City Town Info

Chico Employment

Employment and Industries in the Chico, California Area

Chico is the economic center of the Northern Sacramento Valley. Much of Chico's economy is powered by the California State University, Chico. Agriculture is also a significant part of the economy. Almonds, rice, olives, kiwis, peaches and plums are the major crops. The major employers are the government, education, social services, arts and entertainment, recreation, healthcare and accommodation and food service. About 26% of the workforce are sales and office workers and about 15% are employed by the government.

The most popular occupations in Chico in which the majority of the workers have a college degree are registered nurses, teachers, wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives, accountants and auditors, social and human service assistants and financial managers. Jobs which are more prevalent in Chico than most of the nation's other cities are brewery machine operators, tile and marble setters, education administrators, pest control workers, farm workers, office and administrative support personnel and protective service workers.

Noteworthy data about Chico: In 2007 the estimated median household income was $36,000. The cost of living index in 2008 was 106.2. The national average is 100. For the population over the age of 25, about 33% have a bachelor's degree or higher. The daytime population expands by about 23% due to people commuting from the surrounding area for work.

The top 10 manufacturing employers in Chico are:

  • Sierra Nevada Brewery
  • Koret of California
  • SunGard Public Sector
  • Aero Union
  • Sunset Moulding Company
  • Smucker Quality Beverages
  • Lundberg Family Farms
  • Norfield Industries
  • JG Brattan
  • Wrex Products

The top 10 non-manufacturing employers in Chico are:

  • Enloe Medical Center
  • Butte County
  • California State University, Chico
  • Chico Unified School District
  • Tri Counties Bank
  • Butte-Glenn Community College District
  • Lifetouch National School Studios
  • City of Chico
  • Feather Falls Casino
  • Employment Development Department

Business organizations offering assistance to Chico companies:

The Chico Enterprise-Record provides up-to-date information about the business activities in Chico.

Most Popular Jobs in Chico, California Metro Area (2008 data)

