Updated May 2026 · BLS OEWS 2025 reference period
64 Highest Paying Jobs in Sacramento, CA (2026)
The highest-paying job in Sacramento, CA, California is Pediatrician with a median salary of $395,040 as of 2026, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data. Across all 64 tracked occupations the average median is $126,232, with 48 occupations paying a six-figure ($100K+) median. Sacramento, CA has a cost-of-living index of 124.7 (national average = 100), so a $126,232 nominal salary equals $101,229 in average-cost-metro buying power.
The 64 occupations below are ranked by median wage in Sacramento, CA, CA, from BLS OEWS data. Sacramento, CA's cost-of-living index runs 124.7 (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 Sacramento, CA, the percentile data is the most decision-relevant.
Top 10 Highest-Paying Jobs in Sacramento, CA
Ranked by median (50th percentile) salary. The COL-Adjusted column rebases each nominal salary to Sacramento, CA's cost-of-living index of 124.7 so you can compare buying power against an average-cost U.S. metro.
Median $395,040 · 10th–90th $239,060–$395,050 · 100 jobs in metro
Pediatricians in Sacramento, CA earn $395,040 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $395,050. Adjusted for the local cost of living, that median equals $316,792 of buying power in an average-cost U.S. metro.
Median $345,310 · 10th–90th $180,250–$440,330 · 830 jobs in metro
Family Medicine Physicians in Sacramento, CA earn $345,310 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $440,330. Adjusted for the local cost of living, that median equals $276,913 of buying power in an average-cost U.S. metro.
Median $178,540 · 10th–90th $80,540–$284,610 · 7,620 jobs in metro
Lawyers in Sacramento, CA earn $178,540 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $284,610. Adjusted for the local cost of living, that median equals $143,176 of buying power in an average-cost U.S. metro.
Median $172,680 · 10th–90th $104,420–$213,820 · 2,310 jobs in metro
Pharmacists in Sacramento, CA earn $172,680 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $213,820. Adjusted for the local cost of living, that median equals $138,476 of buying power in an average-cost U.S. metro.
Median $172,010 · 10th–90th $105,540–$240,100 · 1,170 jobs in metro
Nurse Practitioners in Sacramento, CA earn $172,010 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $240,100. Adjusted for the local cost of living, that median equals $137,939 of buying power in an average-cost U.S. metro.
Median $171,460 · 10th–90th $100,630–$218,780 · 23,590 jobs in metro
Registered Nurses in Sacramento, CA earn $171,460 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $218,780. Adjusted for the local cost of living, that median equals $137,498 of buying power in an average-cost U.S. metro.
Median $170,500 · 10th–90th $121,630–$266,300 · 970 jobs in metro
Dentists in Sacramento, CA earn $170,500 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $266,300. Adjusted for the local cost of living, that median equals $136,728 of buying power in an average-cost U.S. metro.
Median $165,270 · 10th–90th $126,650–$277,490 · 4,070 jobs in metro
Computer and Information Systems Managers in Sacramento, CA earn $165,270 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $277,490. Adjusted for the local cost of living, that median equals $132,534 of buying power in an average-cost U.S. metro.
Median $165,260 · 10th–90th $87,220–$294,620 · 830 jobs in metro
Veterinarians in Sacramento, CA earn $165,260 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $294,620. Adjusted for the local cost of living, that median equals $132,526 of buying power in an average-cost U.S. metro.
Median $164,270 · 10th–90th $98,100–$303,070 · 1,610 jobs in metro
Marketing Managers in Sacramento, CA earn $164,270 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $303,070. Adjusted for the local cost of living, that median equals $131,732 of buying power in an average-cost U.S. metro.
