Updated May 2026 · BLS OEWS 2025 reference period
65 Highest Paying Jobs in Los Angeles, CA (2026)
The highest-paying job in Los Angeles, CA, California is Obstetrician/Gynecologist with a median salary of $301,240 as of 2026, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data. Across all 65 tracked occupations the average median is $122,494, with 50 occupations paying a six-figure ($100K+) median. Los Angeles, CA has a cost-of-living index of 166 (national average = 100), so a $122,494 nominal salary equals $73,792 in average-cost-metro buying power.
The 65 occupations below are ranked by median wage in Los Angeles, CA, CA, from BLS OEWS data. Los Angeles, CA's cost-of-living index runs 166.0 (national baseline = 100), which shapes the headline-wage interpretation. Top-paying occupations in any U.S. metro typically cluster around physicians, dentists, executives, tech specialists, and licensed professionals. The specific top of the list varies with local industry concentration: tech-heavy metros boost software-engineering ranks, finance-heavy metros boost banking ranks.
Each role on the ranking links to the per-role-and-city page with full percentile distribution (p10 to p90), employment count, and cost-adjusted wage. For workers comparing offers within Los Angeles, CA, the percentile data is the most decision-relevant.
Top 10 Highest-Paying Jobs in Los Angeles, CA
Ranked by median (50th percentile) salary. The COL-Adjusted column rebases each nominal salary to Los Angeles, CA's cost-of-living index of 166 so you can compare buying power against an average-cost U.S. metro.
Median $301,240 · 10th–90th $99,060–$401,440 · 0 jobs in metro
Obstetrician/Gynecologists in Los Angeles, CA earn $301,240 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $401,440. Adjusted for the local cost of living, that median equals $181,470 of buying power in an average-cost U.S. metro.
Median $204,370 · 10th–90th $125,600–$297,260 · 23,180 jobs in metro
Computer and Information Systems Managers in Los Angeles, CA earn $204,370 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $297,260. Adjusted for the local cost of living, that median equals $123,114 of buying power in an average-cost U.S. metro.
Median $194,410 · 10th–90th $93,980–$375,440 · 41,580 jobs in metro
Lawyers in Los Angeles, CA earn $194,410 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $375,440. Adjusted for the local cost of living, that median equals $117,114 of buying power in an average-cost U.S. metro.
Median $186,700 · 10th–90th $74,510–$307,820 · 0 jobs in metro
Family Medicine Physicians in Los Angeles, CA earn $186,700 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $307,820. Adjusted for the local cost of living, that median equals $112,470 of buying power in an average-cost U.S. metro.
Median $176,900 · 10th–90th $96,810–$306,670 · 3,080 jobs in metro
Pediatricians in Los Angeles, CA earn $176,900 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $306,670. Adjusted for the local cost of living, that median equals $106,566 of buying power in an average-cost U.S. metro.
Median $175,310 · 10th–90th $102,360–$337,680 · 34,480 jobs in metro
Financial Managers in Los Angeles, CA earn $175,310 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $337,680. Adjusted for the local cost of living, that median equals $105,608 of buying power in an average-cost U.S. metro.
Median $171,900 · 10th–90th $100,360–$318,960 · 18,550 jobs in metro
Marketing Managers in Los Angeles, CA earn $171,900 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $318,960. Adjusted for the local cost of living, that median equals $103,554 of buying power in an average-cost U.S. metro.
Median $168,400 · 10th–90th $98,810–$299,740 · 9,070 jobs in metro
Human Resources Managers in Los Angeles, CA earn $168,400 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $299,740. Adjusted for the local cost of living, that median equals $101,446 of buying power in an average-cost U.S. metro.
Median $161,890 · 10th–90th $99,570–$220,580 · 3,890 jobs in metro
Physician Assistants in Los Angeles, CA earn $161,890 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $220,580. Adjusted for the local cost of living, that median equals $97,524 of buying power in an average-cost U.S. metro.
Median $161,470 · 10th–90th $119,950–$216,180 · 10,060 jobs in metro
Nurse Practitioners in Los Angeles, CA earn $161,470 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $216,180. Adjusted for the local cost of living, that median equals $97,271 of buying power in an average-cost U.S. metro.
