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Top 200 Popular Jobs in California

What professions have the highest employment in California? In this article we show the top 200 jobs that employ the highest number of people in California. We note that the total employment in California is 17,635,840. The most popular job is the home health and personal care aides profession, which employs 773,350 people (4.39 percent of the total employment in California). The second most common job is the fast food and counter worker profession which employs 394,660 people (2.24 percent of the total employment). The employment and salary information in California is computed from data published by BLS in April 2023 [1].

Table 1. 200 most popular jobs in California (2022 survey)

Rank	Job Description	# of Empl. i	% of Empl. i	Average Salary i
1	All Occupations	17,635,840	100.00%	$49,740
2	Home Health and Personal Care Aides	773,350	4.39%	$31,090
3	Fast Food and Counter Workers	394,660	2.24%	$33,920
4	Cashiers	390,590	2.21%	$33,580
5	Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers	375,590	2.13%	$37,980
6	Retail Salespersons	327,690	1.86%	$34,760
7	Registered Nurses	325,620	1.85%	$132,660
8	Stockers and Order Fillers	302,100	1.71%	$36,820
9	General and Operations Managers	273,130	1.55%	$116,480
10	Office Clerks, General	269,790	1.53%	$42,390
11	Software Developers	258,170	1.46%	$164,330
12	Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners	246,850	1.40%	$36,400
13	Waiters and Waitresses	219,180	1.24%	$31,900
14	Customer Service Representatives	206,340	1.17%	$44,280
15	Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse	188,580	1.07%	$33,190
16	Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers	186,140	1.06%	$51,990
17	Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive	180,200	1.02%	$48,550
18	Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks	176,690	1.00%	$50,560
19	Other Business Operations Specialists	176,580	1.00%	$75,450
20	Security Guards	166,660	0.95%	$36,200
21	Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education	157,950	0.90%	$92,860
22	First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers	157,690	0.89%	$66,400
23	Accountants and Auditors	157,080	0.89%	$83,640
24	Fast Food Cooks	146,250	0.83%	$34,120
25	Wholesale and Manufacturing (Except Technical and Scientific Products) Sales Representatives	142,220	0.81%	$65,300
26	Restaurant Cooks	141,420	0.80%	$37,420
27	Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary	139,910	0.79%	$38,780
28	First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers	137,880	0.78%	$41,560
29	Maintenance and Repair Workers, General	137,340	0.78%	$48,170
30	Light Truck or Delivery Services Drivers	125,940	0.71%	$43,670
31	Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel	124,430	0.71%	$73,250
32	Management Analysts	121,140	0.69%	$85,010
33	Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators	116,060	0.66%	$38,070
34	Food Preparation Workers	112,720	0.64%	$34,620
35	Medical Assistants	111,470	0.63%	$44,650
36	Carpenters	111,340	0.63%	$64,120
37	Medical Secretaries	108,430	0.61%	$45,760
38	Sales Managers	108,020	0.61%	$130,150
39	Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers	105,040	0.60%	$38,050
40	Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists	104,790	0.59%	$76,230
41	Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators	103,000	0.58%	$45,480
42	First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers	102,170	0.58%	$47,500
43	Project Management Specialists	101,770	0.58%	$104,110
44	All Other Managers	100,360	0.57%	$162,690
45	Nursing Assistants	99,930	0.57%	$40,040
46	Financial Managers	99,340	0.56%	$162,840
47	Shipping, Receiving, and Traffic Clerks	96,350	0.55%	$39,360
48	Construction Laborers	95,900	0.54%	$48,930
49	Computer and Information Systems Managers	94,550	0.54%	$198,950
50	Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education	94,550	0.54%	$95,260
51	Human Resources Specialists	93,790	0.53%	$77,470
52	Packers and Packagers	90,540	0.51%	$34,630
53	Lawyers	87,780	0.50%	$175,680
54	Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners	87,330	0.50%	$36,800
55	Computer Occupations, All Other	80,510	0.46%	$111,500
56	Receptionists and Information Clerks	76,690	0.43%	$37,430
57	Computer User Support Specialists	75,570	0.43%	$69,200
58	Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses	73,740	0.42%	$66,090
59	Electricians	73,300	0.42%	$71,030
60	Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers	70,090	0.40%	$104,160
61	Counter and Rental Clerks	69,470	0.39%	$37,830
62	Short-Term Substitute Teachers	69,460	0.39%	$46,710
63	Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers	69,300	0.39%	$31,630
64	First-Line Supervisors of Transportation Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors	66,180	0.38%	$59,010
