Cost of living

Cost of living in California: what jobs pay vs rent

Typical rent in California is about $1,969/mo (population-weighted Census gross rent, utilities included). Here's how 299 common jobs' estimated take-home pay compares.

JobEst. take-homeRent share
Nurse Anesthetist$15,548/mo13%
Chief Executive$15,020/mo13%
Family Physician$14,883/mo13%
IT Manager$13,682/mo14%
Natural Sciences Manager$12,908/mo15%
Architectural and Engineering Manager$12,832/mo15%
Lawyer$12,028/mo16%
Marketing Manager$11,341/mo17%
Financial Manager$11,036/mo18%
Computer Hardware Engineer$11,031/mo18%
Software Developer$10,963/mo18%
Dentist$10,856/mo18%
Human Resources Manager$10,850/mo18%
Police and Detective$10,749/mo18%
Nurse Practitioner$10,663/mo18%
Pharmacist$10,462/mo19%
Physician Assistant$10,237/mo19%
Purchasing Manager$9,978/mo20%
Public Relations Manager$9,783/mo20%
Network Architect$9,424/mo21%
Healthcare Manager$9,063/mo22%
Electrical Engineer$9,044/mo22%
Firefighting and Prevention Worker$8,843/mo22%
Information Security Analyst$8,791/mo22%
Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary$8,741/mo23%
Optometrist$8,711/mo23%
Registered Nurse$8,709/mo23%
Data Scientist$8,690/mo23%
Veterinarian$8,603/mo23%
Sales Manager$8,563/mo23%
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Tester$8,411/mo23%
Industrial Production Manager$8,378/mo24%
Medical Scientist$8,341/mo24%
Web and Digital Interface Designer$8,304/mo24%
Psychologist$8,219/mo24%
Construction Manager$8,105/mo24%
Systems Analyst$8,084/mo24%
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Product$8,055/mo24%
Mechanical Engineer$7,966/mo25%
Operations Manager$7,939/mo25%
Actuary$7,842/mo25%
Dental Hygienist$7,842/mo25%
Sonographer$7,743/mo25%
Physical Therapist$7,511/mo26%
Detectives and Criminal Investigator$7,481/mo26%
Computer Programmer$7,461/mo26%
Police Officer$7,375/mo27%
Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairer$7,307/mo27%
Occupational Therapist$7,305/mo27%
Database Administrator$7,291/mo27%
Web Developer$7,274/mo27%
Industrial Engineer$7,265/mo27%
Administrative Services Manager$7,199/mo27%
Facilities Manager$7,155/mo28%
Speech Pathologist$7,116/mo28%
Financial Analyst$7,090/mo28%
Project Management Specialist$7,019/mo28%
Network Administrator$6,919/mo28%
Labor Relations Specialist$6,861/mo29%
Producers and Director$6,830/mo29%
Civil Engineer$6,828/mo29%
Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialist$6,795/mo29%
Financial Advisor$6,716/mo29%
Occupational Health and Safety Specialist$6,668/mo30%
Radiologic Technologist$6,645/mo30%
Special Education Teachers, Secondary School$6,625/mo30%
High School Teacher$6,600/mo30%
Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Manager$6,581/mo30%
Respiratory Therapist$6,578/mo30%
Financial Examiner$6,526/mo30%
Architect$6,506/mo30%
Management Consultant$6,487/mo30%
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School$6,426/mo31%
Construction and Building Inspector$6,354/mo31%
Chemist$6,319/mo31%
Elementary School Teacher$6,286/mo31%
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health$6,233/mo32%
Instructional Coordinator$6,228/mo32%
Special Education Teachers, Middle School$6,200/mo32%
Writer$6,139/mo32%
Correctional Officer$6,055/mo33%
Accountant$5,990/mo33%
Construction Supervisor$5,984/mo33%
Journalist$5,900/mo33%
Logistician$5,846/mo34%
Healthcare Social Worker$5,837/mo34%
Special Ed Teacher$5,803/mo34%
Editor$5,727/mo34%
Compliance Officer$5,524/mo36%
Non-Retail Sales Worker$5,524/mo36%
Librarian$5,512/mo36%
Dietitian$5,505/mo36%
Mechanics, Installers, and Repairer$5,427/mo36%
Market Research Analyst$5,401/mo36%
Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialist$5,387/mo37%
Operations Research Analyst$5,387/mo37%
Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairer$5,370/mo37%
Equipment Operator$5,353/mo37%
Insurance Underwriter$5,340/mo37%
Cost Estimator$5,324/mo37%
Credit Analyst$5,279/mo37%
Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistant$5,255/mo37%
Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technician$5,243/mo38%
Firefighter$5,221/mo38%
Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technician$5,218/mo38%
