Highest and lowest paying health care jobs in Los Angeles
Highest and lowest paying health care jobs in Los Angeles
Anybody who has taken a course in marketing, psychology or sociology is likely familiar with Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. First detailed by psychologist Andrew Maslow in his 1943 work “A Theory of Human Motivation,” the hierarchy breaks down the complex network of human thoughts into a categorical triage, placing self-development at the top and security and physical health at the bottom. In setting up this pyramid, Maslow framed self-recognition and creative development as ultimate goals, while also prioritizing personal safety and strong physical health.
As such, it has never been more important to recognize the health care professionals who work tirelessly to keep the population healthy. In 2019, the United States spent 17.7% of its GDP on health. While it’s encouraging to know that the country is investing in those responsible for maintaining the nation’s well-being, not all health care professionals receive equal compensation.
Stacker compiled a list of the highest and lowest paying health care jobs in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Jobs are ranked by 2019 annual mean wage. Keep reading to see which health care jobs make the most and least in your city.
#60. Physical therapist aides
- Annual mean salary: $31,510
- #33 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,250
National
- Annual mean salary: $29,180
- Employment: 49,270
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Savannah, GA ($50,470)
--- Santa Rosa, CA ($44,720)
--- Boulder, CO ($41,450)
#59. Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers
- Annual mean salary: $31,860
- #44 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 4,170
National
- Annual mean salary: $29,690
- Employment: 97,030
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New Haven, CT ($48,240)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($43,890)
--- Port St. Lucie, FL ($43,200)

#58. Psychiatric aides
- Annual mean salary: $32,130
- #30 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 480
National
- Annual mean salary: $32,590
- Employment: 55,020
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Utica-Rome, NY ($48,280)
--- Rochester, NY ($45,890)
--- Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT ($45,010)
#57. Nursing assistants
- Annual mean salary: $34,800
- #38 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 41,150
National
- Annual mean salary: $30,720
- Employment: 1,419,920
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($46,170)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($45,100)
--- Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA ($44,710)
#56. Dietetic technicians
- Annual mean salary: $34,990
- #30 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,070
National
- Annual mean salary: $31,180
- Employment: 29,230
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN ($52,880)
--- Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA ($45,910)
--- Salinas, CA ($44,730)
#55. Medical transcriptionists
- Annual mean salary: $35,410
- #114 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,120
National
- Annual mean salary: $35,210
- Employment: 55,780
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($67,840)
--- Amarillo, TX ($56,970)
--- San Diego-Carlsbad, CA ($54,080)
#54. Pharmacy aides
- Annual mean salary: $37,370
- #10 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,270
National
- Annual mean salary: $30,490
- Employment: 37,280
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Fresno, CA ($46,610)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($46,430)
--- Santa Rosa, CA ($42,620)
#53. Medical assistants
- Annual mean salary: $38,300
- #56 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 32,040
National
- Annual mean salary: $35,720
- Employment: 712,430
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($49,880)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($48,920)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($47,140)
#52. Orderlies
- Annual mean salary: $38,960
- #10 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,500
National
- Annual mean salary: $30,710
- Employment: 46,990
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($51,240)
--- Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA ($49,270)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($44,730)
#51. Dental assistants
- Annual mean salary: $39,900
- #174 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 19,440
National
- Annual mean salary: $41,170
- Employment: 351,470
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Santa Rosa, CA ($56,010)
--- Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI ($54,510)
--- Rochester, MN ($53,010)

