Riverside Employment

Employment and Industries in the Riverside, California Area

Riverside is the largest city in the Inland Empire and has a long tradition in agriculture. However, government, manufacturing, education and retail are currently major elements of the economy. Riverside also has the most jobs and businesses of all the cities in the region. Affordable land and housing has been attracting employees and skilled professionals to Riverside. The increase in skilled professionals has increased the Inland Empire's amount of high-tech, corporate and professional jobs.

Riverside is a prominent finance center for the region and is home to numerous brokerages, architecture, accounting, software, legal, banks and engineering firms. Also, Riverside is home to a large number of trucking companies.

Riverside has been attracting new technology companies by developing high-tech industrial parks such as the Riverside Regional Technology Park which includes the participation of the University of California at Riverside. Companies such as Bourns Engineering, Centrum Analytical labs, I/O Software and Luminex Software have selected Riverside for their new headquarters. Riverside has also attracted a large number of industrial companies to the city. Manufacturing jobs in Riverside are provided in areas such as electrical instruments, glass, plastics, recreational vehicles, food processing, wood, and imaging equipment.

The major non-agricultural sectors for jobs in Riverside are:

  • Trade, transportation and utilities
  • Government
  • Professional and business services
  • Manufacturing
  • Construction
  • Healthcare
  • Education
  • Leisure and hospitality
  • Finance

Some of the popular jobs in Riverside which are primarily filled by those with a college degree are teachers, registered nurses, wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives, accountants and auditors, sales managers, financial managers, management analysts, civil engineers and social and human service assistants. Some of the jobs which are more prevalent in Riverside than most cities include, Terrazzo workers and finishers, forest and conservation technicians, fiberglass laminators and fabricators, stone masons, plasterers and stucco masons and tile and marble setters.

Riverside offers incentives to bring in new companies and help existing businesses grow. The incentives include local and state Enterprise Zones, industrial development bond financing, redevelopment incentives and employment hiring and training programs. Riverside also offers the Recycled Market Development Zone which provides financial incentives for businesses that utilize recycling in their manufacturing processes.

Notable information regarding Riverside: Included in Money Magazine's best places to live list. In 2008 the cost of living index was 130.8 which is high when compared to the national average of 100. For the population over the age of 25, about 19% have a bachelor's degree or higher.

The primary employers in Riverside are shown below:

  • University of California at Riverside
  • Riverside Unified School District
  • City of Riverside
  • Kaiser Permanente
  • Pacific Bell
  • Alvord Unified School District
  • The Press Enterprise Co
  • Riverside Community Hospital
  • DHL
  • Riverside City Council
  • Riverside Forklift Training

Some of the business organizations which provide assistance to Riverside companies are:

The Press-Enterprise offers up-to-date information regarding the business activities in the Riverside area.