Full Ranking (65 Occupations)
| Rank | Role | Category | Median | 10th–90th | COL-Adjusted | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Obstetrician/Gynecologist | Healthcare | $301,240 | $99,060–$401,440 | $181,470 | 0 |
| 2 | Computer and Information Systems Manager | Technology | $204,370 | $125,600–$297,260 | $123,114 | 23,180 |
| 3 | Lawyer | Legal | $194,410 | $93,980–$375,440 | $117,114 | 41,580 |
| 4 | Family Medicine Physician | Healthcare | $186,700 | $74,510–$307,820 | $112,470 | 0 |
| 5 | Pediatrician | Healthcare | $176,900 | $96,810–$306,670 | $106,566 | 3,080 |
| 6 | Financial Manager | Finance | $175,310 | $102,360–$337,680 | $105,608 | 34,480 |
| 7 | Marketing Manager | Management | $171,900 | $100,360–$318,960 | $103,554 | 18,550 |
| 8 | Human Resources Manager | Management | $168,400 | $98,810–$299,740 | $101,446 | 9,070 |
| 9 | Physician Assistant | Healthcare | $161,890 | $99,570–$220,580 | $97,524 | 3,890 |
| 10 | Nurse Practitioner | Healthcare | $161,470 | $119,950–$216,180 | $97,271 | 10,060 |
| 11 | Software Developer | Technology | $160,920 | $98,270–$223,150 | $96,940 | 55,540 |
| 12 | Veterinarian | Healthcare | $160,080 | $67,410–$284,050 | $96,434 | 2,740 |
| 13 | Pharmacist | Healthcare | $157,440 | $62,800–$209,060 | $94,843 | 12,450 |
| 14 | Software Quality Assurance Analyst | Technology | $155,960 | $81,450–$227,300 | $93,952 | 940 |
| 15 | Computer Network Architect | Technology | $147,510 | $90,880–$212,130 | $88,861 | 3,500 |
| 16 | Dentist | Healthcare | $139,990 | $74,510–$219,380 | $84,331 | 6,300 |
| 17 | Electrical Engineer | Engineering | $139,780 | $79,230–$209,460 | $84,205 | 8,970 |
| 18 | Optometrist | Healthcare | $138,940 | $73,540–$209,530 | $83,699 | 2,360 |
| 19 | Registered Nurse | Healthcare | $135,560 | $100,980–$174,200 | $81,663 | 109,360 |
| 20 | Medical and Health Services Manager | Healthcare | $134,230 | $68,630–$228,400 | $80,861 | 23,740 |
| 21 | Sales Manager | Management | $132,330 | $64,780–$286,390 | $79,717 | 37,790 |
| 22 | Data Scientist | Technology | $129,740 | $71,080–$208,280 | $78,157 | 9,850 |
| 23 | Information Security Analyst | Technology | $129,630 | $54,230–$195,820 | $78,090 | 4,820 |
| 24 | Business Professor (Postsecondary) | Education | $128,470 | $60,910–$262,270 | $77,392 | 2,050 |
| 25 | Audiologist | Healthcare | $128,110 | $62,560–$195,390 | $77,175 | 520 |
| 26 | General and Operations Manager | Management | $125,830 | $62,400–$299,990 | $75,801 | 104,610 |
| 27 | Engineers (Other) | Engineering | $125,060 | $72,110–$187,640 | $75,337 | 7,530 |
| 28 | Personal Financial Advisor | Finance | $124,490 | $67,690–$285,090 | $74,994 | 13,980 |
| 29 | Mechanical Engineer | Engineering | $123,900 | $77,040–$173,340 | $74,639 | 8,780 |
| 30 | Dental Hygienist | Healthcare | $122,980 | $56,800–$137,310 | $74,084 | 7,940 |
| 31 | Software Quality Assurance Tester | Technology | $122,210 | $60,660–$170,880 | $73,620 | 7,200 |
| 32 | Occupational Therapist | Healthcare | $122,040 | $82,840–$154,730 | $73,518 | 4,950 |
| 33 | Computer Systems Analyst | Technology | $121,560 | $76,430–$165,620 | $73,229 | 16,900 |
| 34 | Statistician | Technology | $116,200 | $75,600–$166,070 | $70,000 | 580 |
| 35 | Industrial Engineer | Engineering | $113,040 | $78,320–$166,090 | $68,096 | 11,460 |
| 36 | Database Architect | Technology | $112,540 | $60,900–$168,050 | $67,795 | 2,280 |
| 37 | Speech-Language Pathologist | Healthcare | $109,740 | $79,490–$160,430 | $66,108 | 4,800 |
| 38 | Computer Occupations (Other) | Technology | $109,700 | $49,720–$203,490 | $66,084 | 20,060 |
| 39 | Civil Engineer | Engineering | $108,640 | $72,860–$170,670 | $65,446 | 16,340 |
| 40 | Physical Therapist | Healthcare | $108,170 | $85,580–$160,070 | $65,163 | 9,750 |
| 41 | Web Designer | Technology | $107,290 | $55,670–$166,990 | $64,633 | 2,310 |
| 42 | Computer Programmer | Technology | $107,090 | $61,700–$160,460 | $64,512 | 3,400 |
| 43 | Web Developer | Technology | $106,550 | $58,100–$201,320 | $64,187 | 9,220 |
| 44 | Network Architect | Technology | $106,290 | $70,870–$159,750 | $64,030 | 8,770 |
| 45 | Financial Examiner | Finance | $106,000 | $66,820–$162,050 | $63,855 | 1,630 |
| 46 | Management Analyst | Management | $104,930 | $60,300–$191,160 | $63,211 | 37,060 |
| 47 | Architect | Engineering | $104,170 | $75,640–$164,530 | $62,753 | 4,870 |
| 48 | Financial Analyst | Finance | $102,260 | $67,500–$181,190 | $61,602 | 19,600 |
| 49 | Elementary School Teacher | Education | $101,860 | $62,250–$129,130 | $61,361 | 44,790 |
| 50 | Secondary School Teacher | Education | $100,960 | $67,190–$133,850 | $60,819 | 32,250 |
| 51 | Operations Research Analyst | Technology | $98,270 | $62,420–$161,660 | $59,199 | 3,480 |
| 52 | Accountant | Finance | $94,360 | $60,310–$154,630 | $56,843 | 70,640 |
