The state of California has the largest economy in the U.S. In 2022, its Gross State Product (GSP) was estimated at $3.6 trillion. Currently, over 19.2 million people are employed in California, and the unemployment rate is 4.2%, higher than the national average.
California cultivates a variety of industries, including Silicon Valley, which is home to some of the largest technology companies in the country and the world. Technology companies such as Meta and Google call the state home. Yet agriculture remains at the forefront of California’s economy, with a rich market for produce, milk, and wine.
The state also boasts large tourism and hospitality industries. Additionally, the majority of the film industry claims California as its home. The health care industry is one of the fastest-growing in the state as residents in California age, needing qualified nurses, doctors, and other health professionals.
According to the U.S. Census, the median salary in California is $91,905. While California’s median income is much higher than the national average, so is the cost of living, and income taxes and other state taxes take a larger chunk of an individual’s income.
Top 7 Fastest-Growing Careers in California
In this section, you’ll find information about some of the top careers and best opportunities in the state of California, including information about job outlook, median salary, and why these are the most rapidly growing jobs.
| Job Title | Annual Mean Salary | Job Growth | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solar Photovoltaic Installers | $49,220* | 65%** | A solar photovoltaic installer is arguably the fastest-growing and most in-demand job opportunity in California. This job requires the installation of solar panels and energy systems for homes and organizations. They must be able to install these panels correctly and up to code. This job is becoming more in demand due to the state’s commitment to using more renewable and affordable energy sources. A four-year degree is not necessary, but this career does require a course from a technical career center or community college. See our maintenance technician resume examples. |
| Occupational Therapy Assistants | $80,560* | 42.3%** | The health sector in California will see a consistent rise in job opportunities, and occupational therapy assistants are at the top of the list. An occupational therapy assistant helps patients with therapeutic activities like physical exercise, assistive technologies, and creating programs for children with developmental delays. The rise of aging residents in California is boosting demand for this career, as most will need more assistance soon. See our occupational therapist resume examples. |
| Statisticians | $131,000* | 40.7%** | In California, statisticians and mathematicians are highly sought after by the government, most businesses, and organizations. Their job duties include:
Additionally, statisticians solve complex problems, provide forecasts, and look for errors in data. Industries are doing more data collection than ever before, and statisticians are becoming more in demand due to their data analytics skills. |
| Information Security Analysts | $126,000*** | 33%** | Information security analysts are another quickly growing data analysis job opportunity in California. Their job is to secure the data, information systems, and important data for a company or an organization. They are experts in testing the security and vulnerability of a system. Also, they investigate potential threats and ensure their organization is using up-to-date security systems along with strong security measures. As cyberattacks are becoming more common, this job has seen a steep rise in demand in California, where many large tech companies are located. See our information security analyst resume examples. |
| Physician Assistants | $142,000* | 34.2%** | The role of a physician’s assistant is another high-demand health role in California. Their job duties include examining, diagnosing, and treating physicians’ patients. Generally speaking, a physician assistant will work as a part of a medical team, prescribe medications, and offer support and assistance to family members of patients. As the population in California continues to age, the demand for qualified physician assistants in the health industry is growing rapidly. See our physician assistant resume examples. |
| Nurse Anesthetists | $205,000* | 30.8%** | Continuing with careers in the health sector, nurse anesthetists are another high-demand career in California. A nurse anesthetist’s primary responsibility is administering anesthesia during medical procedures. They help the doctor by providing notes before procedures and ensuring the procedure can be done safely and without issue. The increasing age of California residents is the main reason for the growing demand for this position. But anesthetists are a crucial part of the health sector and provide key services to doctors during surgery. See our nursing resume examples. |
| Personal Care Aides | $32,000* | 32%** | The role of a personal care aide will be in high demand as the age of Californians continues to rise. A personal care aide works with people who have illnesses or disabilities. Providing basic care for their patients, they help them complete everyday tasks. They are required to keep records, track progress, and create reports to note any improvement. A college degree is unnecessary for this career path, but some courses may be recommended. See our personal care assistant resume examples. |
*Annual mean salary as of Q1 2023 according to EDD occupation profiles
**Job growth outlook depicts growth from 2018 to 2028 according to EDD occupation profiles
***Annual mean salary as of Q1 2020 according to EDD occupation profiles. No 2023 data available.
California Employment and Job-Seeking Resources
If you’re a job seeker in California, this section has information and resources about finding employment. Links to job boards and other helpful websites will be included in this section to assist you in finding a new career or employment in California.