Full Ranking (64 Occupations)
| Rank | Role | Category | Median | 10th–90th | COL-Adjusted | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pediatrician | Healthcare | $395,040 | $239,060–$395,050 | $316,792 | 100 |
| 2 | Family Medicine Physician | Healthcare | $345,310 | $180,250–$440,330 | $276,913 | 830 |
| 3 | Lawyer | Legal | $178,540 | $80,540–$284,610 | $143,176 | 7,620 |
| 4 | Pharmacist | Healthcare | $172,680 | $104,420–$213,820 | $138,476 | 2,310 |
| 5 | Nurse Practitioner | Healthcare | $172,010 | $105,540–$240,100 | $137,939 | 1,170 |
| 6 | Registered Nurse | Healthcare | $171,460 | $100,630–$218,780 | $137,498 | 23,590 |
| 7 | Dentist | Healthcare | $170,500 | $121,630–$266,300 | $136,728 | 970 |
| 8 | Computer and Information Systems Manager | Technology | $165,270 | $126,650–$277,490 | $132,534 | 4,070 |
| 9 | Veterinarian | Healthcare | $165,260 | $87,220–$294,620 | $132,526 | 830 |
| 10 | Marketing Manager | Management | $164,270 | $98,100–$303,070 | $131,732 | 1,610 |
| 11 | Financial Manager | Finance | $163,090 | $96,990–$304,580 | $130,786 | 4,840 |
| 12 | Physician Assistant | Healthcare | $161,470 | $72,440–$225,400 | $129,487 | 1,070 |
| 13 | Medical and Health Services Manager | Healthcare | $159,350 | $74,070–$243,260 | $127,787 | 4,500 |
| 14 | Human Resources Manager | Management | $155,360 | $86,210–$295,790 | $124,587 | 1,300 |
| 15 | Computer Network Architect | Technology | $141,350 | $79,140–$201,590 | $113,352 | 580 |
| 16 | Software Developer | Technology | $139,640 | $100,040–$209,140 | $111,981 | 7,460 |
| 17 | Software Quality Assurance Analyst | Technology | $139,210 | $83,450–$256,140 | $111,636 | 140 |
| 18 | Optometrist | Healthcare | $139,020 | $105,860–$219,070 | $111,484 | 510 |
| 19 | Electrical Engineer | Engineering | $136,190 | $81,140–$196,930 | $109,214 | 1,420 |
| 20 | Audiologist | Healthcare | $134,990 | $75,310–$164,840 | $108,252 | 0 |
| 21 | Information Security Analyst | Technology | $133,570 | $72,800–$210,600 | $107,113 | 570 |
| 22 | Physical Therapist | Healthcare | $131,430 | $99,240–$159,250 | $105,397 | 1,610 |
| 23 | Civil Engineer | Engineering | $130,150 | $81,680–$175,940 | $104,370 | 5,590 |
| 24 | Personal Financial Advisor | Finance | $127,950 | $68,640–$315,050 | $102,606 | 1,260 |
| 25 | Speech-Language Pathologist | Healthcare | $126,360 | $85,030–$148,300 | $101,331 | 1,030 |
| 26 | Architect | Engineering | $125,980 | $77,670–$171,050 | $101,026 | 640 |
| 27 | Engineers (Other) | Engineering | $124,220 | $57,070–$171,770 | $99,615 | 1,390 |
| 28 | Occupational Therapist | Healthcare | $122,780 | $94,910–$154,940 | $98,460 | 810 |
| 29 | Dental Hygienist | Healthcare | $122,540 | $119,720–$127,610 | $98,268 | 2,200 |
| 30 | Computer Systems Analyst | Technology | $122,330 | $72,070–$162,800 | $98,099 | 3,170 |
| 31 | Mechanical Engineer | Engineering | $120,970 | $82,990–$170,600 | $97,009 | 1,480 |
| 32 | Database Architect | Technology | $120,500 | $62,410–$165,340 | $96,632 | 410 |
| 33 | General and Operations Manager | Management | $118,460 | $51,520–$248,800 | $94,996 | 17,980 |
| 34 | Statistician | Technology | $117,870 | $79,020–$153,390 | $94,523 | 140 |
| 35 | Sales Manager | Management | $113,980 | $60,510–$243,410 | $91,403 | 4,910 |
| 36 | Business Professor (Postsecondary) | Education | $113,550 | $78,240–$207,700 | $91,059 | 170 |
| 37 | Web Developer | Technology | $112,840 | $59,240–$199,990 | $90,489 | 480 |
| 38 | Computer Occupations (Other) | Technology | $110,980 | $55,220–$174,240 | $88,998 | 2,700 |
| 39 | Industrial Engineer | Engineering | $110,190 | $68,080–$169,460 | $88,364 | 910 |
| 40 | Secondary School Teacher | Education | $105,060 | $66,570–$125,920 | $84,250 | 6,040 |
| 41 | Network Architect | Technology | $104,800 | $73,490–$158,700 | $84,042 | 1,330 |
