Complete jobs in los angeles guide. County of la jobs, universal studios, silicon beach tech, SpaceX, healthcare, la metro. Salary data, how to apply. Free.
Last updated: April 2026. This guide covers jobs in los angeles, including LA County, City of LA, and the greater Los Angeles metro. It won’t cover Orange County, San Diego, or the Inland Empire in detail, though many LA employers serve those areas too.
county of los angeles jobs are searched by 40,500 people every month. city of los angeles jobs gets 18,100. jobs in los angeles adds tens of thousands more across every variation.
Los Angeles is the second-largest city in the United States, and LA County is the most populous county in the entire country, 10 million people across 88 cities. The LA metro GDP exceeds $1 trillion. That’s not a typo. One trillion dollars, larger than the GDP of most nations.
What makes LA’s job market unique? Entertainment, obviously, Hollywood, music, gaming, and streaming. But that’s just the headline. LA also has the busiest port complex in the Western Hemisphere (Port of LA + Port of Long Beach), a massive aerospace and defense sector, a booming tech scene (“Silicon Beach”), world-class healthcare systems, and county and city government agencies that collectively employ over 100,000 people.
The tradeoff? Cost of living is high, though not as extreme as San Francisco. Traffic is legendary. But the career opportunities are extraordinary.
This guide covers every major LA job category with exact pay, where to apply, and the positions most people overlook.
county of los angeles jobs: the largest county employer in america
why county of los angeles careers matter
county of los angeles jobs and county of los angeles careers are searched by 40,500 people monthly with KD of just 2–3. LA County is the largest county in the US by population, and the County government is its largest employer, over 110,000 employees across 37 departments.
That’s not a small operation. LA County’s annual budget exceeds $40 billion. The County runs hospitals, courts, sheriff’s department, fire department, parks, beaches, libraries, social services, and public health across a geographic area the size of a small state.
county of los angeles job opportunities and pay
LA County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) Deputy Sheriff starting: $65,000–$75,000/year After 5 years: $100,000+/year With overtime: $120,000–$160,000+/year LASD is the largest sheriff’s department in the world with 18,000+ employees.
LA County Fire Department Firefighter starting: $60,000–$70,000/year After 5 years: $95,000+/year With overtime: $120,000–$150,000+/year LA County Fire covers the unincorporated areas and 60+ contract cities.
LA County Department of Health Services (DHS) The County operates 4 hospitals (LAC+USC, Harbor-UCLA, Olive View, Rancho Los Amigos) and dozens of community health centers. RN: $75,000–$120,000/year Physician: $180,000–$350,000/year Medical Assistant: $38,000–$52,000/year Administrative: $40,000–$75,000/year
Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) Social Worker: $55,000–$85,000/year. One of the largest child welfare agencies in the nation.
LA County Public Library library jobs los angeles at the County library system. Librarian: $55,000–$85,000/year. Library Assistant: $35,000–$50,000/year. la public library jobs and la library jobs are searched by 1,900 people monthly (KD 5).
Probation Department Probation Officer: $55,000–$85,000/year Deputy Probation Officer: $50,000–$75,000/year
Department of Public Works Engineers: $75,000–$130,000/year Inspectors: $55,000–$85,000/year Road maintenance: $18–$30/hour
Administrative positions (all departments) Clerks: $35,000–$50,000/year Analysts: $55,000–$85,000/year Managers: $80,000–$130,000/year
county of los angeles careers benefits
Pension: LA County Employees Retirement Association (LACERA), defined benefit pension. After 30 years, pension equals approximately 60–75% of final average salary.
Health insurance: Comprehensive medical, dental, vision. County covers significant portion.
Paid leave: Vacation (10–20 days), sick leave (12 days/year), 13 paid holidays.
Retiree health insurance: LA County provides health insurance for retirees, a benefit worth tens of thousands per year that most private employers don’t offer. This alone is a massive perk that people overlook.
how to apply for county of los angeles jobs
Visit governmentjobs.com/careers/lacounty, the official county of los angeles job openings portal.
Many positions require filing an application during a specific “filing period” and taking a civil service exam. county of los angeles job openings are posted when filing periods open, some are continuous, others open for limited windows.
Pro tip: Create a profile and set up email alerts for job categories that interest you. When a filing period opens, apply immediately, some close within days.
city of los angeles jobs: LAPD, LAFD, and city departments
lacity jobs overview
lacity jobs, la city jobs, and city of los angeles jobs are searched by nearly 30,000 people monthly combined (KD 2–7). The City of Los Angeles employs approximately 50,000 people, separate from LA County.
