The 30 highest-paying jobs in California

Average annual salary: $136,040

Number of people employed in California: 22,120

What they do, according to O*NET: Research, design, develop, or test computer or computer-related equipment for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use.

Average annual salary: $136,080

Number of people employed in California: 225,210

What they do, according to O*NET: Plan, direct, or coordinate the operations of public or private sector organizations.

Average annual salary: $136,730

Number of people employed in California: 29,860

What they do, according to O*NET: Dispense drugs prescribed by physicians and other health practitioners and provide information to patients about medications and their use.

Average annual salary: $138,240

Number of people employed in California: 53,390

What they do, according to O*NET: This is a catchall for various types of managers not covered in another occupational group. Some examples include investment fund managers, supply chain managers, and security managers.

Average annual salary: $139,860

Number of people employed in California: 17,160

What they do, according to O*NET: Plan, direct, or coordinate human resources activities and staff of an organization.

Average annual salary: $140,100

Number of people employed in California: 7,620

What they do, according to O*NET: Plan, direct, or coordinate activities designed to create or maintain a favorable public image, raise issue awareness, or raise funds for their organization or client.

Average annual salary: $141,100

Number of people employed in California: 24,790

What they do, according to O*NET: Advise clients on financial plans using knowledge of tax and investment strategies, securities, insurance, pension plans, and real estate.

Average annual salary: $153,330

Number of people employed in California: 7,450

What they do, according to O*NET: Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, and statistics, and carry out research and development in these fields.

Average annual salary: $153,410

Number of people employed in California: 13,690

What they do, according to O*NET: Teach courses in health specialties, in fields such as dentistry, laboratory technology, medicine, pharmacy, public health, therapy, and veterinary medicine.

Average annual salary: $154,310

Number of people employed in California: 72,100

What they do, according to O*NET: Plan, direct, or coordinate accounting, investing, banking, insurance, securities, and other financial activities of a branch, office, or department of an establishment.

Average annual salary: $157,890

Number of people employed in California: 17,130

What they do, according to O*NET: Examine, diagnose, and treat diseases, injuries, and malformations of teeth and gums.

Average annual salary: $164,410

Number of people employed in California: 33,380

What they do, according to O*NET: Plan, direct, or coordinate marketing policies and programs, such as determining the demand for products and services offered by a firm and its competitors, and identify potential customers.

Average annual salary: $168,200

Number of people employed in California: 79,980

What they do, according to O*NET: Represent clients in criminal and civil litigation and other legal proceedings, draw up legal documents, or manage or advise clients on legal transactions.

Average annual salary: $169,100

Number of people employed in California: 28,040

What they do, according to O*NET: Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as architecture and engineering, or carry out research and development in these fields.

Average annual salary: $174,790

Number of people employed in California: 53,270

What they do, according to O*NET: Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as electronic data processing, information systems, systems analysis, and computer programming.

Average annual salary: $182,790

Number of people employed in California: 3,460

What they do, according to O*NET: Physicians who diagnose, treat, and help prevent children's diseases and injuries.

Average annual salary: $196,180

Number of people employed in California: 13,950

What they do, according to O*NET: Physicians who diagnose, treat, and help prevent diseases and injuries that commonly occur in the general population.

Average annual salary: $199,120

Number of people employed in California: 3,400

What they do, according to O*NET: Physicians who diagnose and provide non-surgical treatment of diseases and injuries of internal organ systems.

Average annual salary: $205,630

Number of people employed in California: 420

What they do, according to O*NET: This is a catchall category for dentists not listed in some other occupational group.

Average annual salary: $207,080

Number of people employed in California: 9,000

What they do, according to O*NET: Pilot and navigate the flight of fixed-wing, multi-engine aircraft, usually on scheduled air carrier routes, for the transport of passengers and cargo.

Average annual salary: $214,730

Number of people employed in California: 29,890

What they do, according to O*NET: This is a catchall category for specialized doctors not listed in some other occupational group. Some specialties include dermatologists, hospitalists, ophthalmologists, and urologists.

Average annual salary: $216,590

Number of people employed in California: 500

What they do, according to O*NET: Examine, diagnose, and treat dental malocclusions and oral cavity anomalies.

Average annual salary: $217,230

Number of people employed in California: 1,460

What they do, according to O*NET: Administer anesthesia, monitor patient's vital signs, and oversee patient recovery from anesthesia.

Average annual salary: $221,120

Number of people employed in California: 2,030

What they do, according to O*NET: Physicians who provide medical care related to pregnancy or childbirth and those who diagnose, treat, and help prevent diseases of women, particularly those affecting the reproductive system.

Average annual salary: $222,950

Number of people employed in California: 30,430

What they do, according to O*NET: Determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body.

Average annual salary: $229,340

Number of people employed in California: 4,240

What they do, according to O*NET: Physicians who treat diseases, injuries, and deformities by invasive, minimally invasive, or non-invasive surgical methods.

Average annual salary: $259,570

Number of people employed in California: 3,040

What they do, according to O*NET: Physicians who diagnose, treat, and help prevent disorders of the mind.

Average annual salary: $262,050

Number of people employed in California: 610

What they do, according to O*NET: Perform surgery and related procedures on the hard and soft tissues of the oral and maxillofacial regions to treat diseases, injuries, or defects.

Average annual salary: $283,860

Number of people employed in California: 3,080

What they do, according to O*NET: Physicians who administer anesthetics prior to, during, or after surgery or other medical procedures.