Salaries in San Jose, CA

Updated on Jun 05, 2025
City
Salary

What is the average salary in San Jose, CA?

The average salary in San Jose, CA is $90,976 per year.

San Jose, CA, offers competitive salaries across various industries. The average salary in the area is around $90,976. This figure highlights the potential for earning a good income in this tech hub. The city's strong economy and diverse job market contribute to these attractive salary figures.


Some of the top-paying industries in San Jose include technology, healthcare, and finance. For example, tech professionals can earn upwards of $159,982 per year. Healthcare workers often see salaries around $180,645 annually. Finance professionals can expect to earn about $201,309 per year. These numbers show the high earning potential available in these sectors. Job seekers in San Jose can benefit from the city's robust job market and competitive salaries.

View jobs in San Jose, CA

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

San Jose offers many high-paying job opportunities, especially in the tech and healthcare sectors. Primary care physicians lead the list with an average salary of $270,112. General dentists and physicians also earn top salaries, with figures around $237,240 and $201,834, respectively. Engineering and IT roles also pay well. Principal engineers and solutions architects can earn over $200,000. Other high-paying jobs include architects, delivery managers, and technical programs managers. These positions offer salaries ranging from $177,000 to $193,000. These jobs provide excellent career opportunities for those seeking a good income in San Jose.
Graph displaying best paying job salaries in San Jose, CA, highlighting Primary Care Physician with the highest at $270,112 and Staff Engineer with the lowest at $177,152.
  1. Primary Care Physician
    Average Salary: $270,112
    Primary care physicians diagnose and treat a wide range of health issues. They work in hospitals and clinics, often collaborating with specialists. In San Jose, many physicians work with tech companies, offering health services to employees.
    Find Primary Care Physician jobs in San Jose, CA


  2. Physician
    Average Salary: $237,240
    Physicians diagnose and treat illnesses and injuries. They often work in hospitals and clinics. In San Jose, physicians may work with tech companies, providing health services to employees. They work with a variety of specialists to ensure comprehensive care.
    Find Physician jobs in San Jose, CA


  3. General Dentist
    Average Salary: $201,834
    General dentists provide routine dental care. They clean teeth, fill cavities, and perform other dental procedures. In San Jose, dentists often work in private practices or dental clinics. They may also work with tech companies, offering dental services to employees.
    Find General Dentist jobs in San Jose, CA


  4. Principal Engineer
    Average Salary: $201,793
    Principal engineers lead engineering teams. They design and implement systems and solutions. In San Jose, principal engineers often work for tech companies. They collaborate with other engineers and managers to ensure projects are completed on time and within budget.
    Find Principal Engineer jobs in San Jose, CA


  5. Solutions Architect
    Average Salary: $193,175
    Solutions architects design and plan IT solutions. They work with clients to understand their needs. In San Jose, solutions architects often work for tech companies. They create detailed plans and specifications for IT systems.
    Find Solutions Architect jobs in San Jose, CA


  6. Architect
    Average Salary: $186,662
    Architects design buildings and other structures. They work with clients to create functional and aesthetically pleasing designs. In San Jose, architects often work for construction firms. They create detailed plans and specifications for buildings.
    Find Architect jobs in San Jose, CA


  7. Delivery Manager
    Average Salary: $181,482
    Delivery managers oversee the delivery of projects. They ensure projects are completed on time and within budget. In San Jose, delivery managers often work for tech companies. They coordinate with various teams to ensure smooth project delivery.
    Find Delivery Manager jobs in San Jose, CA


  8. Technical Programs Manager
    Average Salary: $179,322
    Technical programs managers oversee technical programs. They ensure programs are completed on time and within budget. In San Jose, technical programs managers often work for tech companies. They coordinate with various teams to ensure smooth program delivery.
    Find Technical Programs Manager jobs in San Jose, CA


  9. Business Director
    Average Salary: $178,047
    Business directors oversee business operations. They develop strategies to improve business performance. In San Jose, business directors often work for tech companies. They work with various teams to ensure business goals are met.
    Find Business Director jobs in San Jose, CA


  10. Staff Engineer
    Average Salary: $177,152
    Staff engineers design and implement systems and solutions. They work with other engineers and managers to ensure projects are completed on time and within budget. In San Jose, staff engineers often work for tech companies. They create detailed plans and specifications for systems and solutions.
    Find Staff Engineer jobs in San Jose, CA

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

San Jose offers many high-paying jobs that do not require a college degree. Concrete finishers, restaurant managers, and kitchen managers lead the list with strong earnings. These roles provide a chance to earn a good income while gaining valuable experience. Concrete finishers, for example, work on construction sites and can earn over $60,000 a year. Restaurant and kitchen managers oversee daily operations and can also earn over $60,000. These jobs offer good pay and the chance to grow in a dynamic work environment.
Graph displaying best paying job salaries in San Jose, CA without a degree, highlighting Concrete Finisher with the highest at $63,417 and Groundskeeper with the lowest at $43,754.
  1. Concrete Finisher
    Average Salary: $63,417
    This role involves smoothing and finishing concrete. Workers prepare forms and mix concrete. They work for construction companies and general contractors. The job requires physical strength and attention to detail.
    Find Concrete Finisher jobs in San Jose, CA


  2. Restaurant Manager
    Average Salary: $62,042
    Manage daily operations of a restaurant. Oversee staff, handle customer service, and ensure smooth service. Work for various dining establishments. Requires strong leadership and customer service skills.
    Find Restaurant Manager jobs in San Jose, CA


