CaliforniaCOL index: 210

Salaries in San Jose, CA

San Jose, California offers career opportunities with 9.3% state income tax. Browse salary data for every major occupation below — all figures are San Jose-specific, updated quarterly from BLS and H-1B disclosures.

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Population

1,021,795

COL index

210 / 100

Avg 1BR rent

$3,200/mo

State income tax

9.3%

Technology salaries in San Jose

Job title	Entry (25th)	Median	Senior (75th)	Top (90th)	YoY
Software Engineer	$95K	$130K	$165K	$210K	+4.2%
Data Scientist	$100K	$138K	$175K	$220K	+5.1%
Product Manager	$110K	$148K	$190K	$240K	+3.8%
DevOps Engineer	$105K	$140K	$178K	$215K	+6.2%
Cybersecurity Analyst	$85K	$115K	$148K	$185K	+7.3%
UX Designer	$72K	$99K	$130K	$165K	+3.1%
Machine Learning Engineer	$125K	$168K	$215K	$275K	+8.4%
Cloud Architect	$130K	$170K	$215K	$265K	+6.8%
Frontend Developer	$82K	$112K	$145K	$185K	+4.5%
Backend Developer	$90K	$125K	$160K	$200K	+4.3%
Full Stack Developer	$88K	$120K	$155K	$195K	+4.6%
Mobile Developer	$90K	$125K	$162K	$205K	+5.2%
Data Engineer	$98K	$132K	$168K	$210K	+6.5%
Data Analyst	$60K	$82K	$108K	$140K	+4%
Database Administrator	$78K	$105K	$135K	$170K	+2.8%
Systems Administrator	$62K	$86K	$112K	$142K	+2.2%
Network Engineer	$75K	$100K	$130K	$165K	+3%
IT Manager	$100K	$135K	$172K	$215K	+3.5%
Scrum Master	$88K	$115K	$145K	$180K	+3.2%
Solutions Architect	$120K	$158K	$200K	$250K	+5.8%
AI Engineer	$130K	$175K	$225K	$290K	+12%
Blockchain Developer	$110K	$150K	$195K	$250K	+7.5%
QA Engineer	$70K	$95K	$125K	$158K	+3%
Site Reliability Engineer	$115K	$152K	$192K	$238K	+7%
Embedded Systems Engineer	$85K	$112K	$142K	$178K	+3.8%
Technical Writer	$58K	$79K	$102K	$130K	+2.5%
IT Support Specialist	$42K	$58K	$76K	$98K	+2%
Information Security Manager	$115K	$152K	$195K	$245K	+7.8%
Penetration Tester	$88K	$118K	$152K	$195K	+8.2%
Computer Vision Engineer	$120K	$162K	$208K	$265K	+9.5%
NLP Engineer	$125K	$168K	$215K	$272K	+10.2%
Game Developer	$72K	$98K	$132K	$172K	+4.8%
Salesforce Developer	$90K	$120K	$155K	$195K	+5.5%
ERP Consultant	$85K	$115K	$150K	$190K	+3.8%

Healthcare salaries in San Jose

Job title	Entry (25th)	Median	Senior (75th)	Top (90th)	YoY
Registered Nurse	$88K	$111K	$140K	$176K	+3.5%
Physician Assistant	$146K	$176K	$209K	$250K	+4.8%
Physical Therapist	$101K	$128K	$155K	$189K	+3.2%
Healthcare Administrator	$97K	$140K	$189K	$250K	+4.1%
Nurse Practitioner	$135K	$163K	$196K	$236K	+5.2%
Pharmacist	$159K	$178K	$200K	$223K	+1.2%
Medical Doctor	$263K	$335K	$432K	$567K	+2.8%
Dentist	$200K	$243K	$304K	$392K	+2.5%
Occupational Therapist	$97K	$122K	$149K	$178K	+3.8%
Radiologist	$392K	$513K	$635K	$756K	+2.2%
Surgeon	$378K	$513K	$675K	$878K	+2.5%
Anesthesiologist	$405K	$527K	$648K	$783K	+2.1%
Medical Lab Technician	$57K	$76K	$97K	$122K	+3.2%
Respiratory Therapist	$78K	$97K	$122K	$151K	+3.8%
Speech-Language Pathologist	$92K	$115K	$142K	$173K	+4.2%
Clinical Psychologist	$97K	$128K	$169K	$219K	+3.5%
Psychiatrist	$263K	$335K	$419K	$540K	+3.8%
Medical Coder	$57K	$74K	$95K	$119K	+2.8%
ICU Nurse	$105K	$132K	$165K	$203K	+4%
Surgical Technologist	$61K	$78K	$97K	$122K	+3.5%
Paramedic	$51K	$68K	$88K	$111K	+3.2%
Registered Dietitian	$70K	$92K	$116K	$146K	+3.5%
Optometrist	$151K	$186K	$227K	$284K	+2.8%
Genetic Counselor	$97K	$122K	$149K	$182K	+5.8%