| 53 | Market Research Analyst | Management | $82,990 | $48,720–$157,370 | $49,994 | 39,390 |
| 54 | Loan Officer | Finance | $80,360 | $35,930–$167,860 | $48,410 | 9,690 |
| 55 | Public Relations Specialist | Creative | $79,860 | $48,090–$136,870 | $48,108 | 11,910 |
| 56 | Paralegal | Legal | $77,520 | $51,200–$112,160 | $46,699 | 22,240 |
| 57 | Writer/Author | Creative | $77,250 | $60,740–$162,030 | $46,536 | 0 |
| 58 | Carpenter | Trades | $75,740 | $46,860–$117,430 | $45,627 | 30,600 |
| 59 | Electrician | Trades | $73,810 | $46,140–$131,680 | $44,464 | 20,610 |
| 60 | Graphic Designer | Creative | $72,400 | $45,500–$123,590 | $43,614 | 13,810 |
| 61 | Plumber | Trades | $71,110 | $46,090–$125,080 | $42,837 | 15,690 |
| 62 | Clinical Laboratory Technologist | Healthcare | $67,430 | $46,790–$122,540 | $40,620 | 10,150 |
| 63 | Automotive Technician | Trades | $62,820 | $36,520–$90,890 | $37,843 | 22,330 |
| 64 | Computer Network Support Specialist | Technology | $57,220 | $50,090–$116,230 | $34,470 | 5,390 |
| 65 | Welder | Trades | $56,160 | $44,530–$79,870 | $33,831 | 7,850 |
Why These Roles Pay the Most in Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles, CA is unusually large and economically diverse — entertainment, healthcare, logistics, and aerospace each anchor distinct slices of the labor market. The result is a wide range of high-paying occupations with no single dominant sector.
An average median salary above $90K places this metro in the top tier of U.S. cities for nominal pay. Most of that premium accrues to the upper percentiles of skilled and managerial occupations; entry-level and service-sector pay is closer to national norms.
Los Angeles, CA's cost-of-living index of 166 is among the highest tracked anywhere. Roughly 50% of nominal salary gains relative to a national-average metro are absorbed by housing alone; an additional 5–15% is consumed by transportation, food, and services. The COL-Adjusted column in the table above translates each nominal salary back to "what would buy this much in an average-cost metro" — that is the right benchmark for a cross-city comparison.
How to Use This Ranking
For salary negotiation, the median is a starting anchor — not the ceiling. A Obstetrician/Gynecologist with five-plus years of experience in Los Angeles, CA should be benchmarking against the 75th percentile ($351,340) or 90th percentile ($401,440), not the $301,240 median. Use the salary percentile calculator to place any specific salary into the BLS distribution for any role-and-city pair.
For cross-city comparisons, ignore the nominal Median column and look at COL-Adjusted. A $301K Obstetrician/Gynecologist salary in Los Angeles, CA (COL 166) translates to $181K of buying power in an average-cost metro — that is the apples-to-apples figure when weighing a relocation. Read the methodology behind these adjustments in our methodology page.
For job hunting, focus on the top-10 ranking above and on the role-by-role detail pages — each links through to a Obstetrician/Gynecologist in Los Angeles, CA page with full percentile breakdowns, year-over-year change, and prevailing-wage references for H-1B / PERM applicants.
Frequently Asked Questions
The highest paying job in Los Angeles, CA is Obstetrician/Gynecologist with a median salary of $301,240 and a 90th-percentile reading of $401,440. The role employs roughly 0 workers in this metro according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' 2025 OEWS data.
50 of the 65 BLS-tracked occupations in Los Angeles, CA have a median salary of $100,000 or higher. That is well above what most U.S. metros offer. See the full list ranked by median salary above.
Across 65 BLS-tracked occupations, the average median salary in Los Angeles, CA is $122,494. The cost-of-living index is 166, so adjusted to a national-average baseline, the average is $73,792 in equivalent purchasing power.
Los Angeles, CA offers high nominal salaries — the average median is $122,494 — but the cost of living index of 166 consumes a meaningful share of that premium. The COL-adjusted average is $73,792, which is the right comparison when weighing offers in lower-cost metros.
Every wage figure on this page is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program at bls.gov/oes — public domain federal survey data covering about 1.2 million U.S. employers across all industries. The OEWS publishes 10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentile wages by Metropolitan Statistical Area and Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code. The same data is used by the Department of Labor for prevailing wage determinations.
Related Pages
Rankings based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025 reference period. COL adjustments use a composite cost-of-living index calibrated to U.S. average = 100.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2026.