Where the Majority of Workers Have College Degrees

RankTitleLocal JobsLocal Mean SalaryTypical Local SalaryNational Growth % 2006-2016National % With College Degree
1Registered nurses1,64080,290$58,210 - 105,97024%56%
2Elementary school teachers, except special education1,03060,760$38,480 - 88,77014%95%
3Social and human service assistants37026,250$20,360 - 36,91034%58%
4Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products33044,260$21,420 - 75,5308%51%
5Accountants and auditors25057,480$37,800 - 85,08018%79%
6Financial managers25082,080$37,180 - 136,55013%60%
7Educational, vocational, and school counselors24061,040$40,070 - 98,51013%73%
8Child, family, and school social workers22043,670$29,060 - 54,32019%77%
9Lawyers210124,600$74,140 - 11%99%
10Sales managers20078,930$43,980 - 125,52010%69%
11Management analysts16054,960$29,630 - 78,23022%78%
12Middle school teachers, except special and vocational education16059,810$44,540 - 80,77011%95%
13Medical and health services managers16086,290$50,110 - 120,82016%57%
14Education administrators, elementary and secondary school14099,040$69,210 - 134,7008%78%
15Civil engineers13070,210$43,700 - 102,04018%87%
16Physical therapists12083,990$59,890 - 108,67027%89%
17Pharmacists120124,510$109,070 - 154,52022%97%
18Advertising sales agents12049,160$25,880 - 78,03020%56%
19Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors110 $ - 34%73%
20Education, training, and library workers, all other10035,180$20,960 - 61,41011%79%
21Managers, all other10081,950$39,260 - 127,7107%55%
22Speech-language pathologists10083,890$66,150 - 114,82011%98%
23Physician assistants10080,920$36,160 - 124,38027%67%
24Medical and clinical laboratory technologists9075,030$66,900 - 86,92012%51%
25Computer systems analysts9080,080$50,390 - 124,13029%68%
26Chief executives90144,580$80,330 - 2%65%
27Network and computer systems administrators8058,880$36,700 - 83,44027%50%
28Social and community service managers7084,420$44,720 - 134,30025%72%
29Occupational therapists7084,640$68,000 - 103,48023%90%
30Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents70107,100$30,830 - 25%67%
31Compliance officers, except agriculture, construction, health and safety, and transportation7054,750$30,470 - 89,4005%58%
32Public relations specialists7029,720$17,930 - 47,38018%81%
33Clinical, counseling, and school psychologists7080,680$50,990 - 122,07016%99%
34Engineers, all other6069,650$51,420 - 99,0006%82%
35Training and development specialists6048,920$29,370 - 65,54018%56%
36Medical and clinical laboratory technicians6028,760$21,840 - 37,28015%51%
37Graphic designers6034,930$23,790 - 49,76010%55%
38Budget analysts6064,990$30,160 - 96,8907%78%
39Sales and related workers, all other6035,200$23,900 - 50,59014%62%
40Education administrators, preschool and child care center/program5034,570$21,800 - 46,81024%78%
41Librarians5075,090$46,610 - 111,0504%85%
42Health educators5040,630$27,070 - 54,72026%58%
43Computer software engineers, applications5092,010$54,980 - 135,53045%85%
44Network systems and data communications analysts5064,060$25,820 - 98,01053%57%
45Medical and public health social workers5047,780$24,810 - 68,46024%77%
46Environmental scientists and specialists, including health4060,340$37,360 - 89,07025%93%
47Computer programmers4056,780$34,800 - 90,1000%73%
48Dietitians and nutritionists4061,390$52,020 - 77,6109%72%
49Financial specialists, all other4061,140$29,870 - 95,78012%50%
50Market research analysts4043,900$27,910 - 65,22020%82%
51Computer and information systems managers4097,190$64,860 - 150,59016%73%
52Personal financial advisors4069,990$37,650 - 122,08041%81%
53Computer software engineers, systems software4093,190$43,220 - 152,67028%85%
54Surveyors4053,400$39,980 - 66,47024%82%
55Employment, recruitment, and placement specialists4050,410$29,990 - 81,92018%56%
56Special education teachers, secondary school4063,500$43,390 - 85,4309%87%
57Special education teachers, middle school3056,890$43,560 - 80,46016%87%
58Writers and authors3035,940$19,030 - 65,64013%84%
59Legislators3039,960$26,830 - 58,7501%65%
60Marketing managers30103,380$66,470 - 14%69%
61Engineering managers30101,990$53,470 - 7%84%
62Merchandise displayers and window trimmers3027,910$20,860 - 35,88011%55%
63Urban and regional planners3066,450$46,310 - 96,97015%92%