#50. Occupational therapy aides
- Annual mean salary: $40,560
- #5 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 200
National
- Annual mean salary: $34,310
- Employment: 7,560
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($66,430)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($47,740)
--- Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL ($43,240)
#49. Phlebotomists
- Annual mean salary: $41,580
- #32 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 4,750
National
- Annual mean salary: $36,480
- Employment: 128,290
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($58,610)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($54,040)
--- Redding, CA ($52,310)
#48. Massage therapists
- Annual mean salary: $42,890
- #119 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 6,320
National
- Annual mean salary: $47,180
- Employment: 107,240
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Anchorage, AK ($76,930)
--- Yakima, WA ($72,870)
--- College Station-Bryan, TX ($70,090)
#47. Ophthalmic medical technicians
- Annual mean salary: $43,840
- #24 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
National
- Annual mean salary: $38,760
- Employment: 58,600
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Duluth, MN-WI ($56,620)
--- Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI ($53,770)
--- New Bedford, MA ($53,250)
#46. Pharmacy technicians
- Annual mean salary: $45,270
- #12 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 12,710
National
- Annual mean salary: $35,250
- Employment: 417,780
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($51,090)
--- Santa Rosa, CA ($50,790)
--- Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA ($50,070)
#45. Veterinary technologists and technicians
- Annual mean salary: $47,150
- #8 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,620
National
- Annual mean salary: $36,670
- Employment: 110,650
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Norwich-New London-Westerly, CT-RI ($76,660)
--- Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA ($57,740)
--- Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV ($50,100)
#44. Medical equipment preparers
- Annual mean salary: $47,160
- #16 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,940
National
- Annual mean salary: $39,530
- Employment: 56,900
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($63,400)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($61,080)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($60,670)
#43. Opticians, dispensing
- Annual mean salary: $48,670
- #32 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,940
National
- Annual mean salary: $40,730
- Employment: 72,330
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Utica-Rome, NY ($70,730)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($68,970)
--- New Haven, CT ($66,020)
#42. Psychiatric technicians
- Annual mean salary: $52,320
- #17 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,280
National
- Annual mean salary: $37,550
- Employment: 78,470
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($72,990)
--- Fresno, CA ($66,710)
--- Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA ($66,290)

#41. Hearing aid specialists
- Annual mean salary: $53,910
- #25 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 150
National
- Annual mean salary: $55,360
- Employment: 8,210
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton, FL ($91,510)
--- Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL ($77,450)
--- Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI ($75,800)
#40. Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses
- Annual mean salary: $58,710
- #22 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 26,250
National
- Annual mean salary: $48,500
- Employment: 697,510
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($69,490)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($68,160)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($67,990)
#39. Surgical technologists
- Annual mean salary: $59,110
- #30 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,340
National
- Annual mean salary: $50,110
- Employment: 109,000
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($74,280)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($72,790)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($69,750)

#38. Athletic trainers
- Annual mean salary: $59,510
- #18 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 530
National
- Annual mean salary: $50,540
- Employment: 28,600
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($73,250)
--- Lansing-East Lansing, MI ($66,390)
--- Trenton, NJ ($65,320)
#37. Podiatrists
- Annual mean salary: $65,170
- #59 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
National
- Annual mean salary: $142,680
- Employment: 9,770
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC ($222,760)
--- Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI ($206,190)
--- Scranton--Wilkes-Barre--Hazleton, PA ($200,200)

