Financial Examiner Salary in California (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Financial Examiners in California, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
California Median
$106,000
per year
Hourly Rate
$50.96
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+13% vs US median
US median $94,160
State Rank
#7 of 49
4,200 employed here

How much does a Financial Examiner make in California?

A Financial Examiner working in California earns a median salary of $106,000 per year, or about $50.96 per hour. That is 13% above the national median of $94,160 for this occupation.

Within California, entry-level pay starts around $66,680 while the top 10% make $175,140 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $80,120 and $135,110 a year.

Financial Examiner salary range in California

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$66,680$32.06
25th percentile (early career)$80,120$38.52
50th percentile (median)$106,000$50.96
75th percentile (experienced)$135,110$64.96
90th percentile (top earners)$175,140$84.20

How California compares

California ranks 7th out of 49 states and territories for Financial Examiner pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1District of Columbia$198,720
2New York$128,920
3Connecticut$120,530
4Washington$113,700
5Massachusetts$111,110

Working as a Financial Examiner in California

Nationally, about 68,000 people work as Financial Examiners in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.

Considering a move? Compare California pay ($106,000) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Financial Examiner make in California?
The median Financial Examiner salary in California is $106,000 per year, or about $50.96 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $66,680 at the entry level to $175,140 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Financial Examiners about 13% more than the national median of $94,160. California ranks 7th out of 49 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Financial Examiners?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $106,000 a year. About 4,200 Financial Examiners are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Financial Examiner salary report

Related salaries

Fundraiser

$72,550
median pay · 111,000 employed

Personal Financial Advisor

$105,070
median pay · 267,000 employed

Project Management Specialist

$102,320
median pay · 1,067,000 employed

Buyers and Purchasing Agents

$77,710
median pay · 491,000 employed

Logistician

$82,320
median pay · 251,000 employed

Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators

$78,000
median pay · 324,000 employed
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.