Highest-Paying Occupations - Occupation Information

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Wage data are updated on CareerOneStop annually. For more detailed information about the program or the survey refer to the OES webpage.

Wage estimates include base rate, cost-of-living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (e.g. commissions and production bonuses), and on-call pay.

Wage estimates do not include back pay, jury duty pay, overtime pay, severance pay, shift differentials, nonproduction bonuses, and tuition reimbursements.

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Education Level: Post-Secondary Training or Associate's Degree Change Education Level

State: California Change State Change to National

These are the occupations requiring post-secondary training or an associate's degree with the highest median hourly wages in 2008. Select an occupation to learn more about it in the Occupation Profile.

Top 50 Highest-Paying Occupations by Median Hourly Wages

Displaying Records 1 - 25 of 50

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#	Occupation	Median wages, 2008
#	Occupation	Hourly	Annual
1	Dental Hygienists	$42.05	$87,500
2	Radiation Therapists	$41.80	$86,900
3	Registered Nurses	$38.93	$81,000
4	Nuclear Medicine Technologists	$38.44	$80,000
5	Computer Specialists, All Other	$37.19	$77,400
6	Court Reporters	$35.66	$74,200
7	Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay	$35.17	$73,200
8	Diagnostic Medical Sonographers	$34.95	$72,700
9	Commercial Divers	$34.01	$70,700
10	Geological and Petroleum Technicians	$32.65	$67,900
11	Appraisers and Assessors of Real Estate	$32.37	$67,300
12	Fashion Designers	$31.10	$64,700
13	Respiratory Therapists	$30.82	$64,100
14	Nuclear Technicians	$30.46	$63,400
15	Commercial Pilots	N/A	$61,700
16	Radiologic Technologists and Technicians	$29.49	$61,300
17	Engineering Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other	$28.79	$59,900
18	Sound Engineering Technicians	$28.59	$59,500
19	Civil Engineering Technicians	$28.54	$59,400
20	Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance	$28.45	$59,200
21	Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technicians	$28.26	$58,800
22	Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers	$28.21	$58,700
23	Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technicians	$27.70	$57,600
24	Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians	$27.68	$57,600
25	Occupational Therapist Assistants	$27.36	$56,900
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State Data Source: California Occupational Wages

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