Updated May 2026 · BLS OEWS 2025 reference period
64 Highest Paying Jobs in San Jose, CA (2026)
The highest-paying job in San Jose, CA, California is Family Medicine Physician with a median salary of $351,760 as of 2026, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data. Across all 64 tracked occupations the average median is $162,125, with 56 occupations paying a six-figure ($100K+) median. San Jose, CA has a cost-of-living index of 195.8 (national average = 100), so a $162,125 nominal salary equals $82,801 in average-cost-metro buying power.
The 64 occupations below are ranked by median wage in San Jose, CA, CA, from BLS OEWS data. San Jose, CA's cost-of-living index runs 195.8 (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 San Jose, CA, the percentile data is the most decision-relevant.
Top 10 Highest-Paying Jobs in San Jose, CA
Ranked by median (50th percentile) salary. The COL-Adjusted column rebases each nominal salary to San Jose, CA's cost-of-living index of 195.8 so you can compare buying power against an average-cost U.S. metro.
Median $351,760 · 10th–90th $83,390–$372,950 · 1,120 jobs in metro
Family Medicine Physicians in San Jose, CA earn $351,760 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $372,950. Adjusted for the local cost of living, that median equals $179,653 of buying power in an average-cost U.S. metro.
Median $301,320 · 10th–90th $129,350–$421,000 · 6,040 jobs in metro
Lawyers in San Jose, CA earn $301,320 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $421,000. Adjusted for the local cost of living, that median equals $153,892 of buying power in an average-cost U.S. metro.
Median $291,660 · 10th–90th $164,400–$377,060 · 19,070 jobs in metro
Computer and Information Systems Managers in San Jose, CA earn $291,660 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $377,060. Adjusted for the local cost of living, that median equals $148,958 of buying power in an average-cost U.S. metro.
Median $263,990 · 10th–90th $125,630–$382,600 · 0 jobs in metro
Obstetrician/Gynecologists in San Jose, CA earn $263,990 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $382,600. Adjusted for the local cost of living, that median equals $134,826 of buying power in an average-cost U.S. metro.
Median $231,560 · 10th–90th $163,670–$283,410 · 1,580 jobs in metro
Nurse Practitioners in San Jose, CA earn $231,560 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $283,410. Adjusted for the local cost of living, that median equals $118,264 of buying power in an average-cost U.S. metro.
Median $231,370 · 10th–90th $143,670–$350,150 · 7,300 jobs in metro
Marketing Managers in San Jose, CA earn $231,370 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $350,150. Adjusted for the local cost of living, that median equals $118,166 of buying power in an average-cost U.S. metro.
Median $225,280 · 10th–90th $134,010–$447,580 · 7,970 jobs in metro
Financial Managers in San Jose, CA earn $225,280 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $447,580. Adjusted for the local cost of living, that median equals $115,056 of buying power in an average-cost U.S. metro.
Median $223,640 · 10th–90th $100,240–$287,420 · 1,030 jobs in metro
Physician Assistants in San Jose, CA earn $223,640 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $287,420. Adjusted for the local cost of living, that median equals $114,219 of buying power in an average-cost U.S. metro.
Median $220,460 · 10th–90th $124,990–$397,910 · 2,800 jobs in metro
Human Resources Managers in San Jose, CA earn $220,460 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $397,910. Adjusted for the local cost of living, that median equals $112,594 of buying power in an average-cost U.S. metro.
Median $218,420 · 10th–90th $133,270–$310,190 · 2,210 jobs in metro
Software Quality Assurance Analysts in San Jose, CA earn $218,420 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $310,190. Adjusted for the local cost of living, that median equals $111,553 of buying power in an average-cost U.S. metro.