Finance salaries in San Jose

Job title	Entry (25th)	Median	Senior (75th)	Top (90th)	YoY
Financial Analyst	$99K	$138K	$189K	$261K	+3.6%
Accountant	$80K	$113K	$152K	$203K	+2.2%
Investment Banker	$174K	$261K	$406K	$653K	+3.9%
Actuary	$138K	$181K	$235K	$297K	+5.5%
Financial Advisor	$84K	$138K	$215K	$334K	+3.8%
Portfolio Manager	$167K	$235K	$326K	$464K	+4.2%
Risk Analyst	$99K	$133K	$177K	$229K	+4.5%
Tax Manager	$138K	$186K	$239K	$305K	+3%
Financial Controller	$152K	$203K	$264K	$341K	+3.2%
Chief Financial Officer	$254K	$363K	$522K	$754K	+3.5%
Credit Analyst	$75K	$102K	$133K	$174K	+2.8%
Mortgage Loan Officer	$70K	$104K	$157K	$235K	+2.5%
Compliance Officer	$104K	$142K	$189K	$249K	+4.8%
Hedge Fund Analyst	$167K	$239K	$348K	$551K	+3.5%
Private Equity Analyst	$160K	$229K	$326K	$508K	+4%
Quantitative Analyst	$181K	$249K	$334K	$464K	+6.2%
Bookkeeper	$55K	$70K	$87K	$110K	+1%
Budget Analyst	$90K	$119K	$151K	$189K	+2.5%
Insurance Underwriter	$84K	$113K	$148K	$191K	+2%
Venture Capital Analyst	$138K	$196K	$268K	$377K	+5.5%

Engineering salaries in San Jose

Job title	Entry (25th)	Median	Senior (75th)	Top (90th)	YoY
Mechanical Engineer	$102K	$136K	$176K	$220K	+2.8%
Petroleum Engineer	$156K	$206K	$267K	$341K	+1.5%
Civil Engineer	$97K	$128K	$168K	$213K	+3.4%
Electrical Engineer	$111K	$149K	$193K	$241K	+3.1%
Chemical Engineer	$114K	$153K	$199K	$253K	+2.5%
Aerospace Engineer	$128K	$173K	$224K	$281K	+3.8%
Industrial Engineer	$102K	$136K	$176K	$224K	+3.5%
Environmental Engineer	$97K	$131K	$170K	$216K	+4.2%
Biomedical Engineer	$102K	$139K	$182K	$230K	+5.2%
Structural Engineer	$99K	$131K	$170K	$216K	+3.2%
Nuclear Engineer	$135K	$178K	$224K	$281K	+2.2%
Materials Engineer	$102K	$139K	$182K	$230K	+3%
Geotechnical Engineer	$97K	$128K	$168K	$213K	+3.5%
Controls Engineer	$111K	$148K	$190K	$239K	+4%
Manufacturing Engineer	$99K	$135K	$173K	$220K	+3.2%
Process Engineer	$102K	$139K	$182K	$230K	+3.5%
Quality Engineer	$92K	$125K	$163K	$210K	+3%

Business salaries in San Jose

Job title	Entry (25th)	Median	Senior (75th)	Top (90th)	YoY
Marketing Manager	$113K	$160K	$220K	$290K	+3.3%
Human Resources Manager	$109K	$151K	$203K	$261K	+2.9%
Project Manager	$104K	$142K	$191K	$247K	+3.7%
Operations Manager	$99K	$142K	$196K	$261K	+2.5%
Business Analyst	$90K	$123K	$162K	$210K	+3.8%
Management Consultant	$116K	$167K	$235K	$326K	+4.2%
Supply Chain Manager	$113K	$157K	$206K	$264K	+4.5%
Sales Manager	$104K	$152K	$220K	$312K	+3.5%
Account Executive	$80K	$113K	$162K	$235K	+3.8%
Chief Executive Officer	$225K	$341K	$551K	$899K	+3.2%
Chief Operating Officer	$210K	$305K	$464K	$696K	+3%
Chief Marketing Officer	$210K	$305K	$447K	$667K	+3.5%
General Manager	$109K	$157K	$220K	$305K	+2.8%
Logistics Coordinator	$61K	$81K	$104K	$133K	+3.5%
Purchasing Manager	$113K	$157K	$203K	$258K	+2.5%
Digital Marketing Manager	$99K	$138K	$186K	$244K	+5.5%
SEO Specialist	$70K	$94K	$128K	$171K	+5.8%
Content Strategist	$80K	$109K	$145K	$189K	+5.2%
Brand Manager	$104K	$142K	$191K	$249K	+3.5%
Recruiter	$70K	$94K	$128K	$174K	+3.2%
Executive Assistant	$75K	$99K	$128K	$162K	+1.8%
Public Relations Manager	$99K	$138K	$189K	$249K	+3%
Event Planner	$61K	$81K	$109K	$145K	+3.8%

