News Summary
A recent analysis of payroll data reveals that a significant portion of workers in Los Angeles and Orange County aspire to earn six-figure salaries for financial comfort. The median wage in the region is $53,490, but only five major occupational categories offer salaries exceeding $100,000. As the cost of living continues to rise, the quest for high-paying jobs becomes essential for many residents seeking economic stability.
Los Angeles – A significant portion of the workforce in Los Angeles and Orange County is seeking six-figure incomes to achieve financial comfort, according to a recent analysis of 2024 payroll data. The annual employment report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that in this metropolitan area, the median wage stands at $53,490, with only a handful of occupations offering salaries that exceed the coveted $100,000 mark.
Among the 22 major occupational categories examined, only five boast median annual wages surpassing the six-figure threshold. These categories include Legal, Management, Computer-Mathematical, Healthcare-Technical, and Architecture-Engineering. Collectively, these professions employ approximately 1.1 million individuals, or 18% of the metro area’s 6.2 million local workers.
The report highlights that the 75th percentile wage in the Los Angeles and Orange County region is $90,360 annually, translating to 69% higher than the median wage. This percentile marks the income threshold below which 75% of workers fall. Interestingly, when including additional job categories, there are nine occupations that yield annual wages exceeding $100,000 at the 75th percentile. These are:
- Legal: $210,550 (64% above a median of $128,680 for 67,650 workers)
- Management: $196,390 (49% above a median of $131,930 for 449,010 workers)
- Computer-Mathematical: $160,230 (32% above a median of $121,480 for 178,860 workers)
- Healthcare-Technical: $151,810 (44% above a median of $105,750 for 324,970 workers)
- Architecture-Engineering: $140,880 (32% above a median of $106,540 for 93,340 workers)
- Life-Physical-Social Science: $127,540 (32% above a median of $96,480 for 52,510 workers)
- Business-Financial: $124,740 (39% above a median of $89,470 for 424,770 workers)
- Arts-Design-Entertainment-Sports-Media: $122,090 (48% above a median of $82,490 for 174,200 workers)
- Education-Library: $102,490 (56% above a median of $65,520 for 344,320 workers)
In addition to these high-paying jobs, several other occupational sectors reported impressive earnings at the 75th percentile. These sectors include:
- Construction and Extraction: $96,980
- Community and Social Service: $92,880
- Protective Service: $87,160
- Installation, Maintenance, and Repair: $82,460
- Sales and Related: $63,790
- Office and Administrative Support: $63,580
- Production: $58,680
- Transportation and Material Moving: $55,540
- Farming, Fishing, and Forestry: $53,610
- Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance: $47,860
- Personal Care and Service: $46,210
- Food Preparation and Serving Related: $44,700
- Healthcare Support: $41,710
Comparatively, the local median wage of $53,490 is 8% higher than the national median wage of $49,500. Furthermore, the 75th percentile local wage of $90,360 exceeds the national figure of $78,810 by 15%. At the lower end, the 25th percentile local wages are at $38,120, compared to $36,730 nationally, which is a 4% increase.
This data paints a clear picture of the economic landscape in Los Angeles and Orange County. Jobs within high-demand sectors remain the most lucrative, while the median wage highlights a growing disparity between various occupations in terms of pay. As the cost of living continues to rise in this thriving metropolitan area, the pursuit of six-figure incomes remains a critical component of financial stability for many residents.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Additional Resources
- OC Register: Who’s Making Six Figures in Los Angeles and Orange Counties
- Los Angeles Times: Six Figures is Low Income in Orange, Santa Barbara, and San Diego Counties
- NBC Los Angeles: Making Less than $100K in OC? You May Qualify for Low-Income Housing
- FOX LA: Southern California County Median Household Income 2025
- Wikipedia: Income Distribution in the United States
Author: STAFF HERE HUNTINGTON BEACH
The Huntington Beach Staff Writer represents the experienced team at HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Huntington Beach, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Huntington Beach Surf City USA Marathon, the U.S. Open of Surfing, Fourth of July celebrations at the Huntington Beach Pier, and community festivals at Huntington Beach Central Park. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Huntington Beach Chamber of Commerce and Visit Huntington Beach, plus leading businesses in retail, hospitality, and outdoor recreation that drive the local economy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HERECostaMesa.com, HERESantaAna.com, and HERELosAngeles.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape.
