Overview Salaries

Salaries in San Jose, CA

Updated on Oct 10, 2026
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Salary

What is the average salary in San Jose, CA?

The average salary in San Jose, CA is $97,450 per year.
Yearly
Monthly
Weekly
Hourly
Graph depicting the yearly salary distribution for San Jose, CA, showing an average salary of $97,450 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.
Graph depicting the monthly salary distribution for San Jose, CA, showing an average salary of $8,121 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.
Graph depicting the weekly salary distribution for San Jose, CA, showing an average salary of $1,874 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.
Graph depicting the hourly salary distribution for San Jose, CA, showing an average salary of $47 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.

San Jose, CA, stands out as a city with competitive salaries. Professionals in this area enjoy a strong earning potential. The average yearly salary for many jobs here is around $97,450. This figure reflects a dynamic job market with numerous opportunities for skilled workers.


Several sectors drive these salaries. High-tech and tech companies lead with some of the best-paying jobs. Common roles in these areas offer salaries that often exceed the city's average. For instance, roles in software development, data science, and engineering are particularly well-compensated. Other key sectors, such as healthcare, finance, and business services, also provide solid pay. A closer look at job distribution shows a significant portion of jobs fall into these high-earning categories. This distribution highlights San Jose's strong economy and its demand for skilled professionals.

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What are the best paying jobs in San Jose, CA?

San Jose, CA, offers high salaries for a range of top-paying jobs. Business directors, physicians, and hospitalists top the list with annual incomes exceeding $200,000. These roles require specialized skills and experience, but they come with rewarding pay and opportunities. Primary care physicians, solutions architects, and research engineers also secure six-figure salaries. These positions involve key responsibilities and often require advanced degrees or certifications. They promise stable and lucrative career paths for those with the necessary qualifications.
Graph displaying best paying job salaries in San Jose, CA, highlighting Business Director with the highest at $400,002 and Counsel with the lowest at $218,523.

  1. Business Director
    Average Salary: $400,002
    This role involves leading teams and strategies. Companies like Google and Tesla depend on such leadership. It includes setting business goals and driving growth.
    Find Business Director jobs in San Jose, CA


  2. Physician
    Average Salary: $306,199
    Physicians offer medical care and treatment. In San Jose, they work in hospitals and clinics. They diagnose illnesses and provide patient care.
    Find Physician jobs in San Jose, CA


  3. Hospitalist
    Average Salary: $299,801
    Hospitalists manage patient care in hospitals. They work with various medical teams. Their goal is to ensure patients receive the best care possible.
    Find Hospitalist jobs in San Jose, CA


  4. Primary Care Physician
    Average Salary: $265,191
    Primary care physicians provide general medical care. They work in clinics and health centers. They see patients for routine check-ups and minor health issues.
    Find Primary Care Physician jobs in San Jose, CA


  5. Solutions Architect
    Average Salary: $233,671
    Solutions architects design software systems. Tech companies like Oracle and VMware need their expertise. They create solutions to meet business needs.
    Find Solutions Architect jobs in San Jose, CA


  6. Research Engineer
    Average Salary: $229,035
    Research engineers develop new technologies. They work in research labs. Their focus is on creating innovative solutions to problems.
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  7. Principal Engineer
    Average Salary: $227,566
    Principal engineers lead technical projects. They work in companies like Intel and Cisco. They guide teams to develop new products and improve systems.
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  8. General Counsel
    Average Salary: $225,513
    General counsel provide legal advice. They work for corporations and law firms. They manage legal matters and ensure compliance with laws.
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  9. Sales Director
    Average Salary: $222,743
    Sales directors lead sales teams. They work in tech companies and other industries. Their role is to drive sales and achieve targets.
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  10. Counsel
    Average Salary: $218,523
    Counsel provide legal advice and support. They work in law firms and corporations. They handle a variety of legal issues and ensure compliance.
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What are the best paying jobs in San Jose, CA without a degree?

San Jose offers a variety of high-paying jobs that do not require a college degree. Opportunities like Irrigation Technician and Grain Elevator Operator provide strong earnings. These positions pay well and offer important roles in local industries. Jobs such as Groundskeeper and Server Assistant also provide good income. People in these roles support important services and enjoy competitive pay. Other positions like Meat Cutter and Landscaper are available, with salaries that can meet various financial needs. These jobs allow individuals to earn a decent living without needing a four-year degree.
Graph displaying best paying job salaries in San Jose, CA without a degree, highlighting Irrigation Technician with the highest at $52,045 and Loader with the lowest at $44,726.

  1. Irrigation Technician
    Average Salary: $52,045
    This role involves installing and maintaining irrigation systems for homes and businesses. Work for landscapers or irrigation companies. You must be comfortable with manual labor and working outdoors. Familiarity with technical drawings helps.
    Find Irrigation Technician jobs in San Jose, CA


  2. Grain Elevator Operator
    Average Salary: $51,334
    Manage grain loading, unloading, and storage in elevators. Work for companies like Archer Daniels Midland or Louis Dreyfus Company. You need to follow safety protocols and use machinery. Attention to detail is crucial.
    Find Grain Elevator Operator jobs in San Jose, CA


  3. Groundskeeper
    Average Salary: $49,842
    Maintain parks, sports fields, and other outdoor areas. You will work for parks departments or landscaping companies. Tasks include mowing, planting, and equipment maintenance. Physical fitness is important.
    Find Groundskeeper jobs in San Jose, CA