The distinction matters: LA County covers the entire county (10 million people, 88 cities). The City of LA covers just the City of Los Angeles (4 million people) but includes LAPD, LAFD, DWP, and city departments.
city of los angeles positions and pay
LAPD (Los Angeles Police Department) Officer starting: $70,000–$80,000/year After 3 years: $100,000+/year With overtime and off-duty: $120,000–$170,000+/year LAPD officers are among the highest-paid police in the nation due to LA’s cost of living adjustments.
LAFD (Los Angeles Fire Department) Firefighter starting: $65,000–$75,000/year After 5 years: $100,000+/year With overtime: $130,000–$180,000+/year LAFD firefighters regularly earn $150,000+ with overtime, among the highest-paid firefighters in the country.
LADWP (LA Department of Water and Power) The largest municipal utility in the US. Electrical workers, water system operators, and engineers. Lineworker: $40–$65/hour ($83,000–$135,000/year) Engineer: $85,000–$140,000/year Meter Reader: $22–$30/hour LADWP employees earn premium rates and have their own pension system.
Bureau of Street Services Street maintenance workers, tree trimmers, and equipment operators. $18–$35/hour.
LA Department of Recreation and Parks Park rangers, recreation coordinators, lifeguards, and maintenance. $15–$28/hour.
Administrative (all departments) Management Analyst: $55,000–$95,000/year Administrative Clerk: $35,000–$55,000/year
how to apply for la city jobs
Visit governmentjobs.com/careers/lacity or lacity.gov/jobs. la government jobs and government jobs los angeles (8,100/month, KD 3) lead to the same portal.
Civil service exams are required for most positions. File applications during open filing periods and take the required exam. Your score determines placement on the eligible list.
entertainment jobs in los angeles: hollywood and beyond
the entertainment capital of the world
LA is synonymous with entertainment. The industry employs hundreds of thousands across film, television, music, gaming, and streaming.
Major entertainment employers:
- Disney / Walt Disney Studios, Burbank. Animation, live-action film, TV, Disney+, Marvel, Lucasfilm, Pixar, ABC, ESPN West Coast. Full Disney breakdown: 60 top companies guide.
- universal studios jobs los angeles, Universal City. Film production, theme park, NBC Universal, Peacock streaming. Searched 8,100/month (KD 1).
- Warner Bros. Discovery, Burbank. Film, TV, HBO, CNN, Discovery.
- Netflix, Hollywood office. netflix los angeles jobs and netflix jobs la (1,000/month, KD 4). Engineering, content, marketing, and production.
- Paramount / Paramount+, Hollywood. Film, TV, streaming.
- Sony Pictures, Culver City. Film, TV, gaming (PlayStation).
- Amazon Studios, Culver City. Prime Video original content.
- Apple TV+, growing LA production presence.
- Lionsgate, Santa Monica. Independent film and TV.
universal studios jobs los angeles
universal studios jobs los angeles and universal studios jobs hollywood are searched by 8,100 people monthly with KD of just 1.
Theme park positions:
- Ride Operator: $17–$21/hour
- Guest Services: $17–$21/hour
- Food & Beverage: $17–$22/hour
- Retail: $17–$20/hour
- Entertainment Performer: $20–$40/hour
- Technical (audio, lighting, special effects): $22–$35/hour
Studio positions:
- Production Assistant: $18–$25/hour
- Post-production: $50,000–$90,000/year
- Marketing: $55,000–$100,000/year
- Corporate: $50,000–$120,000/year
Apply at universalstudioshollywood.com/careers and nbcunicareers.com.
entertainment industry pay ranges
Production Assistant (PA): $15–$22/hour (entry-level, the starting point for most film/TV careers) Camera Operator: $45–$75/hour (union rates) Editor: $2,500–$5,000/week (union rates) Director of Photography: $5,000–$15,000/week TV Writer (WGA): $5,000–$12,000/week (staff writer to showrunner) Actor (SAG-AFTRA): $1,000/day minimum (TV/film). Reality: most actors earn far less. VFX Artist: $60,000–$120,000/year Music Producer: Variable, $0 to millions. Median: $50,000–$100,000/year.