Where the Majority of Workers Do Not Have College Degrees

RankTitleLocal JobsLocal Mean SalaryTypical Local SalaryNational Growth % 2006-2016National % With College Degree
1Retail salespersons3,07024,190$16,920 - 36,60012%25%
2Office clerks, general2,26027,320$17,960 - 38,72013%19%
3Cashiers2,05023,340$16,640 - 37,350-2%10%
4Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food1,74019,220$16,640 - 22,94018%5%
5Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants1,21022,800$17,600 - 30,59018%7%
6Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks1,06032,860$21,210 - 46,74013%16%
7General and operations managers1,05086,180$39,380 - 143,4202%48%
8Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop1,02018,460$16,700 - 20,10010%8%
9Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand1,00023,300$17,440 - 31,4902%5%
10Waiters and waitresses99020,140$16,660 - 34,07011%14%
11Teacher assistants98025,520$16,840 - 33,72010%18%
12Stock clerks and order fillers94022,930$16,740 - 32,670-7%8%
13Business operations specialists, all other93051,000$18,530 - 86,05021%49%
14First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers90043,610$28,470 - 62,9206%29%
15Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners89023,850$17,300 - 34,34015%4%
16Executive secretaries and administrative assistants84035,670$25,380 - 50,44015%18%
17First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers81038,020$23,150 - 59,6104%25%
18Construction laborers79034,680$22,600 - 49,17011%5%
19Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses77044,860$35,100 - 55,82014%7%
20Medical secretaries77026,540$18,470 - 35,70017%18%
21Cooks, fast food67017,740$16,640 - 19,7608%5%
22Personal and home care aides65019,740$17,150 - 24,45051%10%
23Customer service representatives64029,510$18,260 - 48,09025%22%
24Home health aides62020,410$17,300 - 25,64049%7%
25Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer61035,930$24,160 - 48,63010%4%
26Landscaping and groundskeeping workers57025,900$18,140 - 38,18018%6%
27Medical assistants56028,480$21,830 - 37,52035%10%
28Maintenance and repair workers, general55032,270$19,000 - 49,77010%6%
29Food preparation workers53020,440$16,860 - 26,23015%7%
30Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive51028,710$19,610 - 41,5401%18%
31Receptionists and information clerks51023,650$18,390 - 30,27017%13%
32First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers48027,690$18,750 - 39,90011%14%
33Cooks, restaurant47022,480$17,430 - 30,58012%5%
34Maids and housekeeping cleaners43019,160$16,700 - 23,33013%5%
35Counter and rental clerks43022,220$17,100 - 30,35023%16%
36Dishwashers42017,800$16,640 - 19,75010%3%
37Automotive service technicians and mechanics41036,600$25,160 - 55,36014%4%
38Carpenters40040,650$22,600 - 69,14010%6%
39Recreation workers40022,710$16,960 - 33,33013%47%
40Packers and packagers, hand38019,430$16,940 - 21,620-11%3%
41Tellers36023,720$18,100 - 31,88014%16%
42Truck drivers, light or delivery services35033,400$17,850 - 60,0608%4%
43Dental assistants33027,640$19,650 - 34,08029%9%
44Preschool teachers, except special education33021,060$17,080 - 25,39026%43%
45Insurance claims and policy processing clerks32032,850$23,390 - 46,0400%22%
46Fitness trainers and aerobics instructors31035,040$17,430 - 62,82027%47%
47Police and sheriff's patrol officers30067,430$49,620 - 92,69011%33%
48Fire fighters30037,600$18,630 - 64,24012%18%
49Farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse29020,580$17,260 - 26,710-2%4%
50Security guards29022,490$17,430 - 30,80017%13%
51Eligibility interviewers, government programs27036,450$28,190 - 47,5903%38%
52Billing and posting clerks and machine operators27027,960$19,860 - 37,8004%15%
53Child care workers26021,120$17,330 - 26,64018%15%
54Pharmacy technicians25036,180$28,070 - 46,30032%16%
55Data entry keyers24023,030$16,640 - 31,130-4%18%
56Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop24017,760$16,640 - 19,58010%17%
57Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks24030,380$18,630 - 48,6704%6%
58Sales representatives, services, all other23053,080$24,870 - 103,62028%48%
59Cooks, institution and cafeteria23024,340$18,390 - 31,22011%5%
60Amusement and recreation attendants23019,060$16,690 - 22,30024%22%
61Electricians22052,410$34,730 - 79,5007%7%
62Computer support specialists22040,600$23,370 - 57,06013%43%
63Postal service mail carriers220 1%11%
64Bartenders21018,440$16,640 - 20,61011%17%
65Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers21017,850$16,670 - 19,53012%6%
66Interviewers, except eligibility and loan20028,860$21,810 - 40,26010%24%
67Property, real estate, and community association managers20027,800$17,490 - 53,73015%36%
68Agricultural workers, all other19036,310$23,130 - 47,9800%4%
69First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers19054,360$32,340 - 81,1107%13%
70Food service managers19040,800$33,170 - 50,6905%24%
71Bill and account collectors18028,970$20,850 - 38,34023%13%
72Telecommunications line installers and repairers18062,310$53,170 - 79,0005%8%
73Industrial truck and tractor operators18034,500$20,570 - 48,690-1%2%
74Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks17020,570$17,220 - 24,68017%14%
75First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers17052,250$26,080 - 96,470-4%15%
76Loan officers17057,860$32,270 - 89,76012%49%
77First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers17063,120$44,660 - 90,0409%10%
78Cleaners of vehicles and equipment16020,360$17,190 - 24,90014%3%
79Insurance sales agents16048,080$28,180 - 79,19013%45%
80Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters15047,150$33,370 - 64,51011%4%
81Legal secretaries15046,710$28,430 - 66,64012%18%
82Cement masons and concrete finishers15040,220$21,370 - 61,19011%2%
83Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators15047,860$34,890 - 64,7208%3%
84Pest control workers14024,260$18,720 - 31,53016%9%
85Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers14034,980$23,440 - 69,9405%2%
86Healthcare support workers, all other13030,420$18,080 - 47,59016%10%
87Installation, maintenance, and repair workers, all other13034,450$21,770 - 61,1908%9%
88Radiologic technologists and technicians13056,790$44,070 - 76,01015%25%
89Order clerks13025,710$16,640 - 36,860-23%16%
90Team assemblers13022,830$17,130 - 32,8700%5%
91First-line supervisors/managers of personal service workers12033,140$23,450 - 47,04016%26%
92Kindergarten teachers, except special education12058,280$38,210 - 82,91016%43%
93Laundry and dry-cleaning workers12019,730$16,640 - 24,88010%5%
94Cooks, short order12021,130$17,200 - 26,7605%5%
95File clerks12021,930$17,190 - 32,770-40%20%
96Graders and sorters, agricultural products12019,590$17,120 - 24,290-1%0%
97Payroll and timekeeping clerks12040,640$25,900 - 62,7903%18%
98Assemblers and fabricators, all other12026,410$18,010 - 37,440-8%5%
99Painters, construction and maintenance11036,100$26,000 - 43,02012%6%
100Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders11020,520$16,640 - 28,370-4%5%
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Jobs More Common Near Chico Than Most Other Cities