Education salaries in San Jose

Job title	Entry (25th)	Median	Senior (75th)	Top (90th)	YoY
K-12 Teacher	$58K	$79K	$105K	$134K	+1.8%
University Professor	$83K	$115K	$166K	$243K	+2.1%
School Principal	$105K	$131K	$160K	$195K	+2.2%
Instructional Designer	$74K	$97K	$125K	$160K	+4.5%
School Counselor	$61K	$79K	$102K	$128K	+3%
Special Education Teacher	$61K	$83K	$108K	$138K	+3.5%
Curriculum Developer	$70K	$92K	$118K	$151K	+3.8%
Education Administrator	$92K	$122K	$156K	$198K	+2.5%
Librarian	$61K	$79K	$102K	$128K	+1.5%
Academic Advisor	$51K	$67K	$87K	$110K	+3%

Legal salaries in San Jose

Job title	Entry (25th)	Median	Senior (75th)	Top (90th)	YoY
Attorney	$115K	$189K	$308K	$518K	+3.5%
Paralegal	$62K	$83K	$110K	$141K	+3.8%
Corporate Lawyer	$170K	$259K	$414K	$666K	+3.8%
Patent Attorney	$200K	$274K	$367K	$503K	+4.2%
Compliance Lawyer	$148K	$215K	$293K	$392K	+5%
Judge	$141K	$200K	$269K	$355K	+1.5%
Legal Operations Manager	$141K	$192K	$252K	$326K	+6.5%

Construction salaries in San Jose

Job title	Entry (25th)	Median	Senior (75th)	Top (90th)	YoY
Construction Manager	$113K	$152K	$200K	$261K	+4.5%
Electrician	$75K	$99K	$128K	$167K	+6.2%
Plumber	$75K	$99K	$131K	$171K	+5.5%
HVAC Technician	$70K	$90K	$116K	$148K	+5.8%
Welder	$55K	$73K	$93K	$119K	+3.5%
Carpenter	$61K	$81K	$107K	$138K	+4%
Land Surveyor	$84K	$113K	$148K	$189K	+3.8%
Construction Estimator	$90K	$122K	$160K	$206K	+4.2%

Real Estate salaries in San Jose

Job title	Entry (25th)	Median	Senior (75th)	Top (90th)	YoY
Real Estate Agent	$38K	$62K	$105K	$180K	+3.5%
Real Estate Broker	$55K	$95K	$162K	$275K	+3.5%
Property Manager	$48K	$65K	$88K	$118K	+3.2%
Real Estate Appraiser	$52K	$72K	$98K	$132K	+2.8%
Commercial Real Estate Analyst	$62K	$88K	$120K	$162K	+4%

Government salaries in San Jose

Job title	Entry (25th)	Median	Senior (75th)	Top (90th)	YoY
Urban Planner	$77K	$102K	$131K	$166K	+3.8%
Social Worker	$51K	$70K	$92K	$118K	+3.5%
Firefighter	$54K	$74K	$100K	$131K	+2.8%
Police Officer	$61K	$83K	$113K	$147K	+2.5%
Military Officer	$70K	$105K	$147K	$198K	+2%
Public Health Official	$87K	$118K	$154K	$198K	+4.5%
Policy Analyst	$74K	$100K	$131K	$169K	+3.5%
Government Budget Officer	$79K	$105K	$134K	$173K	+2.5%