Full Ranking (64 Occupations)
| Rank | Role | Category | Median | 10th–90th | COL-Adjusted | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Family Medicine Physician | Healthcare | $351,760 | $83,390–$372,950 | $179,653 | 1,120 |
| 2 | Lawyer | Legal | $301,320 | $129,350–$421,000 | $153,892 | 6,040 |
| 3 | Computer and Information Systems Manager | Technology | $291,660 | $164,400–$377,060 | $148,958 | 19,070 |
| 4 | Obstetrician/Gynecologist | Healthcare | $263,990 | $125,630–$382,600 | $134,826 | 0 |
| 5 | Nurse Practitioner | Healthcare | $231,560 | $163,670–$283,410 | $118,264 | 1,580 |
| 6 | Marketing Manager | Management | $231,370 | $143,670–$350,150 | $118,166 | 7,300 |
| 7 | Financial Manager | Finance | $225,280 | $134,010–$447,580 | $115,056 | 7,970 |
| 8 | Physician Assistant | Healthcare | $223,640 | $100,240–$287,420 | $114,219 | 1,030 |
| 9 | Human Resources Manager | Management | $220,460 | $124,990–$397,910 | $112,594 | 2,800 |
| 10 | Software Quality Assurance Analyst | Technology | $218,420 | $133,270–$310,190 | $111,553 | 2,210 |
| 11 | Registered Nurse | Healthcare | $216,740 | $124,140–$235,190 | $110,695 | 22,930 |
| 12 | Software Developer | Technology | $213,110 | $138,420–$289,150 | $108,841 | 87,350 |
| 13 | Dentist | Healthcare | $207,910 | $124,470–$294,290 | $106,185 | 1,130 |
| 14 | Statistician | Technology | $202,840 | $119,280–$215,920 | $103,596 | 320 |
| 15 | Sales Manager | Management | $201,780 | $84,330–$345,980 | $103,054 | 8,940 |
| 16 | Web Developer | Technology | $201,260 | $113,680–$285,730 | $102,789 | 4,400 |
| 17 | Pharmacist | Healthcare | $199,040 | $151,900–$234,080 | $101,655 | 1,960 |
| 18 | Veterinarian | Healthcare | $192,160 | $83,370–$323,260 | $98,141 | 350 |
| 19 | Electrical Engineer | Engineering | $187,060 | $116,900–$258,100 | $95,536 | 4,160 |
| 20 | Computer Network Architect | Technology | $186,110 | $129,340–$274,500 | $95,051 | 2,730 |
| 21 | Data Scientist | Technology | $185,080 | $109,740–$282,840 | $94,525 | 6,060 |
| 22 | Computer Occupations (Other) | Technology | $184,430 | $98,340–$290,240 | $94,193 | 16,680 |
| 23 | Information Security Analyst | Technology | $176,120 | $90,290–$278,340 | $89,949 | 2,280 |
| 24 | Medical and Health Services Manager | Healthcare | $171,210 | $88,450–$288,910 | $87,441 | 4,560 |
| 25 | Engineers (Other) | Engineering | $169,650 | $94,240–$266,030 | $86,645 | 4,970 |
| 26 | Mechanical Engineer | Engineering | $168,030 | $105,400–$217,530 | $85,817 | 5,540 |
| 27 | Web Designer | Technology | $166,670 | $89,030–$233,990 | $85,123 | 1,130 |
| 28 | Software Quality Assurance Tester | Technology | $166,530 | $84,240–$215,130 | $85,051 | 6,480 |
| 29 | General and Operations Manager | Management | $163,860 | $76,890–$346,810 | $83,687 | 17,230 |
| 30 | Business Professor (Postsecondary) | Education | $160,090 | $74,920–$324,590 | $81,762 | 830 |
| 31 | Computer Systems Analyst | Technology | $157,140 | $92,190–$214,420 | $80,255 | 7,260 |
| 32 | Computer Programmer | Technology | $154,920 | $81,750–$202,640 | $79,122 | 980 |
| 33 | Financial Analyst | Finance | $144,910 | $93,190–$220,280 | $74,009 | 3,880 |
| 34 | Market Research Analyst | Management | $141,960 | $66,660–$251,750 | $72,503 | 12,710 |
| 35 | Dental Hygienist | Healthcare | $139,990 | $128,620–$156,850 | $71,496 | 1,620 |
| 36 | Physical Therapist | Healthcare | $139,000 | $104,000–$171,560 | $70,991 | 1,460 |
| 37 | Database Architect | Technology | $138,620 | $83,870–$217,830 | $70,797 | 580 |
| 38 | Industrial Engineer | Engineering | $136,950 | $97,480–$206,190 | $69,944 | 4,800 |
| 39 | Occupational Therapist | Healthcare | $136,870 | $97,450–$169,990 | $69,903 | 840 |
| 40 | Personal Financial Advisor | Finance | $136,820 | $69,340–$482,130 | $69,877 | 1,530 |
