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 “in demand” 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’s also helpful to keep location-specific details in mind. The demand in one city, like Los Angeles, may differ from what you’ll find in Sacramento or the Napa Valley.
Below, you’ll find a list detailing 10 jobs with statewide demand in 2024 to help get you started.
Median annual US salary: $56,520 [1]
Job outlook: 5 percent (faster than average when compared to other jobs) [1]
*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’ll work in a dining establishment like a cafe, restaurant, or cafeteria and perform various job duties. Everyday tasks you’ll 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: $164,070 [2]
Job outlook: 15 percent (much faster than average when compared to other jobs) [2]
Education and licensing requirements: Bachelor’s degree in a computer-related field like computer and information technology, computer science, or engineering technologies; many employers also require a graduate degree like an MBA
In this role, you’ll oversee an organization's information technology (IT) activities and address computer-related problems. Everyday daily tasks and responsibilities are as follows:
Assess an organization’s 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: $38,220 [3]
Job outlook: 10 percent (much faster than average when compared to other jobs) [3]
Education and licensing requirements: High school diploma or equivalent, California driver’s 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 employers
Issue delivery notices, accept payments, and provide receipts
Median annual US salary: $61,910 [4]
Job outlook: 7 percent (faster than average when compared to other jobs) [4]
Education and licensing requirements: High school diploma (plus experience), associate degree in hotel management (plus experience), or bachelor’s 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’ questions and concerns
Communicate with hotel suppliers and travel companies
Median annual US salary: $138,730 [5]
Job outlook: 6 percent (faster than average when compared to other jobs) [5]
Education and licensing requirements: Bachelor’s degree in marketing, business (with an emphasis in marketing), or a related field like communications
As a marketing manager, you’ll 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
Hire and manage marketing staff
Conduct and analyze market research
Median annual US salary: $56,570 [6]
Job outlook: 15 percent (much faster than average when compared to other jobs) [6]
Education and licensing requirements: Bachelor’s degree in psychology or a similar field such as social work or sociology; master’s degree in marriage and family therapy; supervised clinical practicum; and the 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
Develop treatment plans for clients
Provide counseling and tools and techniques that clients can practice at home.
Refer clients to other professionals and outside resources if needed.
Median annual US salary: $125,900 [7]
Job outlook: 38 percent (much faster than average when compared to other jobs) [7]
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 disease or 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: $45,380 [8]
Job outlook: 14 percent (much faster than average when compared to other jobs) [8]
Education and licensing requirements: High school diploma or the equivalent; some employers may require an associate/bachelor’s 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’ or customers’ performance and offer feedback as needed
Provide information on nutrition and other healthy lifestyle topics
Median annual US salary: $124,200 [9]
Job outlook: 25 percent (much faster than average when compared to other jobs [9]
Education and licensing requirements: Bachelor’s degree in computer and information technology or a related field; some employers may require a master’s 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 quality performance of software through testing and maintenance
Median annual US salary: $51,680 [10]
Job outlook: 4 percent (about average when compared to other jobs) [10]
*Note: California employs more firefighters than any other US state, 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. Everyday tasks and responsibilities you’ll 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
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 Coursera. This beginner-level course will help you explore conducting a job search. You’ll also 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. “Occupational Outlook Handbook: Chefs and Head Cooks, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/food-preparation-and-serving/chefs-and-head-cooks.htm#tab-2.” Accessed March 4, 2024.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Occupational Outlook Handbook: Computer and Information Systems Managers, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/computer-and-information-systems-managers.htm.” Accessed March 4, 2024.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Occupational Outlook Handbook: Delivery Truck Drivers and Driver/Sales Workers, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/transportation-and-material-moving/delivery-truck-drivers-and-driver-sales-workers.htm.” Accessed March 4, 2024.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Occupational Outlook Handbook: Lodging Managers, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/lodging-managers.htm.” Accessed March 4, 2024.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Occupational Outlook Handbook: Advertising, Promotions, and Marketing Managers, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/advertising-promotions-and-marketing-managers.htm.” Accessed March 4, 2024.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Occupational Outlook Handbook: Marriage and Family Therapists, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/marriage-and-family-therapists.htm.” Accessed March 4, 2024.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Occupational Outlook Handbook: Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/nurse-anesthetists-nurse-midwives-and-nurse-practitioners.htm.” Accessed March 4, 2024.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Occupational Outlook Handbook: Fitness Trainers and Instructors, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/personal-care-and-service/fitness-trainers-and-instructors.htm.” Accessed March 4, 2024.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Occupational Outlook Handbook: Software Developers, Quality Assurance Analysts, and Testers, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/software-developers.htm.” Accessed March 4, 2024.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Occupational Outlook Handbook: Firefighters, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/protective-service/firefighters.htm.” Accessed March 4, 2024.
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