Discover 10 California careers in demand across a variety of employment sectors.
As the largest state in the US by population, California offers employment in various industries. To find out what types of jobs you might find in the Golden State, discover 10 California jobs in demand across various fields like delivery services, health care, hospitality, technology, and wellness. Generally, you can define jobs classified as 鈥渋n demand鈥 as those with a good job outlook and an average or higher projected growth rate.
To find an in-demand job that meets your interests, consider factors like how it will fit into your life and if it meshes well with your passions and skills. It鈥檚 also helpful to keep location-specific details in mind. The demand in one city, like Los Angeles, may differ from what you鈥檒l find in Sacramento or the Napa Valley.
Below, you鈥檒l find a list detailing 10 jobs with statewide demand to help get you started.听
Median annual US salary (BLS): $60,990 []
Job outlook (projected growth from 2023 to 2033): 8 percent (Faster than average when compared to other jobs) []
*Note: California employs more chefs and head cooks than any other US state, so the job outlook is likely to be higher here [].
Education and licensing requirements: High school diploma, degree, or certificate from a culinary arts program (at a community college, technical school, or culinary arts school) or equivalent work experience
As a chef or head cook, you鈥檒l work in a dining establishment like a cafe, restaurant, or cafeteria and perform various job duties. Every day tasks you鈥檒l likely encounter include the following:
Create menus
Develop recipes
Hire, train, and supervise other cooks
Maintain an inventory of food and supplies
Follow safety and sanitation procedures
Median annual US salary (BLS): $171,200 []
Job outlook (projected growth from 2023 to 2033): 17 percent (Much faster than average when compared to other jobs) []
Education and licensing requirements: Bachelor鈥檚 degree in a computer-related field like computer and information technology, computer science, or engineering technologies; many employers also require a graduate degree, like a Master of Business Administration (MBA)
In this role, you鈥檒l oversee an organization's information technology (IT) activities and address computer-related problems. Every day, daily tasks and responsibilities are as follows:
Assess an organization鈥檚 computer needs
Plan and oversee computer hardware and software installation and maintenance
Supervise other IT professionals
Ensure IT security within an organization
Create and follow an IT budget
Median annual US salary (BLS): $42,770 []
Job outlook (projected growth from 2023 to 2033): 9 percent (Much faster than average when compared to other jobs) []
Education and licensing requirements: High school diploma or equivalent, California driver鈥檚 license, clean driving record, and on-the-job training
As a delivery truck driver, you will pick up and deliver packages or other items to individuals or businesses within a city or geographical region. Typical tasks for a delivery truck driver include:
Daily communication with coworkers and customers
Load and unload cargo
Follow traffic regulations and maintain a good driving record
Report any delivery, mechanical, or customer problems to your employers
Issue delivery notices, accept payments, and provide receipts
Median annual US salary (BLS): $68,130 []
Job outlook (projected growth from 2023 to 2033): 10 percent (Much faster than average when compared to other jobs) []
Education and licensing requirements: High school diploma (plus experience), associate degree in hotel management (plus experience), or bachelor鈥檚 degree in hotel management or hospitality
A hotel manager oversees hotel operations to ensure efficiency and guest satisfaction. In this role, your duties and responsibilities might include the following:
Hire, train, and manage hotel staff
Create and manage a hotel budget
Interact with hotel guests as they arrive and depart
Address guests鈥 questions and concerns聽
Communicate with hotel suppliers and travel companies
Median annual US salary (BLS): $159,660 []
Job outlook (projected growth from 2023 to 2033): 8 percent (Faster than average when compared to other jobs) []
Education and licensing requirements: Bachelor鈥檚 degree in marketing, business (with an emphasis in marketing), or a related field like communications
As a marketing manager, you鈥檒l develop strategies to interest consumers in brands, products, and services. You may engage in everyday tasks like the following:
Create, plan, and manage marketing campaigns
Present potential marketing campaigns to employers, clients, and stakeholders
Negotiate and draw up marketing contracts聽
Hire and manage marketing staff
Conduct and analyze market research
Median annual US salary (BLS): $63,780 []
Job outlook (projected growth from 2023 to 2033): 16 percent (Much faster than average when compared to other jobs) []
Education and licensing requirements: Bachelor鈥檚 degree in psychology or a similar field, such as social work or sociology; Master鈥檚 degree in marriage and family therapy; Supervised clinical practicum; Passing of a state licensing exam
A marriage and family therapist works with couples, families, and individuals within these groups to identify and treat behavioral, emotional, and psychological problems. Your tasks and responsibilities within this position will include:
Assess clients to determine treatment needs.