| 41 | Management Analyst | Management | $136,670 | $80,810–$223,170 | $69,801 | 9,020 |
| 42 | Optometrist | Healthcare | $135,330 | $134,370–$207,720 | $69,116 | 580 |
| 43 | Audiologist | Healthcare | $133,910 | $70,010–$182,890 | $68,391 | 70 |
| 44 | Network Architect | Technology | $133,360 | $78,530–$198,860 | $68,110 | 2,460 |
| 45 | Speech-Language Pathologist | Healthcare | $132,720 | $72,080–$170,500 | $67,783 | 890 |
| 46 | Civil Engineer | Engineering | $130,280 | $81,790–$205,330 | $66,537 | 3,170 |
| 47 | Architect | Engineering | $129,640 | $80,040–$229,250 | $66,210 | 660 |
| 48 | Computer Network Support Specialist | Technology | $124,130 | $74,110–$205,400 | $63,396 | 1,080 |
| 49 | Financial Examiner | Finance | $123,750 | $73,540–$187,080 | $63,202 | 190 |
| 50 | Operations Research Analyst | Technology | $123,360 | $80,290–$201,930 | $63,003 | 920 |
| 51 | Accountant | Finance | $121,700 | $78,440–$196,890 | $62,155 | 13,180 |
| 52 | Writer/Author | Creative | $118,810 | $62,680–$176,980 | $60,679 | 400 |
| 53 | Public Relations Specialist | Creative | $117,620 | $61,130–$212,960 | $60,072 | 2,200 |
| 54 | Secondary School Teacher | Education | $108,230 | $70,820–$151,810 | $55,276 | 4,130 |
| 55 | Plumber | Trades | $107,560 | $63,270–$155,600 | $54,934 | 3,830 |
| 56 | Elementary School Teacher | Education | $102,860 | $64,770–$126,980 | $52,533 | 7,810 |
| 57 | Paralegal | Legal | $99,250 | $60,030–$157,450 | $50,689 | 2,030 |
| 58 | Graphic Designer | Creative | $97,360 | $59,870–$164,520 | $49,724 | 1,280 |
| 59 | Loan Officer | Finance | $95,090 | $40,570–$205,560 | $48,565 | 1,140 |
| 60 | Electrician | Trades | $91,030 | $54,290–$173,340 | $46,491 | 5,480 |
| 61 | Clinical Laboratory Technologist | Healthcare | $84,870 | $66,830–$149,630 | $43,345 | 1,870 |
| 62 | Carpenter | Trades | $80,190 | $55,210–$133,860 | $40,955 | 4,460 |
| 63 | Automotive Technician | Trades | $77,840 | $47,090–$101,760 | $39,755 | 3,040 |
| 64 | Welder | Trades | $64,140 | $49,130–$92,310 | $32,758 | 1,050 |
Why These Roles Pay the Most in San Jose, CA
San Jose, CA is the highest-paying U.S. metro for technology occupations by a wide margin — Silicon Valley's headquarters concentration of Apple, Google, and Meta-tier employers drives wages for software developers, data scientists, and engineers far above the national distribution. The cost of living index is also the highest tracked here.
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.
San Jose, CA's cost-of-living index of 195.8 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 Family Medicine Physician with five-plus years of experience in San Jose, CA should be benchmarking against the 75th percentile ($362,355) or 90th percentile ($372,950), not the $351,760 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 $352K Family Medicine Physician salary in San Jose, CA (COL 195.8) translates to $180K 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 Family Medicine Physician in San Jose, 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 San Jose, CA is Family Medicine Physician with a median salary of $351,760 and a 90th-percentile reading of $372,950. The role employs roughly 1,120 workers in this metro according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' 2025 OEWS data.
56 of the 64 BLS-tracked occupations in San Jose, 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 San Jose, CA is $162,125. The cost-of-living index is 195.8, so adjusted to a national-average baseline, the average is $82,801 in equivalent purchasing power.
San Jose, CA offers high nominal salaries — the average median is $162,125 — but the cost of living index of 195.8 consumes a meaningful share of that premium. The COL-adjusted average is $82,801, 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.