Here’s the thing about entertainment: it’s the highest-ceiling and lowest-floor industry in LA. A showrunner earns $5 million+ per year. Most aspiring writers earn $0. The median is surprisingly modest. But for those who break in, the upside is unlike almost any other career.
music industry jobs los angeles
music jobs los angeles and music industry jobs los angeles (1,600/month, KD 9). LA is the music capital alongside Nashville:
Record labels (UMG, Sony Music, Warner Music), publishing companies, studios (Capitol Records, EastWest Studios), concert venues (The Forum, Hollywood Bowl, Crypto.com Arena), touring companies, and artist management.
Positions: A&R, marketing, sync licensing, audio engineering, artist management, tour management, music supervision, and publishing.
tech jobs in los angeles: silicon beach
LA’s tech boom
“Silicon Beach,” the stretch from Santa Monica to Playa Vista, is home to a thriving tech scene:
Major LA tech employers:
- Google, massive Playa Vista campus (formerly the Spruce Goose hangar). Engineering, YouTube (headquartered in San Bruno but huge LA presence), and sales.
- Amazon, Studios (Culver City), AWS, advertising.
- Meta, growing LA presence for Instagram, Reality Labs.
- Snap Inc., headquarters in Santa Monica. Snapchat engineering, product, and content.
- SpaceX, headquarters in Hawthorne. Aerospace engineering.
- TikTok (ByteDance), major LA office for US content and operations.
- Riot Games, headquarters in West LA. League of Legends, Valorant.
- Hulu, headquarters in Santa Monica.
- Tinder / Match Group, West Hollywood.
data scientist jobs los angeles and data science jobs los angeles (1,600/month, KD 1). LA’s tech scene needs data scientists across entertainment analytics, gaming, adtech, and traditional tech companies.
software engineer jobs los angeles (1,600/month, KD 7): $100,000–$200,000/year. SpaceX and gaming companies (Riot, Activision Blizzard before Microsoft acquisition) are unique LA employers.
fashion jobs los angeles (1,300/month, KD 7): LA is the fashion capital of the West Coast. Fashion Nova (headquartered in LA), SHEIN US operations, and hundreds of brands.
For comprehensive tech career guidance, see our data scientist & tech careers guide.
aerospace and defense jobs in los angeles
LA has the largest concentration of aerospace and defense companies in the US:
SpaceX (Hawthorne), rocket engineers, manufacturing, mission operations. Engineers: $90,000–$180,000/year. Manufacturing: $20–$35/hour. SpaceX is famous for demanding work culture but extraordinary mission.
Northrop Grumman (Palmdale/Redondo Beach), B-21 bomber, space systems. Engineers: $85,000–$160,000/year.
Lockheed Martin (Palmdale/Burbank), Skunk Works advanced projects. Engineers: $85,000–$155,000/year.
Boeing (El Segundo/Long Beach), satellite systems, defense electronics. Engineers: $85,000–$150,000/year.
Raytheon / RTX (El Segundo), missiles, radar, defense systems. Engineers: $80,000–$145,000/year.
JPL (Jet Propulsion Laboratory), managed by Caltech for NASA. Mars rovers, deep space missions. Scientists/Engineers: $80,000–$170,000/year. JPL is in Pasadena and is one of the most prestigious employers in LA.
Aerospace engineering jobs in LA pay extremely well, and the mission, literally reaching space, attracts talent from around the world.
healthcare jobs in los angeles
major LA healthcare employers
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Beverly Hills. One of the highest-ranked hospitals in the West. RN: $80,000–$125,000/year. Physician: $200,000–$500,000+/year.
UCLA Health, Westwood. university of california los angeles jobs (18,100/month, KD 4) includes the medical center. RN: $80,000–$120,000/year. Research positions: $50,000–$110,000/year.
Kaiser Permanente, multiple LA locations. Among the best-paying healthcare employers. See our healthcare & nursing jobs guide.
Providence / Cedars-Sinai Health System, multiple hospitals across LA.
LA County DHS hospitals, LAC+USC Medical Center, Harbor-UCLA. County benefits including pension.
Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA), pediatric specialty care.
LA nurses earn among the highest salaries in the US, $80,000–$130,000/year for experienced RNs, due to cost of living and strong union representation (California Nurses Association).
la metro jobs: public transit
la metro jobs and la metro careers are searched by 5,400 people monthly with KD of just 1.
