California Median
$73,460
per year
Hourly Rate
$35.32
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+8% vs US median
US median $68,270
State Rank
#9 of 27
4,540 employed here
How much does a Taper make in California?
Tapers in California take home a median of $73,460 annually — roughly $35.32 an hour — which runs 8% above the national median of $68,270.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $45,800 while the top 10% make $115,370 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $59,760 and $88,540 a year.
Taper salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,800 | $22.02 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $59,760 | $28.73 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $73,460 | $35.32 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $88,540 | $42.57 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $115,370 | $55.47 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 9th out of 27 states and territories for Taper pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Taper salary in other states
Illinois $113,180Hawaii $95,490Pennsylvania $82,240Washington $79,040Minnesota $78,090New York $77,790Kansas $74,120Ohio $73,840Oregon $71,450Iowa $66,980Massachusetts $65,060Michigan $63,630Connecticut $63,600Missouri $63,020Nevada $60,690Wisconsin $57,840Idaho $57,690Arizona $56,300Colorado $54,500Utah $52,930Florida $49,400New Mexico $48,320North Carolina $45,770Texas $43,670Indiana $42,810West Virginia $41,600
Working as a Taper in California
Nationally, about 13,000 people work as Tapers in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($73,460) 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 Taper make in California?
The median Taper salary in California is $73,460 per year, or about $35.32 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $45,800 at the entry level to $115,370 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Tapers about 8% more than the national median of $68,270. California ranks 9th out of 27 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Tapers?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $73,460 a year. About 4,540 Tapers 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 Taper salary report
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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.