* Average job popularity for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal JobsPop. vs. Avg.*
Agricultural workers, all other36,310190370.9
Photographic process workers22,03011017.6
Graders and sorters, agricultural products19,59012013.4
Eligibility interviewers, government programs36,4502707.3
Pest control workers24,2601404.9
Woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawing24,3001104.4
Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop18,4601,0204.1
Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers22,5101103.6
Medical secretaries26,5407703.5
Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors 1103.4
Recreation workers22,7104003.1
Physician assistants80,9201003.1
Personal and home care aides19,7406503.1
Education, training, and library workers, all other35,1801002.9
Protective service workers, all other40,5301002.9
Insurance claims and policy processing clerks32,8503202.9
Fitness trainers and aerobics instructors35,0403102.8
Tire repairers and changers26,0101102.8
Cooks, fast food17,7406702.7
Property, real estate, and community association managers27,8002002.6
Fire fighters37,6003002.5
Farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse20,5802902.5
Social and human service assistants26,2503702.5
Telecommunications line installers and repairers62,3101802.4
Medical assistants28,4805602.4
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses44,8607702.4
Dental assistants27,6403302.3
Cabinetmakers and bench carpenters25,7901102.2
Educational, vocational, and school counselors61,0402402.2
Installation, maintenance, and repair workers, all other34,4501302.1
Butchers and meat cutters36,9101102.1
Amusement and recreation attendants19,0602302.1
Food service managers40,8001902
Counter and rental clerks22,2204302
Roofers41,3701102
Speech-language pathologists83,8901002
Interviewers, except eligibility and loan28,8602002
First-line supervisors/managers of personal service workers33,1401202
Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants22,8001,2101.9
Business operations specialists, all other51,0009301.8
Child, family, and school social workers43,6702201.8
Data entry keyers23,0302401.8
Preschool teachers, except special education21,0603301.8
Teacher assistants25,5209801.8
Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks20,5701701.7
Cooks, short order21,1301201.7
Dishwashers17,8004201.7
Construction laborers34,6807901.7
Office clerks, general27,3202,2601.6
Pharmacy technicians36,1802501.6

