How much does a life make in California?
$78,350a year
Median yearly pay for lifes in California. That is $37.67 an hour or $6,529 a month.
- Hourly
- $37.67
- Vs. national median
- +26%
- Rank among states
- 3 of 50
- Jobs in the state
- 10,090
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $47,640Median: $78,350Highest 10%: $107,500
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $47,640 | $22.90 | |
| 25th | $62,620 | $30.11 | |
| Median | $78,350 | $37.67 | |
| 75th | $97,540 | $46.89 | |
| 90th | $107,500 | $51.67 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| Bakersfield, CA | $87,180 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $86,450 |
| San Jose, CA | $83,160 |
| Stockton, CA | $79,830 |
| Vallejo, CA | $79,180 |
| San Francisco, CA | $77,670 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $77,510 |
| Riverside, CA | $76,630 |
| San Diego, CA | $75,970 |
| Oxnard, CA | $74,100 |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $66,290 |
| Sacramento, CA | $64,240 |
| Salinas, CA | $63,510 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $62,510 |
| Chico, CA | $60,900 |
| Fresno, CA | $57,310 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for lifes.
| 1. Oklahoma | $86,260 |
| 2. District of Columbia | $79,230 |
| 3. California | $78,350 |
| 4. Washington | $73,530 |
| 5. Alaska | $70,700 |
| 6. Rhode Island | $69,630 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a life make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $37.67 ($78,350 a year).
Do lifes make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $78,350 against $62,280 nationally, 26% more.
Where does California rank for life pay?
California ranks 3 of 50 states.
Which city in California pays lifes the most?
Bakersfield-Delano, CA, with a median of $87,180 a year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.