Overview Salaries

Salaries in Irvine, CA

Updated on May 10, 2026
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Salary

What is the average salary in Irvine, CA?

The average salary in Irvine, CA is $89,650 per year.
Yearly
Monthly
Weekly
Hourly
Graph depicting the yearly salary distribution for Irvine, CA, showing an average salary of $89,650 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.
Graph depicting the monthly salary distribution for Irvine, CA, showing an average salary of $7,471 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.
Graph depicting the weekly salary distribution for Irvine, CA, showing an average salary of $1,724 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.
Graph depicting the hourly salary distribution for Irvine, CA, showing an average salary of $43 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.

Salaries in Irvine, CA, offer a strong earning potential for professionals. On average, the yearly salary stands at $89,650. The salary distribution varies by job role. Here are some of the top-paying job sectors:

  • Information Technology: 27.99% of professionals earn up to $34,320.
  • Finance: 15.31% of professionals earn up to $51,768.
  • Healthcare: 11.71% of professionals earn up to $69,216.
  • Engineering: 8.32% of professionals earn up to $86,665.
  • Sales: 8.02% of professionals earn up to $104,113.

These figures highlight the range of opportunities available, providing competitive wages across various industries.

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What are the best paying jobs in Irvine, CA?

Job seekers in Irvine, CA, have access to many high-paying positions. Physicians earn the most, bringing home an average of $287,121 per year. Other top-paying jobs include Technical Director, Clinical Psychologist, and Wireless Engineer. These roles offer strong salaries and rewarding work. In Irvine, California, a Technical Director can earn around $227,643 annually. Clinical Psychologists and Wireless Engineers also make significant incomes, with salaries around $211,097 and $208,112, respectively. These jobs attract skilled professionals looking for excellent compensation and career growth.
Graph displaying best paying job salaries in Irvine, CA, highlighting Physician with the highest at $287,121 and Principal Engineer with the lowest at $174,861.

  1. Physician
    Average Salary: $287,121
    Helping patients in various specialties, physicians provide medical care. They work in hospitals and clinics. Notable healthcare facilities in the area include Hoag Hospital and UCI Health. Physicians often coordinate with other healthcare professionals.
    Find Physician jobs in Irvine, CA


  2. Technical Director
    Average Salary: $227,643
    Technical directors oversee technology projects. They manage teams and ensure projects meet goals. Key companies in Irvine include Broadcom and Cisco Systems. They often lead software development teams and coordinate with other departments.
    Find Technical Director jobs in Irvine, CA


  3. Clinical Psychologist
    Average Salary: $211,097
    Clinical psychologists assess and treat mental health issues. They work in private practices and clinics. Organizations like Kaiser Permanente offer opportunities. They conduct therapy sessions and collaborate with other healthcare providers.
    Find Clinical Psychologist jobs in Irvine, CA


  4. Wireless Engineer
    Average Salary: $208,112
    Wireless engineers develop and maintain communication systems. They work for tech companies like Qualcomm and Broadcom. They design networks and troubleshoot issues. They often collaborate with other engineers and IT staff.
    Find Wireless Engineer jobs in Irvine, CA


  5. General Counsel
    Average Salary: $203,528
    General counsel provides legal advice to organizations. They work for large corporations and law firms. Key companies in Irvine include Broadcom and Allergan. They handle legal issues and ensure compliance with laws.
    Find General Counsel jobs in Irvine, CA


  6. Technical Programs Manager
    Average Salary: $201,758
    Technical programs managers oversee technology projects. They coordinate teams and ensure projects meet deadlines. Companies like Cisco Systems and Broadcom offer opportunities. They work with software engineers and other stakeholders.
    Find Technical Programs Manager jobs in Irvine, CA


  7. Firmware Engineer
    Average Salary: $188,796
    Firmware engineers develop software for embedded systems. They work for tech companies like Broadcom and Cisco Systems. They write and test code for devices. They often collaborate with hardware engineers and other tech staff.
    Find Firmware Engineer jobs in Irvine, CA


  8. Nurse Practitioner
    Average Salary: $180,636
    Nurse practitioners provide primary and specialty care. They work in hospitals and clinics. Organizations like Kaiser Permanente offer opportunities. They diagnose and treat patients, often working with other healthcare providers.
    Find Nurse Practitioner jobs in Irvine, CA


  9. Staff Attorney
    Average Salary: $177,921
    Staff attorneys provide legal services for organizations. They work for law firms and corporations. Key companies in Irvine include Allergan and Broadcom. They handle legal issues and advise management.
    Find Staff Attorney jobs in Irvine, CA


  10. Principal Engineer
    Average Salary: $174,861
    Principal engineers lead engineering teams. They work for tech companies like Cisco Systems and Broadcom. They design systems and oversee projects. They often collaborate with other engineers and IT staff.
    Find Principal Engineer jobs in Irvine, CA

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

Job seekers in Irvine, CA, can find high-paying opportunities without needing a college degree. Roles such as Kitchen Manager and Concrete Finisher offer average salaries well above $40,000. These positions not only provide good pay but also promise stable work in a vibrant city. For those with experience, Kitchen Manager roles can reach over $66,000 annually. Concrete Finishers and Restaurant Managers also enjoy solid earnings, with salaries averaging around $57,500 and $54,600 respectively. These jobs often require specific skills and some on-the-job training, making them accessible for many workers.
Graph displaying best paying job salaries in Irvine, CA without a degree, highlighting Kitchen Manager with the highest at $66,304 and Line Cook with the lowest at $40,649.