Claims Adjuster$5,208/mo38%
HR Specialist$5,192/mo38%
Physical Therapist Assistant$5,176/mo38%
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operator$5,143/mo38%
Civil Engineering Technologists and Technician$5,121/mo38%
Social and Community Service Manager$5,108/mo39%
Surgical Technologist$5,096/mo39%
Buyers and Purchasing Agent$5,052/mo39%
School Counselor$5,047/mo39%
Electrician$5,036/mo39%
Sheet Metal Worker$4,996/mo39%
Interior Designer$4,960/mo40%
Public Relations Specialist$4,958/mo40%
Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agent$4,955/mo40%
Computer Network Support Specialist$4,948/mo40%
Fundraiser$4,919/mo40%
Licensed Practical Nurse$4,915/mo40%
Paralegals and Legal Assistant$4,884/mo40%
IT Support Specialist$4,882/mo40%
Public Safety Telecommunicator$4,880/mo40%
Clergy$4,879/mo40%
Graphic Designer$4,833/mo41%
Production and Operating Worker$4,830/mo41%
Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technician$4,772/mo41%
Loan Officer$4,770/mo41%
Sales Representative$4,718/mo42%
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker$4,644/mo42%
Office and Administrative Support Worker$4,635/mo42%
Training and Development Specialist$4,558/mo43%
Property Manager$4,521/mo44%
Diesel Mechanic$4,483/mo44%
Carpenter$4,445/mo44%
Architectural and Civil Drafter$4,419/mo45%
Food Service Manager$4,403/mo45%
Medical Equipment Repairer$4,343/mo45%
Industrial Machinery Mechanic$4,334/mo45%
Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technician$4,330/mo45%
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity$4,288/mo46%
Social Worker$4,280/mo46%
Psychiatric Technician$4,238/mo46%
Tax Preparer$4,222/mo47%
Photographer$4,208/mo47%
Paramedic$4,186/mo47%
Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installer$4,185/mo47%
Insurance Agent$4,121/mo48%
Advertising Sales Agent$4,118/mo48%
Roofer$4,114/mo48%
Plumber$4,094/mo48%
Real Estate Agent$4,079/mo48%
Biological Technician$4,074/mo48%
Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installer$4,072/mo48%
Meeting, Convention, and Event Planner$4,046/mo49%
HVAC Technician$4,045/mo49%
Cement Masons and Concrete Finisher$4,040/mo49%
Auto Mechanic$4,005/mo49%
Postal Service Clerk$4,005/mo49%
Eligibility Interviewers, Government Program$3,968/mo50%
Audio and Video Technician$3,967/mo50%
Chef$3,960/mo50%
Postal Service Mail Carrier$3,929/mo50%
Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerk$3,912/mo50%
Payroll and Timekeeping Clerk$3,911/mo50%
Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistant$3,904/mo50%
Medical Equipment Preparer$3,897/mo51%
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collector$3,868/mo51%
Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Worker$3,860/mo51%
Court, Municipal, and License Clerk$3,855/mo51%
Machinist$3,818/mo52%
Automotive Body and Related Repairer$3,797/mo52%
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselor$3,775/mo52%
Truck Driver$3,772/mo52%
Painter$3,743/mo53%
Construction Laborer$3,687/mo53%
Opticians, Dispensing$3,680/mo54%
Welder$3,647/mo54%
Fitness Trainer$3,630/mo54%
Highway Maintenance Worker$3,609/mo55%
Bus Drivers, School$3,600/mo55%
Housekeeping and Janitorial Worker$3,567/mo55%
Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operator$3,561/mo55%
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term$3,528/mo56%
Veterinary Technologists and Technician$3,522/mo56%
Bookkeeper$3,509/mo56%
Medical Records Specialist$3,493/mo56%
Security Worker$3,485/mo56%
Cargo and Freight Agent$3,344/mo59%
Maintenance Worker$3,310/mo59%
Personal Service Worker$3,299/mo60%
Billing and Posting Clerk$3,271/mo60%
Loan Interviewers and Clerk$3,266/mo60%
Admin Assistant$3,264/mo60%
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tender$3,264/mo60%
Pharmacy Technician$3,242/mo61%
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator$3,235/mo61%
Library Technician$3,232/mo61%
Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairer$3,229/mo61%
Ophthalmic Medical Technician$3,202/mo61%
Phlebotomist$3,193/mo62%
Crossing Guards and Flagger$3,171/mo62%
Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistant$3,154/mo62%
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weigher$3,153/mo62%