| 42 | Software Quality Assurance Tester | Technology | $104,410 | $58,870–$158,940 | $83,729 | 930 |
| 43 | Operations Research Analyst | Technology | $104,210 | $72,030–$163,040 | $83,569 | 510 |
| 44 | Financial Analyst | Finance | $103,980 | $74,170–$177,470 | $83,384 | 1,590 |
| 45 | Data Scientist | Technology | $103,700 | $77,430–$160,740 | $83,160 | 2,710 |
| 46 | Elementary School Teacher | Education | $103,390 | $60,980–$117,100 | $82,911 | 10,480 |
| 47 | Financial Examiner | Finance | $102,630 | $62,290–$135,110 | $82,302 | 410 |
| 48 | Computer Programmer | Technology | $102,600 | $67,200–$167,300 | $82,277 | 580 |
| 49 | Web Designer | Technology | $98,560 | $59,340–$166,620 | $79,038 | 190 |
| 50 | Accountant | Finance | $92,110 | $61,350–$131,840 | $73,865 | 13,170 |
| 51 | Public Relations Specialist | Creative | $89,640 | $55,920–$135,460 | $71,885 | 2,620 |
| 52 | Computer Network Support Specialist | Technology | $83,420 | $57,140–$145,890 | $66,897 | 590 |
| 53 | Clinical Laboratory Technologist | Healthcare | $83,150 | $49,310–$127,360 | $66,680 | 2,020 |
| 54 | Management Analyst | Management | $82,990 | $61,320–$113,940 | $66,552 | 25,600 |
| 55 | Writer/Author | Creative | $82,690 | $41,540–$152,670 | $66,311 | 240 |
| 56 | Loan Officer | Finance | $79,190 | $39,800–$161,480 | $63,504 | 1,580 |
| 57 | Market Research Analyst | Management | $78,630 | $38,110–$138,400 | $63,055 | 4,470 |
| 58 | Paralegal | Legal | $78,550 | $51,980–$113,290 | $62,991 | 2,590 |
| 59 | Electrician | Trades | $74,830 | $46,230–$130,020 | $60,008 | 6,340 |
| 60 | Graphic Designer | Creative | $74,680 | $46,870–$117,870 | $59,888 | 920 |
| 61 | Carpenter | Trades | $74,440 | $45,640–$114,760 | $59,695 | 9,730 |
| 62 | Automotive Technician | Trades | $72,020 | $41,040–$96,030 | $57,755 | 4,870 |
| 63 | Plumber | Trades | $65,210 | $46,620–$131,100 | $52,294 | 3,120 |
| 64 | Welder | Trades | $57,290 | $47,220–$79,950 | $45,942 | 1,530 |
Why These Roles Pay the Most in Sacramento, CA
Sacramento, CA's pay distribution reflects its mix of regional employers and industries, plus the local cost of living that affects nominal salary levels in the BLS data.
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.
Sacramento, CA's cost-of-living index of 124.7 runs 25% above the U.S. national average. Housing is the dominant driver; transportation and services are also above-average. The COL-Adjusted column rebases each salary to a national-average baseline, which is the apples-to-apples comparison when you are weighing offers across metros.
How to Use This Ranking
For salary negotiation, the median is a starting anchor — not the ceiling. A Pediatrician with five-plus years of experience in Sacramento, CA should be benchmarking against the 75th percentile ($395,045) or 90th percentile ($395,050), not the $395,040 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 $395K Pediatrician salary in Sacramento, CA (COL 124.7) translates to $317K 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 Pediatrician in Sacramento, 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 Sacramento, CA is Pediatrician with a median salary of $395,040 and a 90th-percentile reading of $395,050. The role employs roughly 100 workers in this metro according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' 2025 OEWS data.
48 of the 64 BLS-tracked occupations in Sacramento, 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 64 BLS-tracked occupations, the average median salary in Sacramento, CA is $126,232. The cost-of-living index is 124.7, so adjusted to a national-average baseline, the average is $101,229 in equivalent purchasing power.
Sacramento, CA offers high nominal salaries — the average median is $126,232 — but the cost of living index of 124.7 consumes a meaningful share of that premium. The COL-adjusted average is $101,229, 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.