Which workers earn six figures in California?

"California's stifling cost of living means a six-figure salary could be seen as a necessity. What kind of job makes those big bucks? Well, in honor of Labor Day weekend, my trusty spreadsheet delved into some curious federal statistics that track the pay ladder by occupation. The report tracks the wages of 22 large slices of the workforce as of May 2024. Yes, the latest edition reflects pay patterns from a while ago. Caveat stated, the figures provide a glimpse into pay by occupation."

"Note that the median pay that's the number between the half who earn more and the half who earn less for all 18 million working Californians was $56,900. By the way, that's the ninth-highest nationally. But five occupations have median wages of $100,000 or more Management jobs: $138,900 is the mid-point wage among this occupation's 1.34 million workers. Computer and mathematical jobs: $136,000 among 740,000 workers. Legal jobs: $129,300 among 155,000 workers. Healthcare practitioners and technical jobs: $120,000 among 952,000 workers. Architecture and engineering jobs: $119,500 among 315,000 workers."

"Clearly, those aren't the only places with six-figure pay. So, contemplate occupations with wages of $100,000 or more at the 75th percentile. That's the median of the upper half of the pay scale. Only 25% make more. This is not typical compensation. Instead, it's the premium pay often tied to high-skill jobs, demanding industries, or top-performing workers. Statewide wages at this lofty threshold are $96,300. That's the fourth-highest nationally."

California's median pay for all 18 million working residents is $56,900, the ninth-highest nationally. Five occupations have median wages at or above $100,000: management ($138,900, 1.34 million workers), computer and mathematical ($136,000, 740,000), legal ($129,300, 155,000), healthcare practitioners and technical ($120,000, 952,000), and architecture and engineering ($119,500, 315,000). The 75th-percentile statewide wage is $96,300, the fourth-highest nationally, representing premium pay for top earners. At that 75th percentile, business and financial ($128,600), life/physical/social science ($131,300), arts/design/entertainment/sports/media ($110,800), and educational instruction/library ($101,300) also reach six-figure levels.

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