America's Job Center of California
America’s Job Center of California (AJCC) offers a variety of services to help match qualified job seekers with employers in California looking to fill open jobs. This career center provides services to job seekers like skill assessment, career planning, and developing plans to find employment. AJCC also offers informational job workshops, resume and cover letter writing assistance, mock interviews, and assistance with finding and applying for jobs in California. With several locations, the AJCC is one of California’s best resources for job seekers.
CalJOBS
The California State Government provides CalJOBS for job seekers. Several resources can be found on this website, including job postings, workshops, education services, resume-building assistance, and more. Additionally, it provides information for employers, such as finding qualified candidates, locating job fairs, and more. As a government-provided system, this is an excellent resource for job seekers in California. It can provide education to further an individual’s career or help them find a role in an industry that suits them properly.
Los Angeles Public Library
The Los Angeles Public Library has an excellent way to access career resources for job seekers in California specifically in the Los Angeles metro area. Its website offers a comprehensive job guide and an online career center. The job guide features over 200 resources for first-time job seekers, unemployed workers, or those changing careers. Also, the library offers financial support resources and other career educational opportunities like tutoring and a job board for the library. Utilizing these free resources from the library can help advance your career or find a job in a field you are interested in.
My Next Move
My Next Move is an interactive tool the Department of Labor provides that helps job seekers, students, and unemployed workers learn more about their career options. They offer education on skills, tasks, and salary guides. Job seekers can search over 900 different careers to see what required skills and get a personalized assessment to find what career will best suit their interests, skills, and work experience, if applicable. The site gives users an updated job outlook on their desired path, allowing them an opportunity to look into the future of their potential career.
Job Training Resources in California
If you’re a job seeker in California, this section offers help with finding employment and additional resources.
Job training resources for veterans in California
- California Department of Veterans Affairs: Seek information about benefits and services for veterans
- California Department of Veterans Affairs, Women Veterans: Learn about benefits and services for women veterans
- Center for Women Veterans: Read information and resources for women veterans
- Military Spouse Employment Partnership: Discover employment resources for military spouses
- U.S. Department of Labor: Veterans’ Employment and Service: Find employment information and service for veterans, spouses, and caregivers
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: Employment benefits for dependents: Seek employment information for dependents of veterans
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: Homeless Veterans Community Employment Services: Learn about employment resources for homeless veterans
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: Make the Connection: Explore solutions to issues affecting the lives of veterans and their families and friends
Job training resources for people with disabilities in California
- California Department of Rehabilitation: Discover employment and independent living resources for people with disabilities
- California Employment Development Department Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services: Find contact information by county to access employment resources
- Disability Benefits 101 for California: Learn about work programs and benefits for people with disabilities
- Limited Examination and Appointment Program (LEAP): Find resources for state civil service employment through LEAP
- Talent Knows No Limits: Explore this public education resource for employment for people with disabilities
- Ticket to Work Program: Learn about this federal program for people with disabilities to find employment
Job training resources for youths in California
- Job Corps: Explore this nationwide program for residential education and job training
- U.S. Department of Labor Apprenticeship program: Learn about apprenticeship opportunities for youth as young as 16
- Youth Employment Opportunity Program (YEOP): Find special educational and employment resources for for at-risk youth between the ages of 15-25
Job training resources for migrant and seasonal workers in California
- Career One Stop: Find help with a variety of employment services
- La Cooperativa: Explore employment, labor rights, and advocacy services for farmworkers
Unemployment Resources in California
California offers unemployment benefits to those who qualify. Additionally, several state programs provide additional assistance to Californians in need. Read on to learn how to apply for unemployment benefits in California and what additional resources you may be eligible to receive.
How to receive unemployment benefits in California
1. Determine eligibility: Visit the California Employment Development Department (EDD) website to see if you meet the wage, unemployment status, availability, and additional requirements for unemployment benefits.
2. File a claim: Again, visit the EDD website to file a claim by following the prompts and providing accurate information.
3. Meet weekly requirements: If your claim is approved, follow the instructions for meeting the weekly benefits certification and employment search requirements.
