In 2023, the average annual pay of employees in California totaled to ****** U.S. dollars. While this is a decrease from the previous year, it is a significant increase from 2001, when the average annual pay of employees was ****** U.S. dollars.

In 2023, the average annual wage in California was ****** U.S. dollars, an increase from the year prior, when the average wage in the U.S. state was ******. The average annual wages are expected to rise in California, with the annual wage in 2027 estimated to reach over ******* U.S. dollars.

Graph and download economic data for Real Median Household Income in California (MEHOINUSCAA672N) from 1984 to 2023 about CA, households, median, income, real, and USA.

Graph and download economic data for Average Hourly Earnings of All Employees: Total Private in California (SMU06000000500000003) from Jan 2007 to Jun 2025 about earnings, hours, CA, private, employment, and USA.

In 2023, the median household income in California amounted to 89,870 U.S. dollars. This is an increase from the previous year, when the median household income in the state was 85,300 U.S. dollars. Median household income for the United States can be accessed here.

Graph and download economic data for Average Weekly Earnings of All Employees: Information in California (SMU06000005000000011) from Jan 2007 to Jun 2025 about information, earnings, CA, employment, and USA.

In 2022 the median annual family income in California was ******* U.S. dollars, and has been steadily increasing since 2010. Family income is the total income earned by all family members who have been living in the household for at least one year and are at least 14 years old.

U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts statistics for California. QuickFacts data are derived from: Population Estimates, American Community Survey, Census of Population and Housing, Current Population Survey, Small Area Health Insurance Estimates, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates, State and County Housing Unit Estimates, County Business Patterns, Nonemployer Statistics, Economic Census, Survey of Business Owners, Building Permits.

Graph and download economic data for 90% Confidence Interval Lower Bound of Estimate of Median Household Income for Los Angeles County, CA (MHICILBCA06037A052NCEN) from 1989 to 2023 about Los Angeles County, CA; Los Angeles; CA; households; median; income; and USA.

VITAL SIGNS INDICATOR Jobs by Wage Level (EQ1)

FULL MEASURE NAME Distribution of jobs by low-, middle-, and high-wage occupations

LAST UPDATED January 2019

DESCRIPTION Jobs by wage level refers to the distribution of jobs by low-, middle- and high-wage occupations. In the San Francisco Bay Area, low-wage occupations have a median hourly wage of less than 80% of the regional median wage; median wages for middle-wage occupations range from 80% to 120% of the regional median wage, and high-wage occupations have a median hourly wage above 120% of the regional median wage.

DATA SOURCE California Employment Development Department OES (2001-2017) http://www.labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov/data/oes-employment-and-wages.html

American Community Survey (2001-2017) http://api.census.gov

CONTACT INFORMATION vitalsigns.info@bayareametro.gov

METHODOLOGY NOTES (across all datasets for this indicator) Jobs are determined to be low-, middle-, or high-wage based on the median hourly wage of their occupational classification in the most recent year. Low-wage jobs are those that pay below 80% of the regional median wage. Middle-wage jobs are those that pay between 80% and 120% of the regional median wage. High-wage jobs are those that pay above 120% of the regional median wage. Regional median hourly wages are estimated from the American Community Survey and are published on the Vital Signs Income indicator page. For the national context analysis, occupation wage classifications are unique to each metro area. A low-wage job in New York, for instance, may be a middle-wage job in Miami. For the Bay Area in 2017, the median hourly wage for low-wage occupations was less than $20.86 per hour. For middle-wage jobs, the median ranged from $20.86 to $31.30 per hour; and for high-wage jobs, the median wage was above $31.30 per hour.

Occupational employment and wage information comes from the Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) program. Regional and subregional data is published by the California Employment Development Department. Metro data is published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The OES program collects data on wage and salary workers in nonfarm establishments to produce employment and wage estimates for some 800 occupations. Data from non-incorporated self-employed persons are not collected, and are not included in these estimates. Wage estimates represent a three-year rolling average.

Due to changes in reporting during the analysis period, subregion data from the EDD OES have been aggregated to produce geographies that can be compared over time. West Bay is San Mateo, San Francisco, and Marin counties. North Bay is Sonoma, Solano and Napa counties. East Bay is Alameda and Contra Costa counties. South Bay is Santa Clara County from 2001-2004 and Santa Clara and San Benito counties from 2005-2017.