65	First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers	66,150	0.38%	$86,750
66	Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants	61,680	0.35%	$77,680
67	Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics	60,500	0.34%	$59,710
68	Dishwashers	60,460	0.34%	$34,370
69	Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks	59,430	0.34%	$55,650
70	Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers	58,390	0.33%	$46,350
71	Social and Human Service Assistants	58,040	0.33%	$45,850
72	Bartenders	57,480	0.33%	$32,390
73	Marketing Managers	56,920	0.32%	$166,390
74	Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents	55,440	0.31%	$64,970
75	Dental Assistants	55,360	0.31%	$46,170
76	Computer Systems Analysts	55,160	0.31%	$122,460
77	Tutors	54,620	0.31%	$36,470
78	Billing and Posting Clerks	54,610	0.31%	$47,210
79	Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education	53,430	0.30%	$39,040
80	Medical and Health Services Managers	52,350	0.30%	$131,880
81	First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers	51,120	0.29%	$68,210
82	Other Production Workers	50,110	0.28%	$36,400
83	Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment	50,050	0.28%	$34,510
84	Producers and Directors	49,340	0.28%	$107,120
85	Child, Family, and School Social Workers	49,310	0.28%	$62,610
86	Driver/Sales Workers	49,280	0.28%	$38,740
87	Buyers and Purchasing Agents	49,200	0.28%	$76,140
88	Amusement and Recreation Attendants	48,510	0.28%	$33,040
89	First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers	47,580	0.27%	$80,860
90	Property, Real Estate Managers	46,810	0.27%	$63,760
91	Compliance Officers	46,150	0.26%	$80,220
92	Electrical, electronic, and electromechanical assemblers	46,040	0.26%	$43,620
93	Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders	45,890	0.26%	$37,440
94	Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop	45,250	0.26%	$32,190
95	Civil Engineers	44,350	0.25%	$105,300
96	Insurance Sales Agents	44,190	0.25%	$65,910
97	Other Education, Training, and Library Workers	41,220	0.23%	$49,050
98	Recreation Workers	41,070	0.23%	$34,290
99	Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters	40,260	0.23%	$62,660
100	Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education	39,000	0.22%	$92,330
101	Pharmacy Technicians	38,780	0.22%	$48,050
102	Loan Officers	38,380	0.22%	$63,250
103	Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers	38,370	0.22%	$60,830
104	Food Service Managers	37,810	0.21%	$62,330
105	Self-Enrichment Education Teachers	37,770	0.21%	$47,210
106	Sales and Related Workers, All Other	37,410	0.21%	$55,140
107	Paralegals and Legal Assistants	37,270	0.21%	$69,790
108	Chief Executives	36,710	0.21%	$212,360
109	Construction Managers	36,670	0.21%	$119,810
110	Manicurists and Pedicurists	36,500	0.21%	$33,280
111	Training and Development Specialists	36,480	0.21%	$71,440
112	Educational, Guidance, School, and Vocational Counselors	36,440	0.21%	$72,240
113	Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors	36,100	0.20%	$56,060
114	Painters, Construction and Maintenance	36,100	0.20%	$49,830
115	Protective Service Workers, All Other	35,720	0.20%	$35,420
116	Other Office and Administrative Support Workers	35,440	0.20%	$42,460
117	Administrative Services Managers	35,420	0.20%	$105,650
118	Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products Sales Representatives	35,390	0.20%	$113,920
119	Correctional Officers and Jailers	35,310	0.20%	$89,220
120	Fitness Trainers and Aerobics Instructors	35,230	0.20%	$55,740
121	Architectural and Engineering Managers	34,600	0.20%	$179,080
122	Pharmacists	34,100	0.19%	$155,830
123	Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers	33,160	0.19%	$124,900
124	Firefighters	32,930	0.19%	$71,240
125	Graphic Designers	32,720	0.19%	$71,460
126	Personal Financial Advisors	32,670	0.19%	$102,270
127	Postal Service Mail Carriers	32,540	0.18%	$57,620
128	Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators	31,940	0.18%	$79,290
129	Network and Computer Systems Administrators	31,750	0.18%	$104,670
130	Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers	31,510	0.18%	$51,040
131	Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs	30,420	0.17%	$58,460
132	Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers	30,330	0.17%	$61,870
133	Financial Analysts	30,210	0.17%	$102,960
134	Cost Estimators	30,200	0.17%	$79,970
135	Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers	30,160	0.17%	$98,990
136	Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians	29,730	0.17%	$61,180
137	Machinists	29,710	0.17%	$51,080
138	Childcare Workers	29,500	0.17%	$35,740
139	Data Scientists	29,420	0.17%	$126,810
140	Marriage and Family Therapists	28,910	0.16%	$56,890
141	Legal Secretaries	28,830	0.16%	$51,520