Additional Unemployment Help in California
- BenefitsCal: Discover food, cash aid, and health coverage benefits
- California Association of Food Banks: Explore food resources
- CalWORKs: Find resources for eligible families to receive cash aid and additional help
- GetCalFresh: Apply for food stamps
- Women, Infants & Children (WIC): Find resources for women, infants, and children
Disability Insurance and Paid Family Leave Offices
If you meet the requirements for disability insurance or paid family leave, you can visit one of the many California EDD offices for help applying for benefits. See our map below to find the office closest to you.
15315 Fairfield Ranch Road, Suite 100 Chino Hills, CA 91709
P.O. Box 60006 City of Industry, CA 91716-0006
Paid Family Leave
855 M Street, Suite 810 Fresno, CA 93721
P.O. Box 45011 Fresno, CA 93718-5011
888 S Figueroa Street, Suite 200 Los Angeles, CA 90017
P.O. Box 513096 Los Angeles, CA 90051-1096
371 West 3rd Street San Bernardino, CA 92401
P.O. Box 781 San Bernardino, CA 92402-0781
9246 Lightwave Avenue, Building A, Suite 300 San Diego, CA 92123
P.O. Box 120831 San Diego, CA 92112-0831
745 Franklin Street, Suite 300 San Francisco, CA 94102
P.O. Box 193534 San Francisco, CA 94119-3534
2 MacArthur Place, Suite 400 Santa Ana, CA 92707
P.O. Box 1466 Santa Ana, CA 92702-1466
128 East Ortega Street Santa Barbara, CA 93101
P.O. Box 1529 Santa Barbara, CA 93102-1529
31 East Channel St. Suite 213 Stockton, CA 95202
P.O. Box 201006 Stockton, CA 95201-9006
Nonindustrial Disability and State Employee Claims P.O. Box 2168 Stockton, CA 95201-2168
California Resume Writing Resources
In this section, you will find information and links to helpful resume-writing resources located throughout the state of California. These resources will help you as a job seeker create a resume to help you stand out to potential employers and give tips on writing an impressive cover letter.
Cal Career Center
This resource is centered around students and job seekers and gives helpful tips and information for finding careers with for-profit and nonprofit organizations in California. A resume writing resource page on the website helps you create a solid resume and write a cover letter that can make an impact when applying for your next job. The page offers a resume builder tool to aid you in crafting an impressive resume. Cal Career Center was created as an educational resource to help educate students and job seekers.
CalHR
CalHR offers a helpful and informational resume writing resource page on its website. It provides tips on writing resumes in different formats, such as the chronological or functional resume format. The resume writing resource page also has a useful list of dos and don’ts for when you are writing or updating your resume for your next job application. Additionally, the site offers career and employment services and a jobs center with postings from employers all over California.
Los Angeles Public Library
The Los Angeles Public Library offers resume-writing tips and cover letter-writing resources for job seekers in California and, specifically, the Los Angeles metro area. A resource page for resume and cover letter writing also offers a comprehensive job guide and an online career center for job seekers. Also, the library provides financial support resources, as well as links to other job boards for finding national jobs or those located in California. The Los Angeles Public Library offers various links and resources for active job seekers in the state.
University of California Berkeley
The University of California Berkeley has a resume writing resource page on its website that provides helpful tips for students, recent graduates, job seekers, or recently unemployed individuals. Its page has videos to pair along with the information given on the site. The university also offers cover letter writing tips, as well as information on how to add references to your resume. If you are a student, you can get your resume peer-reviewed and get live feedback from teachers and other students. You can also visit their career center to get help with writing your resume.
University of California Riverside
The University of California Riverside offers a comprehensive and interactive career center on its website that features a resume-building page that aligns with its job search strategies web page. This college website offers resume resources, writing assistance, resume examples for various industries, resume samples for undergrad and graduate students, cover letter writing resources, and tips on adding references to your resume. Building a strong resume is a crucial part of the job search process and can help you land an interview with a company you genuinely want to work for.
California Resume Writing Services
Use one of the following resume-writing service guides to find the best resume writing services in various California locations.
- Best Professional Resume Writing Services in Fresno, California
- Best Professional Resume Writing Services in Los Angeles, California
- Best Professional Resume Writing Services in San Diego, California
- Best Professional Resume Writing Services in San Francisco, California
- Best Professional Resume Writing Services in San Jose, California
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