#36. Chiropractors
- Annual mean salary: $67,090
- #115 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,490
National
- Annual mean salary: $85,010
- Employment: 35,010
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Toledo, OH ($160,330)
--- Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN ($149,580)
--- Reno, NV ($140,260)
#35. Physical therapist assistants
- Annual mean salary: $67,480
- #25 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,770
National
- Annual mean salary: $58,520
- Employment: 96,840
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($78,530)
--- Victoria, TX ($78,070)
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($75,470)
#34. Occupational therapy assistants
- Annual mean salary: $68,890
- #27 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 970
National
- Annual mean salary: $61,880
- Employment: 44,990
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($92,580)
--- Visalia-Porterville, CA ($83,690)
--- Reno, NV ($81,800)
#33. Recreational therapists
- Annual mean salary: $72,740
- #8 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 510
National
- Annual mean salary: $51,130
- Employment: 19,070
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande, CA ($83,590)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($82,800)
--- Fresno, CA ($82,170)
#32. Dietitians and nutritionists
- Annual mean salary: $73,930
- #20 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,800
National
- Annual mean salary: $62,330
- Employment: 67,670
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($88,350)
--- Salinas, CA ($87,930)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($87,890)
#31. Cardiovascular technologists and technicians
- Annual mean salary: $77,390
- #13 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,680
National
- Annual mean salary: $59,600
- Employment: 56,110
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salem, OR ($106,620)
--- Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA ($103,050)
--- Medford, OR ($82,780)
#30. Respiratory therapists
- Annual mean salary: $79,910
- #16 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 6,640
National
- Annual mean salary: $63,950
- Employment: 132,090
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($101,520)
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($98,810)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($97,950)
#29. Radiologic technologists and technicians
- Annual mean salary: $82,460
- #13 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 5,860
National
- Annual mean salary: $63,120
- Employment: 207,360
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($110,180)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($109,680)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($103,670)
#28. Exercise physiologists
- Annual mean salary: $88,760
- #2 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 100
National
- Annual mean salary: $54,750
- Employment: 7,280
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA ($184,950)
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($88,760)
--- Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL ($69,300)
#27. Speech-language pathologists
- Annual mean salary: $90,460
- #51 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 6,050
National
- Annual mean salary: $82,000
- Employment: 154,360
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($117,710)
--- Corvallis, OR ($105,380)
--- Chico, CA ($104,640)
#26. Occupational therapists
- Annual mean salary: $97,950
- #22 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,890
National
- Annual mean salary: $86,210
- Employment: 133,570
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- The Villages, FL ($115,090)
--- Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV ($108,870)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($107,450)
#25. Diagnostic medical sonographers
- Annual mean salary: $98,030
- #12 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,360
National
- Annual mean salary: $75,780
- Employment: 72,790
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($126,850)
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($118,880)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($115,280)
#24. Physical therapists
- Annual mean salary: $98,610
- #45 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 8,780
National
- Annual mean salary: $90,170
- Employment: 233,350
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Yuba City, CA ($116,360)
--- Bakersfield, CA ($116,120)
--- Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV ($113,950)
#23. Magnetic resonance imaging technologists
- Annual mean salary: $99,860
- #4 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,010
National
- Annual mean salary: $74,270
- Employment: 37,900
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($124,950)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($104,870)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($99,920)
#22. Genetic counselors
- Annual mean salary: $100,580
- #3 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 100
National
- Annual mean salary: $84,310
- Employment: 2,390
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($108,000)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($102,210)
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($100,580)
#21. Dental hygienists
- Annual mean salary: $103,350
- #16 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 6,660
National
- Annual mean salary: $77,230
- Employment: 221,560
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA ($140,150)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($120,420)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($113,940)
#20. Registered nurses
- Annual mean salary: $106,190
- #13 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 111,780
National
- Annual mean salary: $77,460
- Employment: 2,982,280
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($140,740)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($138,000)
--- Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA ($134,000)
#19. Nuclear medicine technologists
- Annual mean salary: $111,400
- #7 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 440
National
- Annual mean salary: $80,240
- Employment: 18,110
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($127,930)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($124,660)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($119,340)
#18. Veterinarians
- Annual mean salary: $116,860
- #50 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,930
National
- Annual mean salary: $104,820
- Employment: 74,540
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Sherman-Denison, TX ($210,960)
--- Lubbock, TX ($176,730)
--- Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA ($161,230)
#17. Radiation therapists
- Annual mean salary: $117,060
- #6 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 340
National
- Annual mean salary: $91,620
- Employment: 17,860
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($142,300)
--- San Diego-Carlsbad, CA ($126,260)
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($124,720)
#16. Audiologists
- Annual mean salary: $118,680
- #4 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 220
National
- Annual mean salary: $83,900
- Employment: 13,590
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Reno, NV ($146,950)
--- Fresno, CA ($131,270)
--- Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR ($120,440)

