Overview Salaries

Salaries in Berkeley, CA

Updated on Jul 10, 2026
City
Salary

What is the average salary in Berkeley, CA?

The average salary in Berkeley, CA is $81,857 per year.
Yearly
Monthly
Weekly
Hourly
Graph depicting the yearly salary distribution for Berkeley, CA, showing an average salary of $81,857 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.
Graph depicting the monthly salary distribution for Berkeley, CA, showing an average salary of $6,821 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.
Graph depicting the weekly salary distribution for Berkeley, CA, showing an average salary of $1,574 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.
Graph depicting the hourly salary distribution for Berkeley, CA, showing an average salary of $39 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.

Berkeley, CA offers a variety of salaries across different industries. The average yearly salary stands at $81,857. This indicates a competitive compensation environment.


Here are some notable salary distributions:

  • About 30.94% of jobs pay around $37,760 per year.
  • Another 15.80% of jobs offer salaries close to $52,936.
  • Around 13.55% pay approximately $68,113.
  • While the highest paying jobs, at 1.87%, reach up to $204,700 annually.
These figures reflect the diversity in job opportunities and salaries available in Berkeley.

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What are the best paying jobs in Berkeley, CA?

Job seekers in Berkeley, CA, can find excellent opportunities in well-paying roles. The top jobs include Staff Nurse, Dental Hygienist, and Registered Nurse, which offer strong salaries and stability. These positions not only provide financial benefits but also contribute to community health and education. Other high-paying roles in Berkeley involve Professors, Technical Project Leads, and Program Managers. These jobs blend knowledge, leadership, and problem-solving skills. They often require specialized education or experience but reward professionals with competitive pay. Balancing personal interests and career goals can help job seekers thrive in these roles.
Graph displaying best paying job salaries in Berkeley, CA, highlighting Staff Nurse with the highest at $177,931 and Program Manager with the lowest at $93,112.

  1. Staff Nurse
    Average Salary: $177,931
    Join a team of dedicated healthcare professionals. Work in top-tier medical facilities and ensure patient well-being. Opportunities with UCSF Health and Berkeley Medical Center.
    Find Staff Nurse jobs in Berkeley, CA


  2. Dental Hygienist
    Average Salary: $143,620
    Support dentists in providing excellent oral care. Perform cleanings and checkups. Work in clinics like Berkeley Dental Group and HealthRight.
    Find Dental Hygienist jobs in Berkeley, CA


  3. Registered Nurse
    Average Salary: $137,027
    Deliver high-quality patient care in various settings. Work with hospitals and private practices. Roles available at UCSF Health and Kaiser Permanente.
    Find Registered Nurse jobs in Berkeley, CA


  4. Speech Language Pathologist
    Average Salary: $124,421
    Help patients improve communication and swallowing abilities. Work with diverse populations. Opportunities with local school districts and healthcare facilities.
    Find Speech Language Pathologist jobs in Berkeley, CA


  5. Professor
    Average Salary: $119,178
    Teach and conduct research at a renowned university. Shape the minds of future professionals. Positions available at UC Berkeley and Berkeley City College.
    Find Professor jobs in Berkeley, CA


  6. Traveling Nurse
    Average Salary: $117,927
    Provide medical care in different locations. Travel and work in various facilities. Options with Cross Country Nurses and RN Traveler.
    Find Traveling Nurse jobs in Berkeley, CA


  7. Occupational Therapist
    Average Salary: $116,573
    Help patients recover and improve daily living skills. Work in rehabilitation centers and hospitals. Positions with UCSF Health and Berkeley Wellness Center.
    Find Occupational Therapist jobs in Berkeley, CA


  8. Technical Project Lead
    Average Salary: $109,235
    Lead tech projects and ensure successful outcomes. Work with tech firms and startups. Roles with companies like Berkeley Labs and local tech firms.
    Find Technical Project Lead jobs in Berkeley, CA


  9. Counselor
    Average Salary: $99,604
    Provide mental health support to individuals. Work in schools, clinics, and private practices. Opportunities with Berkeley Unified School District and local clinics.
    Find Counselor jobs in Berkeley, CA


  10. Program Manager
    Average Salary: $93,112
    Manage and oversee programs to ensure goals are met. Work in non-profits, government, and private sectors. Positions with Berkeley Social Services and local organizations.
    Find Program Manager jobs in Berkeley, CA

What are the best paying jobs in Berkeley, CA without a degree?