Due to changes in occupation classifications during the analysis period, all occupations have been reassigned to 2010 SOC codes. For pre-2009 reporting years, all employment in occupations that were split into two or more 2010 SOC occupations are assigned to the first 2010 SOC occupation listed in the crosswalk table provided by the Census Bureau. This method assumes these occupations always fall in the same wage category, and sensitivity analysis of this reassignment method shows this is true in most cases.

In order to use OES data for time series analysis, several steps were taken to handle missing wage or employment data. For some occupations, such as airline pilots and flight attendants, no wage information was provided and these were removed from the analysis. Other occupations did not record a median hourly wage (mostly due to irregular work hours) but did record an annual average wage. Nearly all these occupations were in education (i.e. teachers). In this case, a 2080 hour-work year was assumed and [annual average wage/2080] was used as a proxy for median income. Most of these occupations were classified as high-wage, thus dispelling concern of underestimating a median wage for a teaching occupation that requires less than 2080 hours of work a year (equivalent to 12 months fulltime). Finally, the OES has missing employment data for occupations across the time series. To make the employment data comparable between years, gaps in employment data for occupations are ‘filled-in’ using linear interpolation if there are at least two years of employment data found in OES. Occupations with less than two years of employment data were dropped from the analysis. Over 80% of interpolated cells represent missing employment data for just one year in the time series. While this interpolating technique may impact year-over-year comparisons, the long-term trends represented in the analysis generally are accurate.

In 2021, San Mateo county recorded the highest average wage among life science professionals in California, with around 320,000 U.S. dollars per year. Wages where significant lower in other parts of California, like, for example, in the counties of Los Angeles and San Bernardino.

Real Median Household Income in California was 89870.00000 2015 CPI-U-RS Adjusted $ in January of 2023, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, Real Median Household Income in California reached a record high of 92330.00000 in January of 2019 and a record low of 66480.00000 in January of 1984. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Real Median Household Income in California - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on July of 2025.

Household data are collected as of March.

As stated in the Census's "Source and Accuracy of Estimates for Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2011" (http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/p60_243sa.pdf):

Estimation of Median Incomes. The Census Bureau has changed the methodology for computing median income over time. The Census Bureau has computed medians using either Pareto interpolation or linear interpolation. Currently, we are using linear interpolation to estimate all medians. Pareto interpolation assumes a decreasing density of population within an income interval, whereas linear interpolation assumes a constant density of population within an income interval. The Census Bureau calculated estimates of median income and associated standard errors for 1979 through 1987 using Pareto interpolation if the estimate was larger than $20,000 for people or $40,000 for families and households. This is because the width of the income interval containing the estimate is greater than $2,500.

We calculated estimates of median income and associated standard errors for 1976, 1977, and 1978 using Pareto interpolation if the estimate was larger than $12,000 for people or $18,000 for families and households. This is because the width of the income interval containing the estimate is greater than $1,000. All other estimates of median income and associated standard errors for 1976 through 2011 (2012 ASEC) and almost all of the estimates of median income and associated standard errors for 1975 and earlier were calculated using linear interpolation.

Thus, use caution when comparing median incomes above $12,000 for people or $18,000 for families and households for different years. Median incomes below those levels are more comparable from year to year since they have always been calculated using linear interpolation. For an indication of the comparability of medians calculated using Pareto interpolation with medians calculated using linear interpolation, see Series P-60, Number 114, Money Income in 1976 of Families and Persons in the United States (www2.census.gov/prod2/popscan/p60-114.pdf).

About this dataset

Context

The dataset presents the distribution of median household income among distinct age brackets of householders in California. Based on the latest 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates from the American Community Survey, it displays how income varies among householders of different ages in California. It showcases how household incomes typically rise as the head of the household gets older. The dataset can be utilized to gain insights into age-based household income trends and explore the variations in incomes across households.

Key observations: Insights from 2023

In terms of income distribution across age cohorts, in California, householders within the 45 to 64 years age group have the highest median household income at $74,755, followed by those in the 25 to 44 years age group with an income of $71,906. Meanwhile householders within the under 25 years age group report the second lowest median household income of $52,375. Notably, householders within the 65 years and over age group, had the lowest median household income at $28,456.

Content

When available, the data consists of estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates. All incomes have been adjusting for inflation and are presented in 2023-inflation-adjusted dollars.