Science salaries in San Jose

Job title	Entry (25th)	Median	Senior (75th)	Top (90th)	YoY
Biologist	$78K	$111K	$149K	$199K	+3.5%
Chemist	$82K	$114K	$153K	$202K	+3.2%
Physicist	$111K	$159K	$216K	$284K	+4%
Geologist	$88K	$125K	$168K	$220K	+3.8%
Epidemiologist	$97K	$128K	$168K	$216K	+4.5%
Biochemist	$88K	$125K	$173K	$230K	+4.2%
Environmental Scientist	$78K	$108K	$142K	$187K	+4.8%
Research Scientist	$102K	$139K	$187K	$249K	+4.5%
Pharmaceutical Data Scientist	$149K	$202K	$258K	$324K	+7.5%
Clinical Research Coordinator	$68K	$88K	$114K	$145K	+5.5%
Laboratory Manager	$92K	$125K	$163K	$210K	+3.8%

Creative salaries in San Jose

Job title	Entry (25th)	Median	Senior (75th)	Top (90th)	YoY
Graphic Designer	$60K	$82K	$111K	$145K	+3%
Art Director	$102K	$142K	$192K	$253K	+2.8%
Video Producer	$68K	$97K	$135K	$192K	+4.2%
Copywriter	$64K	$88K	$121K	$163K	+3.5%
Photographer	$45K	$65K	$97K	$142K	+3%
Animator	$74K	$102K	$139K	$192K	+4.5%
Journalist	$54K	$74K	$102K	$145K	+1.5%
Social Media Manager	$64K	$85K	$116K	$156K	+6.5%
Interior Designer	$60K	$82K	$114K	$153K	+3.2%
Fashion Designer	$68K	$97K	$139K	$206K	+2.5%
Music Producer	$54K	$88K	$149K	$263K	+3.5%
UX Researcher	$116K	$159K	$206K	$263K	+5.5%

Hospitality salaries in San Jose

Job title	Entry (25th)	Median	Senior (75th)	Top (90th)	YoY
Hotel Manager	$69K	$95K	$129K	$178K	+3.2%
Executive Chef	$69K	$90K	$121K	$169K	+3.8%
Restaurant Manager	$55K	$74K	$98K	$129K	+3.5%
Travel Agent	$46K	$61K	$82K	$112K	+3%
Sommelier	$55K	$77K	$108K	$152K	+3.2%

Retail salaries in San Jose

Job title	Entry (25th)	Median	Senior (75th)	Top (90th)	YoY
Retail Store Manager	$54K	$74K	$100K	$134K	+2%
Sales Representative	$54K	$79K	$118K	$177K	+3.5%
Retail Buyer	$67K	$92K	$125K	$166K	+2.5%
E-Commerce Manager	$79K	$109K	$147K	$195K	+7.5%
Business Development Manager	$92K	$131K	$179K	$246K	+4.5%

Transportation salaries in San Jose

Job title	Entry (25th)	Median	Senior (75th)	Top (90th)	YoY
Airline Pilot	$139K	$211K	$310K	$436K	+5.2%
Logistics Manager	$95K	$129K	$172K	$222K	+4.5%
Truck Driver (CDL)	$55K	$69K	$90K	$116K	+4.8%
Transportation Planner	$82K	$108K	$143K	$185K	+4.2%
Fleet Manager	$77K	$103K	$135K	$174K	+4%

Energy salaries in San Jose

Job title	Entry (25th)	Median	Senior (75th)	Top (90th)	YoY
Energy Engineer	$100K	$134K	$177K	$224K	+6.5%
Solar Installer	$54K	$67K	$87K	$113K	+22%
Wind Turbine Technician	$61K	$77K	$97K	$125K	+45%
Oil & Gas Operations Manager	$141K	$189K	$246K	$317K	+2%
Energy Analyst	$79K	$109K	$143K	$186K	+6%

Nonprofit salaries in San Jose

Job title	Entry (25th)	Median	Senior (75th)	Top (90th)	YoY
Nonprofit Executive Director	$76K	$104K	$144K	$201K	+3.2%
Grant Writer	$59K	$76K	$98K	$124K	+3.5%
Fundraising Manager	$63K	$85K	$116K	$159K	+3.8%
Case Manager	$46K	$61K	$78K	$100K	+3.5%
Community Outreach Coordinator	$46K	$61K	$79K	$102K	+3.8%

Working in San Jose, California: Salary Guide (2026)

San Jose is home to the San Jose–CA metropolitan area with a population of 1,021,795. The city has a cost of living index of 210 (US average = 100), meaning living costs are above the national average.

California has a 9.3% state income tax rate. When comparing offers with cities in no-income-tax states like Texas, Washington, or Florida, factor in this difference.

Top-paying industries in San Jose

San Jose's economy spans multiple high-wage sectors. The city's diverse employer base creates strong demand across technology, healthcare, finance, and professional services.

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