries, annualized (2025 Q4). The unemployment rate is the seasonally adjusted state figure from BLS LAUS. These are averages — a typical (median) worker usually earns less than the average, which is pulled up by high earners.
Good to know
- Average wage is employer-reported and covers ~95% of US jobs; it runs higher than the median.
- Weigh California's wage against its cost of living and rent before comparing states.
- Figures refresh as BLS releases new quarters.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary in California?
The average annual wage in California is about $101,608, based on the BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (2025 Q4) — the average across all covered industries.
What is the unemployment rate in California?
California's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate is 5.3% (BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics).
How does California rank for pay?
California ranks #4 of 51 states (and DC) by average wage.