142	Public Relations Specialists	28,570	0.16%	$75,600
143	Mechanical Engineers	28,100	0.16%	$108,430
144	Tellers	27,890	0.16%	$39,930
145	Social and Community Service Managers	27,670	0.16%	$74,920
146	Electrical Engineers	27,580	0.16%	$133,400
147	Food Servers, Nonrestaurant	27,490	0.16%	$34,860
148	Engineers, All Other	27,320	0.15%	$121,630
149	Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks	26,580	0.15%	$57,330
150	Industrial Machinery Mechanics	26,330	0.15%	$63,270
151	Computer Hardware Engineers	26,270	0.15%	$164,990
152	Parts Salespersons	26,270	0.15%	$37,200
153	Human Resources Managers	26,190	0.15%	$155,790
154	Dental Hygienists	25,980	0.15%	$107,960
155	Logisticians	25,780	0.15%	$83,210
156	Elementary and Secondary School Education Administrators	25,580	0.15%	$131,870
157	Coaches and Scouts	25,550	0.14%	$46,570
158	Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers	25,330	0.14%	$59,330
159	Loan Interviewers and Clerks	25,190	0.14%	$47,680
160	Nonfarm Animal Caretakers	25,030	0.14%	$35,200
161	Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks	24,840	0.14%	$35,500
162	Other Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers	24,710	0.14%	$45,300
163	Bakers	24,420	0.14%	$37,020
164	Industrial Production Managers	24,250	0.14%	$123,910
165	Industrial Engineers	24,110	0.14%	$106,180
166	Physical Therapists	24,100	0.14%	$108,230
167	Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance	23,280	0.13%	$46,760
168	Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists	23,170	0.13%	$34,970
169	Institution and Cafeteria Cooks	22,960	0.13%	$40,320
170	Other Health Technologists and Technicians	22,600	0.13%	$49,910
171	Information and Record Clerks, All Other	22,560	0.13%	$50,650
172	Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators	22,480	0.13%	$79,650
173	Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs	21,840	0.12%	$36,690
174	Medical Records Specialists	21,590	0.12%	$56,900
175	Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers	21,330	0.12%	$39,270
176	Web and Digital Interface Designers	21,300	0.12%	$102,820
177	Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other	21,280	0.12%	$33,940
178	Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks	21,270	0.12%	$49,040
179	Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity	21,150	0.12%	$58,400
180	Interviewers, Except Eligibility and Loan	21,020	0.12%	$47,130
181	Helpers--Production Workers	20,950	0.12%	$36,540
182	All Other Physicians	20,840	0.12%	$230,940
183	Electronics Engineers (Non Computer)	20,660	0.12%	$132,980
184	First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers	20,350	0.12%	$82,640
185	Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists	20,330	0.12%	$62,890
186	Short Order Cooks	20,260	0.11%	$35,350
187	Order Clerks	20,010	0.11%	$41,440
188	Chefs and Head Cooks	19,790	0.11%	$62,400
189	Bill and Account Collectors	19,660	0.11%	$48,300
190	Butchers and Meat Cutters	19,360	0.11%	$38,220
191	Nurse Practitioners	19,130	0.11%	$157,160
192	Multimedia Artists and Animators	19,120	0.11%	$129,680
193	Computer Network Architects	19,080	0.11%	$133,190
194	Computer Programmers	19,050	0.11%	$116,140
195	Editors	18,740	0.11%	$95,280
196	Facilities Managers	18,370	0.10%	$102,160
197	Emergency Medical Technicians	18,280	0.10%	$37,340
198	General Dentists	18,240	0.10%	$164,420
199	Roofers	18,220	0.10%	$62,000
200	Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists	18,130	0.10%	$123,980

Also see The top paying jobs in California.

Most popular jobs in major cities/areas of California

Modesto	Redding
North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area	Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area
Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area	North Valley Region of California nonmetropolitan area
North Coast Region of California nonmetropolitan area	Eastern Sierra Region of California nonmetropolitan area
Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area	Visalia-Porterville
Napa	Sacramento-Arden-Arcade-Roseville
El Centro	Oakland-Fremont-Hayward
Santa Rosa-Petaluma	Madera-Chowchilla
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara	Hanford-Corcoran
Merced	Santa Cruz-Watsonville
Vallejo-Fairfield	Santa Barbara-Santa Maria-Goleta
Santa Ana-Anaheim-Irvine	Yuba City
San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles	San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara
San Francisco-San Mateo-Redwood City	San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana	Fresno
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale	Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim
San Diego-Carlsbad-San Marcos	Bakersfield-Delano
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura	Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario
Stockton	Chico
Salinas