Work Paying Relatively Well in the Chico, California Metro Area (2008 data)

* Average Salary Index for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalarySalary Index *Local Jobs
Police and sheriff's patrol officers67,4301.39300
Telecommunications line installers and repairers62,3101.36180
Registered nurses80,2901.31,640
Legal secretaries46,7101.3150
Pharmacy technicians36,1801.29250
Cashiers23,3401.262,050
Kindergarten teachers, except special education58,2801.23120
Butchers and meat cutters36,9101.23110
Elementary school teachers, except special education60,7601.221,030
Lawyers124,6001.22210
Payroll and timekeeping clerks40,6401.21120
Education administrators, elementary and secondary school99,0401.21140
Middle school teachers, except special and vocational education59,8101.19160
Pharmacists124,5101.19120
Educational, vocational, and school counselors61,0401.18240
Roofers41,3701.17110
Fitness trainers and aerobics instructors35,0401.16310
Agricultural workers, all other36,3101.16190
Truck drivers, light or delivery services33,4001.15350
Industrial truck and tractor operators34,5001.15180
Teacher assistants25,5201.15980
Physical therapists83,9901.15120
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses44,8601.13770
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators47,8601.12150
Electricians52,4101.12220
Construction laborers34,6801.12790
Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food19,2201.121,740
Radiologic technologists and technicians56,7901.11130
Tire repairers and changers26,0101.1110
Child care workers21,1201.1260
Cement masons and concrete finishers40,2201.09150
First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers63,1201.09170
Waiters and waitresses20,1401.08990
Child, family, and school social workers43,6701.07220
Office clerks, general27,3201.072,260
Landscaping and groundskeeping workers25,9001.07570
Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks30,3801.07240
Food preparation workers20,4401.06530
Cooks, short order21,1301.06120
Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks20,5701.06170
Painters, construction and maintenance36,1001.05110
Advertising sales agents49,1601.05120
Healthcare support workers, all other30,4201.04130
Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners23,8501.04890
Carpenters40,6501.04400
Cooks, restaurant22,4801.04470
Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop18,4601.031,020
Dishwashers17,8001.03420
Amusement and recreation attendants19,0601.03230
Cooks, institution and cafeteria24,3401.03230

Highest Paying Jobs in Chico, California Metro Area (2008 data)

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
Family and general practitioners177,09050
Physicians and surgeons, all other155,850100
Chief executives144,58090
Lawyers124,600210
Pharmacists124,510120
Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents107,10070
Marketing managers103,38030
Engineering managers101,99030
Construction managers101,400100
Education administrators, elementary and secondary school99,040140
Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products98,490 
Computer and information systems managers97,19040
Computer software engineers, systems software93,19040
Computer software engineers, applications92,01050
Administrative services managers91,43080
Dental hygienists91,100 
Medical and health services managers86,290160
General and operations managers86,1801,050
First-line supervisors/managers of police and detectives85,68050
Occupational therapists84,64070
Social and community service managers84,42070
Physical therapists83,990120
Speech-language pathologists83,890100
Financial managers82,080250
Managers, all other81,950100
Physician assistants80,920100
Clinical, counseling, and school psychologists80,68070
Registered nurses80,2901,640
Computer systems analysts80,08090
Sales managers78,930200
Massage therapists76,980 
Librarians75,09050
Medical and clinical laboratory technologists75,03090
Industrial production managers74,19030
Excavating and loading machine and dragline operators73,44040
Civil engineers70,210130
Personal financial advisors69,99040
Engineers, all other69,65060
Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators68,43070
Police and sheriff's patrol officers67,430300
Urban and regional planners66,45030
Budget analysts64,99060
Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education64,370 
Network systems and data communications analysts64,06050
First-line supervisors/managers of fire fighting and prevention workers64,00070
Special education teachers, secondary school63,50040
Special education teachers, preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school63,300 
First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers63,120170
Telecommunications line installers and repairers62,310180
Dietitians and nutritionists61,39040

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