Average Salary in California
Convert between annual salary and hourly rate for California workers
California Salary Overview
The average annual salary in California is $68,750, while the median salary sits at $57,990 per year. For a standard 40-hour work week, that translates to approximately $33.05/hour (average) or $27.88/hour (median). The minimum wage in California is currently $16.00/hour, which equals about $33,280/year for a full-time worker.
California's cost of living index is 142.2 (national average = 100), which means living in California is above the national average. When evaluating a salary offer in California, it's important to consider this cost of living alongside the raw numbers.
Salary Quick Facts - California
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Annual Salary | $68,750 |
| Median Annual Salary | $57,990 |
| Average Hourly Rate | $33.05/hr |
| Minimum Wage | $16.00/hr |
| Cost of Living Index | 142.2 (US avg = 100) |
| Average Monthly Salary | $5,729 |
Top Employers in California
Major employers in California include Apple, Google, Kaiser Permanente, UC System. These organizations represent some of the largest job providers in the state across healthcare, technology, education, and other key industries.
Major Cities in California
The largest cities in California by population are Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, San Jose, Sacramento. Salaries can vary significantly between metropolitan and rural areas, with urban centers typically offering higher wages but also higher costs of living.
How to Use This Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see the equivalent hourly rate, or enter an hourly rate to calculate the annual salary. Adjust the hours per week and weeks per year to match your work schedule. The default assumes a standard full-time schedule of 40 hours per week, 52 weeks per year (2,080 hours total).
Want to see your actual take-home pay after taxes in California? Use our California Take-Home Pay Calculator to factor in federal and state income taxes, Social Security, and Medicare.