  4. Server Assistant
    Average Salary: $46,798
    Help servers in restaurants. Serve food and beverages to customers. Work for places like Chili’s or Panera Bread. Requires good communication and teamwork skills. Experience with POS systems is a plus.
    Find Server Assistant jobs in San Jose, CA


  5. Beauty Consultant
    Average Salary: $46,415
    Sell beauty products and advise customers on skincare. Work for Sephora or Ulta Beauty. Strong customer service and product knowledge are needed. Building relationships with clients is key.
    Find Beauty Consultant jobs in San Jose, CA


  6. Housekeeping
    Average Salary: $46,283
    Clean guest rooms in hotels. Work for Marriott or Hilton. Responsibilities include making beds, cleaning bathrooms, and restocking supplies. Attention to detail is essential.
    Find Housekeeping jobs in San Jose, CA


  7. Meat Cutter
    Average Salary: $45,686
    Cut and package meat for retail. Work for grocery stores like Safeway or Whole Foods. Must follow safety guidelines and quality standards. Requires precision and physical endurance.
    Find Meat Cutter jobs in San Jose, CA


  8. Line Cook
    Average Salary: $45,589
    Prepare food in fast-paced kitchen environments. Work for restaurants such as Applebee’s or Buffalo Wild Wings. Must work quickly under pressure and follow recipes precisely.
    Find Line Cook jobs in San Jose, CA


  9. Landscaper
    Average Salary: $44,921
    Design and maintain gardens and outdoor spaces. Work for landscape companies or homeowners. Tasks include planting, mulching, and irrigation. Good physical condition is necessary.
    Find Landscaper jobs in San Jose, CA


  10. Loader
    Average Salary: $44,726
    Load and unload materials from trucks and ships. Work for companies like UPS or FedEx. Duties include operating forklifts and ensuring items are handled safely. Physical strength and coordination are important.
    Find Loader jobs in San Jose, CA

Which companies offer the top salaries in San Jose, CA?

San Jose, CA, is home to some of the highest-paying companies in the tech industry. Synaptics Incorporated leads with an average salary of $283,521. Lambda follows closely with an average salary of $265,339. Other top-paying companies include Expedia Group Media Solutions, Nutanix, and F5, with average salaries over $200,000. Several major tech companies like NetApp, Roku, AMD, Micron Technology, and Google also offer competitive salaries in San Jose. These companies pay their employees well, attracting talent from across the country. For job seekers, these companies represent great opportunities for career growth and financial rewards.
Graph displaying company salaries in San Jose, CA, highlighting Synaptics Incorporated with the highest at $283,521 and Google with the lowest at $202,713.

  1. Synaptics Incorporated
    Average Salary: $283,521
    Synaptics Incorporated, a leader in human-computer interaction technology, offers competitive salaries and benefits to its employees.


  2. Lambda
    Average Salary: $265,339
    Lambda, a data and analytics company, provides high-paying roles with attractive compensation packages.


  3. Expedia Group Media Solutions
    Average Salary: $237,857
    Expedia Group Media Solutions, part of the global travel giant, offers competitive pay for its digital marketing professionals.


  4. Nutanix
    Average Salary: $237,590
    Nutanix, a cloud computing company, provides robust salaries and benefits to its skilled employees.


  5. F5
    Average Salary: $221,452
    F5, a leading application delivery networking company, offers competitive compensation for its technology experts.


  6. NetApp
    Average Salary: $217,279
    NetApp, a data storage company, provides attractive salaries and benefits to its employees in the tech field.


  7. Roku
    Average Salary: $213,797
    Roku, a streaming platform company, offers competitive pay for its innovative employees in the tech industry.


  8. AMD
    Average Salary: $208,176
    AMD, a semiconductor company, provides high-paying roles for its tech and engineering professionals.


  9. Micron Technology
    Average Salary: $205,520
    Micron Technology, a leader in semiconductor technology, offers attractive compensation packages to its employees.


  10. Google
    Average Salary: $202,713
    Google, a global tech giant, provides competitive salaries and benefits to its diverse team of professionals.

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

San Jose, CA, has a higher cost of living than the nationwide average across several key areas. Housing costs stand at 252, which is 152% higher than the national average. Groceries cost 15% more, utilities 12% more, and transportation 33% more in San Jose. While healthcare costs are relatively close to the national average at 99%, miscellaneous expenses sit at 17% higher. This data underscores the elevated cost of living in San Jose, particularly for housing and transportation.
Cost of living comparison graph for San Jose, CA vs. Nationwide: housing 152% higher, groceries 15% higher, utilities 12% higher, transportation 33% higher, healthcare 1% lower, miscellaneous 17% higher.

San Jose, CA, shows a higher cost of living compared to the nationwide average. The housing costs stand at 252, which is 152% higher than the national average. This means housing expenses in San Jose are more than double those of the average American city. Additionally, the groceries index is at 115, indicating a 15% increase in the cost of food compared to the nationwide average.


Other living expenses in San Jose also reflect higher costs. Utilities are 12% above the national average at 112, while transportation costs are 33% higher at 133. Healthcare costs remain relatively close to the national average, with a 1% decrease at 99. Miscellaneous expenses are also 17% higher, with an index of 117. These figures illustrate that living in San Jose involves significant financial considerations across multiple aspects of daily life.

There are 4,645 job openings in San Jose, CA, today!

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