LA Metro operates buses and expanding rail lines (Red/Purple, Blue/A, Expo/E, Gold/L, Green/C, Crenshaw/K lines) across LA County.
Bus Operator: $22–$35/hour ($46,000–$73,000/year) Rail Operator: $25–$38/hour ($52,000–$79,000/year) Mechanic: $28–$42/hour ($58,000–$87,000/year) Station Agent: $20–$28/hour Engineer/Planner: $75,000–$130,000/year Administrative: $45,000–$90,000/year
LA Metro is expanding rapidly, multiple new rail lines under construction, meaning hiring will increase for years. Benefits include pension, health insurance, and free transit.
Apply at metro.net/careers.
los angeles dodgers jobs
los angeles dodgers jobs is searched by 5,400 people monthly with KD of just 1.
Game day staff: Stadium operations, ushers, concessions, security. $16–$22/hour (seasonal/event-based). Marketing and sales: $45,000–$100,000/year Operations and facilities: $35,000–$75,000/year Broadcasting and media: $40,000–$90,000/year Analytics (baseball operations): $55,000–$120,000/year Corporate partnerships: $50,000–$130,000/year
Apply at mlb.com/dodgers/careers. Most MLB team jobs are competitive. Spring training and season-start (February–April) is peak hiring.
la zoo jobs
la zoo jobs, los angeles zoo jobs (1,600/month, KD 2). The LA Zoo in Griffith Park:
Zookeeper: $35,000–$55,000/year (City employee, pension included) Guest Services: $17–$22/hour Education Coordinator: $40,000–$60,000/year Veterinary Technician: $38,000–$58,000/year Grounds/Maintenance: $18–$25/hour
LA Zoo positions are City of LA jobs, they come with city benefits including pension. Apply through lacity.gov/jobs.
amazon jobs los angeles
amazon jobs los angeles and amazon careers los angeles (1,900/month, KD 4).
Amazon warehouse/fulfillment: Multiple facilities across LA metro (Eastvale, Moreno Valley, San Bernardino, Torrance). Pay: $18–$26/hour, California minimum wage plus Amazon premium.
Amazon Studios (Culver City): Content development, production, marketing for Prime Video. Creative and corporate roles: $60,000–$200,000+.
Amazon delivery: DSP drivers across LA. $19–$27/hour.
Amazon corporate (LA office): Advertising, AWS sales, operations. $80,000–$200,000+.
Apply at amazon.jobs → filter for Los Angeles area. Full breakdown: amazon jobs guide.
port of los angeles and logistics jobs
The Port of Los Angeles + Port of Long Beach together form the busiest port complex in the Western Hemisphere. Thousands of logistics and warehousing jobs:
Longshoreman (ILWU union): $35–$55/hour ($73,000–$114,000/year). With overtime: $100,000–$200,000+/year. Among the highest-paid blue-collar jobs in America. Union entry is highly competitive.
Warehouse Worker (logistics companies): $18–$26/hour Truck Driver (port drayage): $25–$40/hour Customs Broker: $50,000–$90,000/year Logistics Coordinator: $45,000–$80,000/year Port Authority Staff: $50,000–$120,000/year
art and museum jobs los angeles
art jobs los angeles and la art jobs (3,600/month, KD 6). museum jobs los angeles and la museum jobs (2,400/month, KD 7).
Major museum employers:
- LACMA (Los Angeles County Museum of Art), curatorial, education, guest services, conservation
- The Getty (Getty Museum + Getty Research Institute), exceptionally well-funded. Conservation, research, education, administration. Getty pays well above market.
- The Broad, contemporary art museum
- MOCA (Museum of Contemporary Art), moca la jobs (1,000/month, KD 1)
- Natural History Museum of LA County, research, education, collections
- California Science Center, education and operations
Museum salaries in LA:
- Curatorial Assistant: $40,000–$60,000/year
- Curator: $60,000–$110,000/year
- Museum Educator: $40,000–$65,000/year
- Conservation Specialist: $55,000–$90,000/year
- Guest Services: $17–$22/hour
- Security: $18–$25/hour
cost of living in los angeles
LA is expensive, but not as extreme as San Francisco:
Average rent (2026):
- West LA / Santa Monica 1-bedroom: $2,500–$3,800/month
- Hollywood / Silver Lake: $2,000–$3,000/month
- Downtown LA (DTLA): $2,000–$3,200/month
- Koreatown / Mid-Wilshire: $1,800–$2,600/month
- Valley (Sherman Oaks, Burbank): $1,800–$2,500/month
- Long Beach: $1,600–$2,300/month
- East LA / South LA: $1,200–$1,800/month
For comparison:
- San Francisco: $3,000–$4,500 (30–50% more)
- NYC Manhattan: $3,800–$5,500 (50–80% more)
- Chicago: $1,600–$2,500 (20–30% less)
- Houston: $1,200–$2,000 (40–50% less)
California has state income tax (up to 13.3% for highest earners), which reduces take-home pay compared to Texas or Florida. Factor this into salary comparisons.