Berkeley, CA offers several lucrative job opportunities for those without a college degree. Restaurant managers and recreation assistants lead the pack, with competitive salaries. People in these roles can earn around $63,678 and $59,153 annually, respectively. Other high-paying positions include housekeeping, canvassing, and various food service roles. Housekeeping staff and canvassers can make about $46,814 and $45,969 each year. Food service jobs like server assistants, line cooks, and kitchen team members offer salaries ranging from $43,646 to $44,301. These roles provide solid earnings and chances to develop valuable skills in dynamic work environments.
Graph displaying best paying job salaries in Berkeley, CA without a degree, highlighting Restaurant Manager with the highest at $63,678 and Barista with the lowest at $39,154.

  1. Restaurant Manager
    Average Salary: $63,678
    Manage day-to-day operations of dining establishments. Ensure smooth running of the restaurant. Oversee staff and maintain customer satisfaction. Companies like Bouchon and Plant Café thrive in this city.
    Find Restaurant Manager jobs in Berkeley, CA


  2. Recreation Assistant
    Average Salary: $59,153
    Help run recreational programs. Provide guidance and supervision to participants. Work in community centers. This role often involves physical activity and interaction with diverse groups.
    Find Recreation Assistant jobs in Berkeley, CA


  3. Housekeeping
    Average Salary: $46,814
    Keep facilities clean and well-organized. Perform tasks such as cleaning rooms and public areas. Work in hotels and other lodging establishments. Attention to detail is key for this job.
    Find Housekeeping jobs in Berkeley, CA


  4. Canvasser
    Average Salary: $45,969
    Promote products or services by visiting homes and businesses. Gather information and answer questions. Work for political campaigns or businesses. This role involves good communication and public interaction.
    Find Canvasser jobs in Berkeley, CA


  5. Dishwasher
    Average Salary: $44,301
    Clean dishes, utensils, and kitchen equipment. Maintain a clean and sanitary workspace. Work in restaurants and cafes. Physical stamina and attention to cleanliness are essential.
    Find Dishwasher jobs in Berkeley, CA


  6. Server Assistant
    Average Salary: $44,207
    Support servers in delivering food and beverages. Take orders and ensure customer satisfaction. Work in busy dining environments. Requires good communication and teamwork skills.
    Find Server Assistant jobs in Berkeley, CA


  7. Line Cook
    Average Salary: $43,646
    Prepare ingredients and cook menu items. Work under pressure in a fast-paced environment. Skills in knife work and recipe following are important. Often work in high-volume kitchens.
    Find Line Cook jobs in Berkeley, CA


  8. Kitchen Team Member
    Average Salary: $42,847
    Assist in various kitchen duties. Help with food preparation and ensure the kitchen runs smoothly. Work in restaurants and other food service establishments. Team collaboration is vital.
    Find Kitchen Team Member jobs in Berkeley, CA


  9. Server
    Average Salary: $41,506
    Take orders and serve food and beverages to customers. Ensure a pleasant dining experience. Work in various dining establishments. Strong customer service skills are a must.
    Find Server jobs in Berkeley, CA


  10. Barista
    Average Salary: $39,154
    Prepare and serve coffee and other beverages. Maintain a clean and inviting workspace. Work in coffee shops. Attention to detail and customer service are key.
    Find Barista jobs in Berkeley, CA

Which companies offer the top salaries in Berkeley, CA?

