How to find a job in California?

Seeking new horizons or a better future is something to be prepared for. For many years, the west coast of the United States has shown a lot of progress and economic stability, creating one of the most dynamic work environments with the best opportunities in the world.

In this article we are going to show you how to find a job in California, so that you can access as many job offers as possible and have more opportunities to find a job you like.

You may be interested in: How to find a job in New York?

Portals to find a job in California

With one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country, it's no wonder that job offers abound in California. Many employers have a hard time finding workers.

California jobs

If you are looking for a job, the best thing to do is to use the online means available. On the Internet you can find multiple websites where job offers in California are advertised.

Whether you want a government job or not, you can consult any of these databases to achieve your goal:

Best Paying Jobs in CA

Those who reside legally in the United States and have a college degree have a better chance of finding a job in California. To give you an idea of the highest paying jobs in 2023, here's a list with information from LinkedIn:

  • Specialist dentists. They can earn $95.26 an hour and this includes professionals such as endodontists, periodontists, prosthodontists and pediatric dentists.
  • Dermatologists. They earn $94.15/hour and treat cases such as acne, psoriasis, rashes, skin cancer, nail fungus, alopecia and wrinkles.
  • Managerial executives. They earn an average of $92.96/hour and here we find CEOs, CHROs, COOs and CTOs.
  • Animal scientists. These are the ones who research farm animals and earn on average $92.37/h.
  • IT managers. The salary of these computer systems specialists is around $85/hour.
  • Natural science specialists. These are usually scientists who deal with subjects such as biology, ecology, zoology, among others. Their average salary is $84.34 per hour.
  • Pediatricians. These well-known doctors can generate more by specializing. In general, they receive $81.5 per hour.
  • Architects and civil engineers. They can tackle design, planning, construction, manufacturing and even quality control. Their salary averages $81.3 per hour.

However, if you don't have a college degree, you can still make a decent salary. In this category, professions such as:

  • Pilot. The responsibility of operating a commercial aircraft carries a good annual salary, which can be $98,940 or more.
  • HVAC Supervisor. HVAC systems require good maintenance and design. In this profession you can earn on average $86,000 each year.
  • Massage therapist. If you enjoy providing relief and relaxation with your hands, this can earn you $83,000 a year.
  • Distribution manager. These are in charge of handling business logistics and typically earn an average of $78,245 per year.
  • Front desk manager. They are responsible for making sure that customers are satisfied during their stay in hotels and other places. For this they receive $78,170 annually.

Other professions that also pay well include web developers, police officers, nuclear operators, tow truck drivers and metallurgists.

Tips for finding a job in California

In this guide to finding a job in California we cannot detail the process because each case must be examined personally. Instead, we will provide you with a checklist that is valid for any job market:

  • Organize your time so that you can make this list in the most efficient way.
  • Identify what your skills are according to your experience, review offers and determine the most suitable ones.
  • Consult any sources that could help you find employment, such as friends/family, job centers, newsletters and the sites mentioned above.
  • Prepare your CV/portfolio and other documents you may need, such as cover letters, copies, IDs, maps, etc.
  • Contact potential employers (even if they have not advertised vacancies), consult family/friends and fill out applications that match your profile.
  • Prepare well for the interviews: Learn something about the company, check how you can help them with your background, have your documents ready and be on time.
  • During the interviews be confident and express yourself assertively, dress accordingly, go unaccompanied and be sure to thank the interviewer.
  • Evaluate the interviews to understand what you can improve. We also suggest you send a thank you letter to your evaluator 24 hours later.
  • Keep learning and polishing your skills so you can find the position you want.

California's employment situation

As of this writing, unemployment in California was up 0.1% in January from December. In practice, this means that for every 100 people who are not employed, there are at least 80 job openings.

In historical context, the state is at one of its best times in terms of job opportunities.

Overall, California has steadily added more jobs during 2021 and 2022. As of December of last year, it had already recovered all the jobs lost in the pandemic and added 70,000 more.

Although the state has increased pay by 3.6% (3.0% nationally), nonfarm hiring (0.4%) is below the national average (0.8%).

Knowing how to find a job in California is an important step if you're joining a new place. If you also need financing or to open an account, Busconómico provides you with updated information.

Español: ¿Cómo encontrar un trabajo en California?