Bill and Account Collector$3,147/mo63%
Dental Assistant$3,134/mo63%
Social and Human Service Assistant$3,132/mo63%
Retail Supervisor$3,129/mo63%
Sports Coach$3,111/mo63%
Self-Enrichment Teacher$3,104/mo63%
Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tender$3,097/mo64%
Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerk$3,093/mo64%
Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tender$3,062/mo64%
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operator$3,054/mo64%
Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenter$3,039/mo65%
Medical Assistant$3,035/mo65%
Data Entry Keyer$3,033/mo65%
Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tender$3,019/mo65%
Library Assistants, Clerical$3,012/mo65%
Office Clerk$2,998/mo66%
Customer Service Rep$2,995/mo66%
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$2,983/mo66%
Massage Therapist$2,951/mo67%
Nursing Assistant$2,936/mo67%
EMT$2,932/mo67%
Teaching Assistant$2,930/mo67%
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria$2,921/mo67%
Pest Control Worker$2,915/mo68%
Preschool Teacher$2,907/mo68%
Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$2,902/mo68%
Residential Advisor$2,885/mo68%
Order Clerk$2,880/mo68%
Printing Press Operator$2,877/mo68%
Teller$2,874/mo69%
Rehabilitation Counselor$2,853/mo69%
Delivery Driver$2,850/mo69%
Food Service Supervisor$2,843/mo69%
File Clerk$2,801/mo70%
Skincare Specialist$2,781/mo71%
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$2,774/mo71%
Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerk$2,759/mo71%
Driver/Sales Worker$2,709/mo73%
Restaurant Cook$2,691/mo73%
Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerk$2,684/mo73%
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$2,683/mo73%
Couriers and Messenger$2,668/mo74%
Counter and Rental Clerk$2,657/mo74%
Landscaper$2,652/mo74%
Warehouse Worker$2,636/mo75%
Tutor$2,632/mo75%
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretaker$2,612/mo75%
Butchers and Meat Cutter$2,592/mo76%
Security Guard$2,573/mo77%
Receptionist$2,562/mo77%
Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeur$2,556/mo77%
Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmer$2,555/mo77%
School Bus Monitor$2,545/mo77%
Parts Salesperson$2,533/mo78%
Maids and Housekeeping Cleaner$2,526/mo78%
Stockers and Order Filler$2,526/mo78%
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tender$2,521/mo78%
Food Batchmaker$2,495/mo79%
Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendant$2,472/mo80%
Janitor$2,468/mo80%
Baker$2,451/mo80%
Cooks, Short Order$2,443/mo81%
Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerk$2,428/mo81%
Tire Repairers and Changer$2,425/mo81%
Childcare Worker$2,423/mo81%
Hairdresser$2,416/mo81%
Food Preparation Worker$2,413/mo82%
Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Worker$2,407/mo82%
Telemarketer$2,406/mo82%
Recreation Worker$2,399/mo82%
Slaughterers and Meat Packer$2,393/mo82%
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant$2,391/mo82%
Packers and Packagers, Hand$2,386/mo83%
Animal Caretaker$2,372/mo83%
Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Worker$2,366/mo83%
Retail Salesperson$2,356/mo84%
Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment$2,342/mo84%
Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmer$2,340/mo84%
Dishwasher$2,337/mo84%
Parking Attendant$2,308/mo85%
Amusement and Recreation Attendant$2,303/mo85%
Cashier$2,288/mo86%
Fast Food and Counter Worker$2,286/mo86%
Cooks, Fast Food$2,268/mo87%
Sewing Machine Operator$2,268/mo87%
Server$2,261/mo87%
Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Taker$2,258/mo87%
Bartender$2,256/mo87%
Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop$2,256/mo87%
Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse$2,254/mo87%
Manicurists and Pedicurist$2,247/mo88%
Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helper$2,203/mo89%
Home Health Aide$2,179/mo90%

Pay is BLS OEWS 2023 state median wages after a rough ~22% tax estimate — a ballpark, not a real paycheck. It doesn't include state taxes, insurance, transport, or the cost of moving.

See your own numbers in Headroom