Create and maintain confidential client files聽
Develop treatment plans for clients
Provide counseling, tools, and techniques that clients can practice at home
Refer clients to other professionals and outside resources if needed
Median annual US salary (BLS): $132,050 []
Job outlook (projected growth from 2023 to 2033): 40 percent (Much faster than average when compared to other jobs) []
Education and licensing requirements: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), master's degree in nursing with a nurse practitioner emphasis, passing of a national board certification exam for nurse practitioners, and current RN license through the State of California
Also known as an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), a nurse practitioner provides general or specialty medical care to patients instead of a physician. The following list represents some common duties you may have as a nurse practitioner:
Assess patients to determine the underlying cause of the disease or the status of injury
Conduct physical exams and diagnostic tests
Create treatment plans for patients
Prescribe and dispense medication or medical advice
Consult with physicians and other medical professionals
Median annual US salary (BLS): $46,180 []
Job outlook (projected growth from 2023 to 2033): 14 percent (Much faster than average when compared to other jobs) []
Education and licensing requirements: High school diploma or the equivalent; Some employers may require an associate or bachelor鈥檚 degree in physical education or exercise science or a specialty certification
As a personal trainer, you will instruct clients or health club customers in exercise, stretching, and strength training and may offer advice concerning health and wellness. Some tasks and responsibilities in this role include:
Evaluate clients to determine exercise needs
Develop exercise plans for clients or customers
Teach individuals how to perform exercises and provide demonstrations
Observe clients鈥 or customers鈥 performance and offer feedback as needed
Provide information on nutrition and other healthy lifestyle topics
Median annual US salary (BLS): $131,450[]
Job outlook (projected growth from 2023 to 2033): 17 percent (Much faster than average when compared to other jobs []
Education and licensing requirements: Bachelor鈥檚 degree in computer and information technology or a related field; Some employers may require a master鈥檚 degree
A software developer designs, builds, and maintains software dependent upon the needs of an employer or client. These are some duties you may have as a software developer:
Make recommendations regarding software needs or upgrades to existing software.
Present plans, models, and diagrams to demonstrate the necessary software code
Design and build new software
Document software development and provide feedback to employers or clients
Ensure the quality performance of software through testing and maintenance
Median annual US salary (BLS): $59,530 []
Job outlook (projected growth from 2023 to 2033): 4 percent (About average when compared to other jobs) []
*Note: California has the second-highest employment rate of firefighters compared to other US states, so the job outlook is likely to be higher here [].
Education and licensing requirements: High school diploma, emergency medical training, fire academy training, the age requirement of at least 18 years, passing of physical fitness and written tests; Some fire departments may require additional credentials such as EMT certification
A wildland firefighter works with other firefighters to control forest fires. Every day tasks and responsibilities you鈥檒l encounter in this role include:
Respond to forest fires.
Use firefighting tools like shovels, chainsaws, and Pulaskis
Cut down trees and remove grass and dirt to create fire lines
Control fire fuels by conducting prescribed burns
Educate the public about wildland fire safety
According to data from the Public Policy Institute of California, the industries providing the most to the state鈥檚 economy include healthcare, real estate, finance, and manufacturing []. Growing contributions to the state economy allows for more job opportunities to open up for professionals in the state.
With many in-demand careers to choose from, the time to start sharpening your skills and preparing your resume is now. Before applying for high-demand jobs in California, consider taking Land Your Next Role, a course offered by the experts at Aptly on 糖心vlog官网观看. This beginner-level course will help you explore conducting a job search. You鈥檒l also have the opportunity to learn how to network and discover how to write an impactful resume while getting tips for improving your interviewing skills.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics. 鈥, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/food-preparation-and-serving/chefs-and-head-cooks.htm.鈥 Accessed May 27, 2025.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics. 鈥, https://www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes351011.htm.鈥 Accessed May 27, 2025.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics. 鈥, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/computer-and-information-systems-managers.htm.鈥 Accessed May 27, 2025.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics. 鈥, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/transportation-and-material-moving/delivery-truck-drivers-and-driver-sales-workers.htm.鈥 Accessed May 27, 2025.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics. 鈥, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/lodging-managers.htm.鈥 Accessed May 27, 2025.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics. 鈥, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/advertising-promotions-and-marketing-managers.htm.鈥 Accessed May 27, 2025.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics. 鈥, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/marriage-and-family-therapists.htm.鈥 Accessed May 27, 2025.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics. 鈥, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/nurse-anesthetists-nurse-midwives-and-nurse-practitioners.htm.鈥 Accessed May 27, 2025.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics. 鈥, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/personal-care-and-service/fitness-trainers-and-instructors.htm.鈥 Accessed May 27, 2025.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics. 鈥, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/software-developers.htm.鈥 Accessed May 27, 2025.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics. 鈥, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/protective-service/firefighters.htm.鈥 Accessed May 27, 2025.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics. 鈥, https://www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes332011.htm.鈥 Accessed May 27, 2025.
Public Policy Institute of California. 鈥, https://www.ppic.org/publication/californias-economy/.鈥 Accessed May 27, 2025.
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