Age groups classifications include:

• Under 25 years
• 25 to 44 years
• 45 to 64 years
• 65 years and over

Variables / Data Columns

• Age Of The Head Of Household: This column presents the age of the head of household
• Median Household Income: Median household income, in 2023 inflation-adjusted dollars for the specific age group

Good to know

Margin of Error

Data in the dataset are based on the estimates and are subject to sampling variability and thus a margin of error. Neilsberg Research recommends using caution when presening these estimates in your research.

Custom data

If you do need custom data for any of your research project, report or presentation, you can contact our research staff at research@neilsberg.com for a feasibility of a custom tabulation on a fee-for-service basis.

Inspiration

Neilsberg Research Team curates, analyze and publishes demographics and economic data from a variety of public and proprietary sources, each of which often includes multiple surveys and programs. The large majority of Neilsberg Research aggregated datasets and insights is made available for free download at https://www.neilsberg.com/research/.

Recommended for further research

This dataset is a part of the main dataset for California median household income by age. You can refer the same here

About this dataset

Context

The dataset presents the distribution of median household income among distinct age brackets of householders in California. Based on the latest 2017-2021 5-Year Estimates from the American Community Survey, it displays how income varies among householders of different ages in California. It showcases how household incomes typically rise as the head of the household gets older. The dataset can be utilized to gain insights into age-based household income trends and explore the variations in incomes across households.

Key observations: Insights from 2021

In terms of income distribution across age cohorts, in California, householders within the 25 to 44 years age group have the highest median household income at $89,400, followed by those in the 65 years and over age group with an income of $42,592. Meanwhile householders within the 45 to 64 years age group report the second lowest median household income of $40,728. Notably, householders within the under 25 years age group, had the lowest median household income at $27,653.

Content

When available, the data consists of estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) 2017-2021 5-Year Estimates. All incomes have been adjusting for inflation and are presented in 2022-inflation-adjusted dollars.

Age groups classifications include:

• Under 25 years
• 25 to 44 years
• 45 to 64 years
• 65 years and over

Variables / Data Columns

• Age Of The Head Of Household: This column presents the age of the head of household
• Median Household Income: Median household income, in 2022 inflation-adjusted dollars for the specific age group

Good to know

Margin of Error

Data in the dataset are based on the estimates and are subject to sampling variability and thus a margin of error. Neilsberg Research recommends using caution when presening these estimates in your research.

Custom data

If you do need custom data for any of your research project, report or presentation, you can contact our research staff at research@neilsberg.com for a feasibility of a custom tabulation on a fee-for-service basis.

Inspiration

Neilsberg Research Team curates, analyze and publishes demographics and economic data from a variety of public and proprietary sources, each of which often includes multiple surveys and programs. The large majority of Neilsberg Research aggregated datasets and insights is made available for free download at https://www.neilsberg.com/research/.

Recommended for further research

This dataset is a part of the main dataset for California median household income by age. You can refer the same here

During the time shown, the average monthly wage in the Mexican state of Baja California has experienced a general positive trend, with the highest value recorded in the first quarter of 2024 with ***** Mexican pesos.

California State Income Limits reflect updated median income and household income levels for acutely low-, extremely low-, very low-, low- and moderate-income households for California’s 58 counties (required by Health and Safety Code Section 50093). These income limits apply to State and local affordable housing programs statutorily linked to HUD income limits and differ from income limits applicable to other specific federal, State, or local programs.

Graph and download economic data for 90% Confidence Interval Upper Bound of Estimate of Median Household Income for San Diego County, CA (MHICIUBCA06073A052NCEN) from 1989 to 2023 about San Diego County, CA; San Diego; CA; households; median; income; and USA.

Graph and download economic data for Estimate of Median Household Income for Orange County, CA (MHICA06059A052NCEN) from 1989 to 2023 about Orange County, CA; Los Angeles; CA; households; median; income; and USA.

The Average Salary chart presents a clear visualization of the salary progression for graduates from California State University-Bakersfield from 2020 to 2023, illustrating the yearly average salary trends. Additionally, the chart compares these figures with the overall average salary trends of graduates from all schools, providing a comprehensive view of how California State University-Bakersfield’s graduates stand in terms of earning potential relative to their peers nationwide. This data is crucial for prospective students assessing the ROI of their education at California State University-Bakersfield.