Job seekers in Berkeley, CA, have several companies to consider for higher salaries. Companies like PETS Referral Center, Kaiser Permanente, and Sutter Health offer top compensation packages. PETS Referral Center leads the list with an average salary of $145,650, followed closely by Kaiser Permanente at $134,496 and Sutter Health at $133,653. These companies provide a variety of opportunities for skilled professionals. LifeLong Medical Care and Bayer also offer competitive salaries, with averages of $93,438 and $106,932, respectively. These organizations value their employees and often provide benefits and growth opportunities. The City of Berkeley and the University of California Berkeley, though lower on the salary scale, still offer attractive compensation along with a supportive work environment.
Graph displaying company salaries in Berkeley, CA, highlighting PETS Referral Center with the highest at $145,650 and HEI Hotels & Resorts with the lowest at $64,755.

  1. PETS Referral Center
    Average Salary: $145,650
    PETS Referral Center is a premier veterinary referral center. They offer specialized care and serve a wide range of animal needs. They value their employees and offer competitive salaries.


  2. Kaiser Permanente
    Average Salary: $134,496
    Kaiser Permanente is a large healthcare organization. They provide medical services in several states. They offer good compensation and benefits for their employees.


  3. Sutter Health
    Average Salary: $133,653
    Sutter Health is a well-known healthcare provider. They operate in Northern California. They are committed to excellent patient care and offer strong salaries.


  4. City of Berkeley
    Average Salary: $114,896
    The City of Berkeley manages local government services. They aim for a clean, safe community. They provide stable jobs with good pay.


  5. Bayer
    Average Salary: $106,932
    Bayer is a global pharmaceutical and life sciences company. They develop innovative health products. They offer competitive salaries to attract top talent.


  6. University of California Berkeley
    Average Salary: $99,252
    UC Berkeley is a top research university. They offer a range of academic and research opportunities. Their compensation packages are competitive.


  7. LifeLong Medical Care
    Average Salary: $93,438
    LifeLong Medical Care provides healthcare services to the community. They focus on preventive care. They provide fair compensation to their staff.


  8. Sun Light & Power
    Average Salary: $77,928
    Sun Light & Power is a renewable energy company. They focus on solar energy solutions. They offer a decent salary in a growing industry.


  9. Berkeley Unified School District
    Average Salary: $69,527
    Berkeley Unified School District manages public schools in Berkeley. They aim to provide quality education. Their salaries are competitive for the education sector.


  10. HEI Hotels & Resorts
    Average Salary: $64,755
    HEI Hotels & Resorts operates luxury hotels. They focus on hospitality services. They offer fair pay for those in the hotel industry.

How does the cost of living in Berkeley, CA compare to the national average?

The cost of living in Berkeley, CA, significantly exceeds the nationwide average, particularly in housing. With a cost of living index of 280 for housing, Berkeley is 180% more expensive than the average city. Other expenses, such as groceries and transportation, also show a marked increase, reflecting Berkeley's overall higher cost of living.
Cost of living comparison graph for Berkeley, CA vs. Nationwide: housing 180% higher, groceries 37% higher, utilities 20% higher, transportation 40% higher, healthcare 15% higher, miscellaneous 50% higher.

The cost of living in Berkeley, CA, significantly exceeds the nationwide average in several key areas. Housing costs stand at 280% of the average, meaning a home in Berkeley can cost almost three times as much as the national average. For groceries, the cost of living index is 137%, slightly over the average but more manageable compared to housing. Utilities also show a premium, with costs at 120%, which is 20% higher than the national average.


Transportation costs in Berkeley are 140% of the nationwide average, indicating higher prices for commuting and public transit. Healthcare costs are slightly below the average at 115%, which is a relief for those concerned about medical expenses. Miscellaneous costs are 150% of the national average, showing that everyday items and services can still be quite expensive. Overall, Berkeley residents can expect to pay significantly more for their cost of living compared to the national average.

There are 626 job openings in Berkeley, CA, today!

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Discover what it's like to work in Berkeley, CA. Learn if you need a car, explore popular employers, the job market, and the best neighborhoods to live in.
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Berkeley, CA
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