  3. Kitchen Manager
    Average Salary: $58,619
    Oversee kitchen staff and operations. Ensure food quality and safety. Manage inventory and budgets. Work in hotels, restaurants, and catering companies. Requires strong organizational skills and culinary knowledge.
    Find Kitchen Manager jobs in San Jose, CA


  4. Grain Elevator Operator
    Average Salary: $55,398
    Operate machinery to move grain. Monitor equipment and ensure safe operation. Work for grain storage facilities. Requires knowledge of machinery and safety protocols.
    Find Grain Elevator Operator jobs in San Jose, CA


  5. Arborist Climber
    Average Salary: $54,629
    Climb trees to trim and remove branches. Ensure tree health and safety. Work for landscaping companies. Requires physical fitness and tree climbing skills.
    Find Arborist Climber jobs in San Jose, CA


  6. Irrigation Technician
    Average Salary: $48,493
    Install and maintain irrigation systems. Ensure proper water distribution. Work for landscaping and agricultural companies. Requires knowledge of irrigation systems and basic mechanical skills.
    Find Irrigation Technician jobs in San Jose, CA


  7. Housekeeping
    Average Salary: $47,243
    Clean rooms and common areas. Maintain a tidy environment. Work in hotels, motels, and residential properties. Requires attention to detail and cleaning skills.
    Find Housekeeping jobs in San Jose, CA


  8. Floor Tech
    Average Salary: $46,591
    Maintain and repair floors. Use various tools and materials. Work in commercial and residential settings. Requires knowledge of flooring materials and repair techniques.
    Find Floor Tech jobs in San Jose, CA


  9. Yard Worker
    Average Salary: $45,670
    Perform landscaping tasks. Maintain lawns, gardens, and outdoor areas. Work for landscaping companies. Requires physical strength and knowledge of gardening practices.
    Find Yard Worker jobs in San Jose, CA


  10. Groundskeeper
    Average Salary: $43,754
    Maintain outdoor areas. Perform tasks like mowing, trimming, and cleaning. Work for schools, parks, and private properties. Requires physical fitness and basic landscaping skills.
    Find Groundskeeper jobs in San Jose, CA

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

Job seekers in San Jose, CA, have many top-paying companies to consider. Arm, ByteDance, and LifeStance Health lead the way with the highest average salaries. Arm offers an average salary of $233,850, followed by ByteDance at $220,604, and LifeStance Health at $204,836. Other companies also provide competitive salaries. Nutanix, TikTok, and Micron Technology, Inc. offer average salaries ranging from $200,958 to $193,429. One Medical, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Samsung Semiconductor Inc (US), and NetApp also provide attractive compensation packages. These companies make San Jose a great place to find a well-paying job.
Graph displaying company salaries in San Jose, CA, highlighting Arm with the highest at $233,850 and NetApp with the lowest at $181,570.
  1. Arm
    Average Salary: $233,850
    Arm is a leading semiconductor and software design company. It provides technology that powers every kind of connected device and is a part of many industries.


  2. ByteDance
    Average Salary: $220,604
    ByteDance is a technology company known for creating TikTok. It also offers a range of other products and services.


  3. LifeStance Health
    Average Salary: $204,836
    LifeStance Health is a mental healthcare company. It provides services for patients of all ages, offering both in-person and telehealth services.


  4. Nutanix
    Average Salary: $200,958
    Nutanix is a cloud computing company. It specializes in hyper-converged infrastructure and cloud management solutions.


  5. TikTok
    Average Salary: $200,322
    TikTok is a leading social media platform. It allows users to create and share short videos with a variety of creative tools.


  6. Micron Technology, Inc.
    Average Salary: $193,429
    Micron Technology is a global leader in semiconductor solutions. It designs, manufactures, and markets memory and storage products.


  7. One Medical
    Average Salary: $191,350
    One Medical is a healthcare provider. It offers both in-person and telehealth services, focusing on primary care for members.


  8. Hewlett Packard Enterprise | HPE
    Average Salary: $186,645
    HPE is a technology company. It provides hardware, software, and services to enterprises and organizations.


  9. Samsung Semiconductor Inc (US)
    Average Salary: $183,316
    Samsung Semiconductor is a part of Samsung Electronics. It designs and manufactures semiconductors for various applications.


  10. NetApp
    Average Salary: $181,570
    NetApp is a data management company. It provides solutions for data storage, management, and protection.

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

San Jose, CA, has a higher cost of living compared to the nationwide average. The cost of living index in San Jose stands at 140, which is 40% higher than the average of 100. This increase is largely driven by housing costs, which are double the national average. Other categories like groceries, utilities, and healthcare also show significant increases, making the overall cost of living in San Jose notably higher.
Cost of living comparison graph for San Jose, CA vs. Nationwide: housing 100% higher, groceries 20% higher, utilities 10% higher, transportation 30% higher, healthcare 50% higher, miscellaneous 15% higher.

San Jose, CA, has a higher cost of living compared to the nationwide average. Housing costs are notably higher, with a cost of living index of 200. This means housing expenses in San Jose are twice as high as the national average. Job seekers should be aware that finding affordable housing may be more challenging in San Jose.


Other expenses also exceed the national average. Groceries have a cost of living index of 120, meaning they are 20% more expensive than the average. Utilities cost 10% more, with an index of 110. Transportation costs are 30% higher, at 130. Healthcare costs are 50% above the average, with an index of 150. Miscellaneous expenses are 15% higher, at 115. These factors combine to make San Jose a more expensive place to live overall.

There are 6,453 job openings in San Jose, CA, today!

Take a deeper dive into the job market in San Jose, CA

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.
City
Overview
San Jose, CA
6,453 Job Openings