#15. Optometrists
- Annual mean salary: $124,090
- #79 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,610
National
- Annual mean salary: $122,980
- Employment: 39,420
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Champaign-Urbana, IL ($238,460)
--- Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT ($210,490)
--- Evansville, IN-KY ($183,380)
#14. Physician assistants
- Annual mean salary: $126,130
- #38 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,460
National
- Annual mean salary: $112,410
- Employment: 120,090
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($161,370)
--- Leominster-Gardner, MA ($156,250)
--- Waterbury, CT ($154,550)
#13. Orthotists and prosthetists
- Annual mean salary: $129,500
- #1 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 200
National
- Annual mean salary: $72,810
- Employment: 9,830
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($129,500)
--- Jackson, MS ($122,740)
--- Springfield, MA-CT ($103,700)

#12. Nurse practitioners
- Annual mean salary: $138,340
- #14 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 4,090
National
- Annual mean salary: $111,840
- Employment: 200,600
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($175,060)
--- Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA ($160,110)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($157,150)
#11. Pharmacists
- Annual mean salary: $141,570
- #37 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 13,070
National
- Annual mean salary: $125,510
- Employment: 311,200
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Tyler, TX ($161,790)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($158,250)
--- Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA ($157,850)
#10. Dentists, general
- Annual mean salary: $141,810
- #255 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 5,660
National
- Annual mean salary: $178,260
- Employment: 110,730
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Burlington, NC ($278,360)
--- Burlington-South Burlington, VT ($275,430)
--- Longview, TX ($272,440)
#9. Family medicine physicians
- Annual mean salary: $152,040
- #253 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,880
National
- Annual mean salary: $213,270
- Employment: 109,370
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Racine, WI ($286,030)
--- Jacksonville, NC ($282,580)
--- Gadsden, AL ($281,430)
#8. Pediatricians, general
- Annual mean salary: $161,520
- #70 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,230
National
- Annual mean salary: $184,410
- Employment: 29,740
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Rockford, IL ($277,390)
--- Killeen-Temple, TX ($273,770)
--- Chico, CA ($270,550)
#7. Nurse midwives
- Annual mean salary: $163,020
- #1 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 160
National
- Annual mean salary: $108,810
- Employment: 6,930
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($163,020)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($156,450)
--- San Diego-Carlsbad, CA ($130,140)
#6. General internal medicine physicians
- Annual mean salary: $203,790
- #68 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
National
- Annual mean salary: $201,440
- Employment: 44,610
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Sioux Falls, SD ($282,610)
--- Rapid City, SD ($280,990)
--- Barnstable Town, MA ($280,500)
#5. Obstetricians and gynecologists
- Annual mean salary: $212,680
- #49 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
National
- Annual mean salary: $233,610
- Employment: 18,620
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Fayetteville, NC ($284,520)
--- Akron, OH ($282,650)
--- Albuquerque, NM ($281,800)
#4. Nurse anesthetists
- Annual mean salary: $217,450
- #9 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 420
National
- Annual mean salary: $181,040
- Employment: 43,570
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Toledo, OH ($266,260)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($254,860)
--- Columbus, GA-AL ($247,540)

#3. Surgeons, except ophthalmologists
- Annual mean salary: $217,560
- #76 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,560
National
- Annual mean salary: $252,040
- Employment: 36,270
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Wausau, WI ($285,230)
--- Oshkosh-Neenah, WI ($285,210)
--- Asheville, NC ($284,780)

#2. Psychiatrists
- Annual mean salary: $242,260
- #40 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,230
National
- Annual mean salary: $220,430
- Employment: 25,530
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA ($282,400)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($280,270)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($280,200)

#1. Orthodontists
- Annual mean salary: $260,070
- #3 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
National
- Annual mean salary: $230,830
- Employment: 5,990
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton, FL ($272,960)
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($264,560)
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($260,070)



