Highest Paying Jobs in San Jose, CA (2024)
The highest paying job in San Jose, CA is Marketing Manager at $228,580 median salary. Across 49 tracked occupations, the average median is $143,453. San Jose, CA has a cost-of-living index of 195.8.
49
Roles Ranked
$143,453
Avg Median
195.8
COL Index
$228,580
Top Salary
All Jobs Ranked by Salary
| Rank | Role | Category | Median | Range (10th–90th) | COL-Adjusted | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marketing Manager | Management | $228,580 | $134,140 – $487,928 | $116,742 | 7,590 |
| 2 | Nurse Practitioner | Healthcare | $225,730 | $159,020 – $215,610 | $115,286 | 1,280 |
| 3 | Financial Manager | Finance | $218,920 | $128,350 – $576,248 | $111,808 | 9,350 |
| 4 | Physician Assistant | Healthcare | $215,600 | $96,430 – $136,342 | $110,112 | 0 |
| 5 | Registered Nurse | Healthcare | $208,940 | $126,150 – $226,240 | $106,711 | 21,460 |
| 6 | Software Developer | Technology | $208,270 | $134,830 – $241,114 | $106,369 | 90,280 |
| 7 | Sales Manager | Management | $200,450 | $83,130 – $237,342 | $102,375 | 9,170 |
| 8 | Pharmacist | Healthcare | $196,250 | $150,230 – $225,660 | $100,230 | 1,950 |
| 9 | Software Quality Assurance Analyst | Technology | $191,880 | $117,020 – $258,281 | $97,998 | 2,190 |
| 10 | Electrical Engineer | Engineering | $186,920 | $114,800 – $270,088 | $95,465 | 4,750 |
| 11 | Web Developer | Technology | $178,100 | $97,210 – $261,176 | $90,960 | 4,290 |
| 12 | Information Security Analyst | Technology | $175,520 | $90,910 – $278,054 | $89,642 | 2,500 |
| 13 | Computer Network Architect | Technology | $174,120 | $107,800 – $270,490 | $88,927 | 2,950 |
| 14 | Data Scientist | Technology | $173,160 | $107,470 – $276,108 | $88,437 | 6,570 |
| 15 | Computer Occupations (Other) | Technology | $168,070 | $79,050 – $270,167 | $85,838 | 15,550 |
| 16 | Medical and Health Services Manager | Healthcare | $167,460 | $64,910 – $285,588 | $85,526 | 4,510 |
| 17 | Software Quality Assurance Tester | Technology | $165,700 | $82,150 – $223,560 | $84,627 | 7,590 |
| 18 | General and Operations Manager | Management | $162,480 | $76,470 – $336,682 | $82,983 | 17,070 |
| 19 | Computer Systems Analyst | Technology | $160,800 | $84,700 – $238,770 | $82,125 | 8,510 |
| 20 | Engineers (Other) | Engineering | $157,770 | $91,110 – $222,300 | $80,577 | 3,490 |
| 21 | Mechanical Engineer | Engineering | $147,730 | $100,540 – $224,620 | $75,449 | 3,910 |
| 22 | Management Analyst | Management | $141,150 | $86,920 – $230,137 | $72,089 | 9,940 |
| 23 | Market Research Analyst | Management | $139,140 | $50,660 – $221,110 | $71,062 | 12,240 |
| 24 | Physical Therapist | Healthcare | $137,250 | $105,240 – $175,410 | $70,097 | 1,350 |
| 25 | Industrial Engineer | Engineering | $136,290 | $88,680 – $210,070 | $69,607 | 3,850 |
| 26 | Speech-Language Pathologist | Healthcare | $135,860 | $83,400 – $164,530 | $69,387 | 630 |
| 27 | Dental Hygienist | Healthcare | $135,010 | $132,760 – $159,730 | $68,953 | 1,560 |
| 28 | Financial Analyst | Finance | $134,470 | $93,960 – $224,280 | $68,677 | 4,740 |
| 29 | Architect | Engineering | $134,200 | $81,180 – $220,720 | $68,539 | 560 |
| 30 | Civil Engineer | Engineering | $129,260 | $83,620 – $199,560 | $66,016 | 3,180 |
| 31 | Business Professor (Postsecondary) | Education | $128,730 | $57,970 – $220,120 | $65,746 | 600 |
| 32 | Network Architect | Technology | $128,620 | $75,580 – $186,840 | $65,689 | 2,960 |
| 33 | Personal Financial Advisor | Finance | $126,480 | $74,620 – $311,630 | $64,597 | 1,940 |
| 34 | Accountant | Finance | $121,630 | $75,680 – $200,450 | $62,120 | 13,410 |
| 35 | Financial Examiner | Finance | $109,450 | $63,090 – $165,530 | $55,899 | 170 |
| 36 | Writer/Author | Creative | $107,810 | $52,240 – $190,620 | $55,061 | 390 |
| 37 | Secondary School Teacher | Education | $103,640 | $63,290 – $150,400 | $52,932 | 4,470 |
| 38 | Public Relations Specialist | Creative | $101,200 | $40,450 – $206,990 | $51,685 | 2,400 |
| 39 | Elementary School Teacher | Education | $99,780 | $61,440 – $124,810 | $50,960 | 6,610 |
| 40 | Graphic Designer | Creative | $98,530 | $57,030 – $170,940 | $50,322 | 1,510 |
| 41 | Computer Network Support Specialist | Technology | $98,490 | $59,260 – $181,110 | $50,301 | 840 |
| 42 | Paralegal | Legal | $97,740 | $58,900 – $150,120 | $49,918 | 2,050 |
| 43 | Electrician | Trades | $95,020 | $56,230 – $169,770 | $48,529 | 5,540 |
| 44 | Plumber | Trades | $90,220 | $58,620 – $169,280 | $46,078 | 2,230 |
| 45 | Loan Officer | Finance | $81,990 | $42,180 – $164,630 | $41,874 | 1,480 |
| 46 | Clinical Laboratory Technologist | Healthcare | $81,900 | $61,280 – $144,520 | $41,828 | 1,820 |
| 47 | Carpenter | Trades | $78,090 | $49,710 – $130,570 | $39,883 | 4,800 |
| 48 | Automotive Technician | Trades | $77,260 | $48,920 – $105,790 | $39,459 | 3,080 |
| 49 | Welder | Trades | $67,560 | $50,050 – $115,370 | $34,505 | 1,160 |
Frequently Asked Questions
The highest paying job in San Jose, CA is Marketing Manager with a median salary of $228,580, according to BLS data for 2024.
Across 49 tracked occupations, the average median salary in San Jose, CA is $143,453. The city's cost-of-living index is 195.8 (national average = 100).
San Jose, CA offers high nominal salaries but has a cost-of-living index of 195.8, meaning living expenses are 96% above the national average. Compare the COL-adjusted column to see real purchasing power.
Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS
Last updated:
Rankings based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. COL adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parities.