  1. Kitchen Manager
    Average Salary: $66,304
    Manage kitchen staff, ensure food quality, and keep the kitchen running smoothly. Work in upscale restaurants and hotels. Gain experience in food service operations and team management.
    Find Kitchen Manager jobs in Irvine, CA


  2. Concrete Finisher
    Average Salary: $57,518
    Shape and finish concrete surfaces. Work on construction sites, ensuring projects meet specifications. Develop skills in construction and attention to detail.
    Find Concrete Finisher jobs in Irvine, CA


  3. Restaurant Manager
    Average Salary: $54,617
    Oversee daily restaurant operations. Manage staff, handle finances, and ensure customer satisfaction. Work in a fast-paced environment with opportunities to grow in the hospitality industry.
    Find Restaurant Manager jobs in Irvine, CA


  4. Groundskeeper
    Average Salary: $46,338
    Maintain lawns, gardens, and grounds. Perform tasks such as mowing, trimming, and cleaning. Work in parks and residential areas, focusing on outdoor beauty and upkeep.
    Find Groundskeeper jobs in Irvine, CA


  5. Food Service Aide
    Average Salary: $44,825
    Assist in preparing and serving food. Work in cafeterias and food service facilities. Gain experience in food safety and customer service.
    Find Food Service Aide jobs in Irvine, CA


  6. Housekeeping
    Average Salary: $42,999
    Clean rooms and common areas in hotels and other facilities. Ensure a tidy and welcoming environment. Develop skills in cleaning and organization.
    Find Housekeeping jobs in Irvine, CA


  7. Floor Tech
    Average Salary: $42,118
    Maintain floors in commercial spaces. Perform tasks such as sweeping, mopping, and polishing. Work in offices, stores, and other facilities.
    Find Floor Tech jobs in Irvine, CA


  8. Service Team Member
    Average Salary: $42,106
    Provide customer service in retail settings. Assist customers with their needs and ensure a positive shopping experience. Gain experience in sales and customer relations.
    Find Service Team Member jobs in Irvine, CA


  9. Beauty Consultant
    Average Salary: $41,171
    Advise customers on beauty products and skincare. Work in retail stores and salons. Develop skills in personal care and customer engagement.
    Find Beauty Consultant jobs in Irvine, CA


  10. Line Cook
    Average Salary: $40,649
    Prepare ingredients and cook dishes in a kitchen setting. Work in fast-paced environments like restaurants. Develop culinary skills and attention to detail.
    Find Line Cook jobs in Irvine, CA

Which companies offer the top salaries in Irvine, CA?

Job seekers in Irvine, CA, can look forward to competitive salaries at top companies. Apple leads the pack with an average salary of $207,581, offering one of the best financial opportunities in the area. Other notable companies include PwC and Amazon Web Services, both with average salaries exceeding $179,000. Companies like Google, Amazon.com, and Accenture also provide attractive compensation packages, with average salaries ranging from $165,000 to nearly $181,000. These firms are among the highest-paying employers in Irvine. For those seeking top-tier benefits and salary, these companies offer strong career prospects.
Graph displaying company salaries in Irvine, CA, highlighting Apple with the highest at $207,581 and KPMG with the lowest at $156,103.

  1. Apple
    Average Salary: $207,581
    Apple is a global tech giant known for its innovative products. It offers competitive pay and a dynamic work environment.


  2. PwC
    Average Salary: $180,632
    PwC is a leading professional services firm. It provides a rewarding career in accounting and consulting.


  3. Amazon Web Services
    Average Salary: $179,448
    AWS is Amazon's cloud computing service. It offers top pay and opportunities in tech innovation.


  4. Google
    Average Salary: $169,730
    Google is a global tech leader. It offers a dynamic work culture and excellent compensation.


  5. Amazon.com
    Average Salary: $165,974
    Amazon is a retail and tech giant. It offers high pay and many career growth opportunities.


  6. Accenture
    Average Salary: $165,160
    Accenture is a global professional services firm. It offers a competitive salary and a chance to work on global projects.


  7. AbbVie
    Average Salary: $163,325
    AbbVie is a biopharmaceutical company. It offers competitive pay and a chance to impact healthcare.


  8. Mission Recruiting
    Average Salary: $159,973
    Mission Recruiting is a staffing firm. It offers top pay and many opportunities in various industries.


  9. Ventura Foods
    Average Salary: $156,889
    Ventura Foods is a food manufacturing company. It offers competitive pay and a chance to work in the food industry.


  10. KPMG
    Average Salary: $156,103
    KPMG is a professional services firm. It offers a rewarding career in accounting and consulting.

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

The cost of living index in Irvine, CA, shows that housing costs are 87% higher than the nationwide average. Other categories like groceries, utilities, transportation, healthcare, and miscellaneous expenses also exceed the national average by 20% to 34%. This highlights the higher expenses job seekers may encounter if they consider relocating to Irvine.
Cost of living comparison graph for Irvine, CA vs. Nationwide: housing 87% higher, groceries 20% higher, utilities 8% higher, transportation 25% higher, healthcare 15% higher, miscellaneous 34% higher.

Irvine, California, stands out with a significantly higher cost of living compared to the nationwide average. The cost of living index in Irvine totals 145, which translates to 45% more than the national average of 100. This elevated cost is primarily driven by housing costs, which are 87% higher than the national average. A housing index of 187 indicates that housing expenses alone in Irvine are nearly double what one might expect to pay in a typical U.S. city.


Beyond housing, other categories in Irvine also reflect increased spending. For example, groceries cost 20% more, with an index of 120, while transportation costs are 25% higher, at 125. Utilities, healthcare, and miscellaneous expenses also exceed the national average. Utilities stand at 8% more, with an index of 108, healthcare at 15% higher with an index of 115, and miscellaneous costs at 34% above average, with an index of 134. These figures collectively paint a picture of a city where living costs are notably steep compared to the rest of the country.

There are 3,219 job openings in Irvine, CA, today!

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Irvine, CA
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