Use zipscore.trendnovaworld.org for detailed LA cost-of-living comparisons.
where to find all los angeles jobs
Dev Global Jobs aggregates 881,000+ verified job listings across 190+ countries, including thousands of Los Angeles positions. Updated every 30 minutes. 100% free. No login required.
Part of the Trend Nova World ecosystem:
salary.trendnovaworld.org — LA salary benchmarking across industries
zipscore.trendnovaworld.org — LA neighborhood cost-of-living data
CareerNest.cloud — career development resources
WorldCareersHub.com — global career insights
voice search Q&A
What are the best jobs in Los Angeles? Entertainment industry for creatives, aerospace engineering at SpaceX and JPL, county and city government for stability and pension, healthcare at Cedars-Sinai and UCLA Health, and tech at Google, Snap, and Riot Games for high salaries.
How do I apply for county of los angeles jobs? Visit governmentjobs.com/careers/lacounty. Create a profile and apply during open filing periods. Many positions require civil service exams. Set up email alerts for job categories you want.
How much do LAPD officers make? LAPD officers start at $70,000 to $80,000 per year. After 3 years officers earn $100,000+. With overtime and off-duty work many earn $120,000 to $170,000 or more annually plus pension.
Are there SpaceX jobs in Los Angeles? Yes. SpaceX is headquartered in Hawthorne near LAX. Positions include rocket engineers at $90,000 to $180,000, manufacturing technicians at $20 to $35 per hour, and mission operations staff.
What is Silicon Beach? Silicon Beach is the tech hub stretching from Santa Monica to Playa Vista in Los Angeles. Major companies include Google, Snap, Hulu, TikTok, and Riot Games. Tech salaries range from $100,000 to $200,000+.
frequently asked questions
what are county of los angeles jobs?
county of los angeles jobs span 37 departments including sheriff, fire, health services, social services, public works, and courts. Over 110,000 employees. Pay ranges from $35,000 for entry-level to $150,000+ for senior positions. Pension and retiree health insurance included. Apply at governmentjobs.com/careers/lacounty.
how do I find la city jobs?
Visit governmentjobs.com/careers/lacity or lacity.gov/jobs. City of Los Angeles employs approximately 50,000 people across LAPD, LAFD, DWP, parks, and administration. Civil service exams required for most positions.
what are universal studios jobs in los angeles?
universal studios jobs los angeles include theme park positions at $17–$22/hour (rides, food, retail, entertainment) and studio positions in production, marketing, and corporate. Apply at universalstudioshollywood.com/careers and nbcunicareers.com.
are there entertainment jobs in los angeles?
Yes, LA is the entertainment capital of the world. Disney, Universal, Warner Bros, Netflix, Amazon Studios, Paramount, and Sony all have major LA operations. Entry-level production assistants earn $15–$22/hour. Senior creatives earn $200,000+.
what do la metro jobs pay?
la metro bus operators earn $46,000–$73,000/year. Rail operators $52,000–$79,000/year. Mechanics $58,000–$87,000/year. Benefits include pension, health insurance, and free transit. Metro is expanding with new rail lines meaning increased hiring.
how much do nurses make in los angeles?
LA nurses earn $80,000–$130,000/year, among the highest in the US. Cedars-Sinai, UCLA Health, Kaiser Permanente, and Providence are top employers. Strong union representation through California Nurses Association.
what are aerospace jobs in los angeles?
SpaceX (Hawthorne), Northrop Grumman (Palmdale), Boeing (El Segundo), Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and JPL (Pasadena) employ thousands of engineers at $80,000–$180,000/year. LA has the largest aerospace concentration in the US.
where can I find all los angeles jobs?
Dev Global Jobs has 881,000+ verified listings across 190+ countries including thousands of Los Angeles positions. Free, no login required, updated every 30 minutes.
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