Jobs in Riverside

RankTitleTotal EmployeesLocal Mean Salary (Per Year)Local Mean Salary (Per hour)National Growth % 2014-2024
1All Occupations1538400$50,700$24.37100
2Transportation and Material Moving Occupations207620$37,350$17.966.7
3Office and Administrative Support Occupations183810$42,320$20.3513.75
4Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations156380$28,570$13.738.7
5Sales and Related Occupations154620$40,050$19.269.5
6Educational Instruction and Library Occupations104940$67,290$32.356
7Healthcare Support Occupations88130$30,890$14.852.85
8Construction and Extraction Occupations82200$55,990$26.924.6
9Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations81960$98,320$47.275.85
10Production Occupations79110$38,910$18.715.6
11Management Occupations66840$113,610$54.626.35
12Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations59480$50,920$24.483.75
13Home Health and Personal Care Aides55890$26,830$12.90
14Business and Financial Operations Occupations55700$69,580$33.455.35
15Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand54500$33,390$16.051.8
16Stockers and Order Fillers49850$31,890$15.331.25
17Fast Food and Counter Workers48750$27,580$13.262.45
18Cashiers48570$28,390$13.652.2
19Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations46370$34,370$16.523.6
20Retail Salespersons44880$32,360$15.562.7
21Protective Service Occupations40900$55,500$26.692.2
22Personal Care and Service Occupations35260$33,060$15.894.65
23Registered Nurses29780$105,570$50.751.95
24Office Clerks, General27440$37,520$18.041.9
25Community and Social Service Occupations26900$58,580$28.161.75
26Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers25300$49,770$23.931.2
27Waiters and Waitresses23430$28,310$13.611.65
28Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners19130$34,890$16.771.5
29Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive19080$41,890$20.141.4
30General and Operations Managers18590$117,900$56.681.5
31Security Guards18170$31,180$14.990.7
32Customer Service Representatives17930$39,430$18.961.75
33Computer and Mathematical Occupations17860$83,640$40.213
34Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators16290$37,490$18.020.4
35Carpenters15440$53,150$25.550.6
36Architecture and Engineering Occupations15410$88,060$42.341.7
37Substitute Teachers, Short-Term15400$39,050$18.770.4
38Cooks, Fast Food15140$26,190$12.590.3
39First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers14840$59,670$28.690.95
40Cooks, Restaurant14510$28,850$13.870.9
41Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers14380$32,170$15.460.75
42Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks13780$44,810$21.541.05
43Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products13360$68,460$32.910.85
44Packers and Packagers, Hand13320$27,660$13.30.4
45Light Truck Drivers13020$42,980$20.660.6
46Maintenance and Repair Workers, General12720$43,820$21.070.9
47Project Management Specialists and Business Operations Specialists, All Other12250$69,130$33.240.7
48First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers12020$48,140$23.150.95
49Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations11590$56,680$27.251.8
50Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators11460$30,720$14.770.8
51Construction Laborers11420$48,850$23.490.9
52Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks10850$37,540$18.050.4
53Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations10000$83,210$400.8
54First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers9900$37,460$18.010.6
55Food Preparation Workers9600$28,440$13.670.5
56Medical Assistants9550$34,920$16.790.45
57Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics9480$45,430$21.840.5
58Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel8830$59,830$28.760.7
59Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners8660$29,810$14.330.9
60Receptionists and Information Clerks8370$31,710$15.240.7
61First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors8310$57,810$27.790.3
62Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers8280$25,710$12.360.3
63Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants8160$38,640$18.580.4
64Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations7690$27,520$13.230.65
65Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses7560$58,520$28.130.5
66Electricians7530$53,080$25.520.45
67Nursing Assistants7360$34,220$16.450.95
68Dishwashers7280$25,580$12.30.3
69Counter and Rental Clerks7180$36,670$17.630.3
70First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers6670$70,090$33.70.4
71Childcare Workers6310$29,730$14.290.7
72Accountants and Auditors6100$73,530$35.350.9
73Dental Assistants6050$37,560$18.060.2
74Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse5910$25,250$12.140.3
75Sales Managers5880$116,550$56.030.3
76Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment5800$28,530$13.710.3
77Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers5630$101,510$48.80.4
78Legal Occupations5620$115,410$55.490.8
79Bartenders5450$27,850$13.390.4
80Driver/Sales Workers5350$36,690$17.640.3
81Passenger Vehicle Drivers, Except Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity5320$38,990$18.750.3
82Correctional Officers and Jailers5280$79,330$38.140.25
83Human Resources Specialists4930$65,250$31.370.4
84Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders4850$32,700$15.720.2
85Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks4810$49,480$23.790.2
86Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers4730$41,040$19.730.35
87Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters4640$57,000$27.40.3
88Financial Managers4590$125,650$60.410.4
89First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers4550$66,710$32.070.4
90Medical Dosimetrists, Medical Records Specialists, and Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other4550$48,420$23.280
91Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers4530$60,850$29.260.1
92Social and Human Service Assistants4490$42,630$20.490.3
93Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop4360$26,120$12.560.3
94Office and Administrative Support Workers, All Other4360$34,620$16.640.1
95Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers4310$57,900$27.840.1
96First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers4180$75,920$36.50.3
97Management Analysts4170$79,410$38.180.55
98Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators4020$77,550$37.280.25
99Pharmacy Technicians3950$40,630$19.530.3
100Billing and Posting Clerks3940$37,870$18.210.3
Source: 2019 Occupational Employment Statistics and 2018-28 Employment Projections, Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS.gov
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Additional Details

Riverside Colleges
Riverside colleges and trade schools.

Jobs More Common Near Riverside Than Most Other Cities

* Average job popularity for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
All Occupations$50,7001,538,400
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations$37,350207,620
Office and Administrative Support Occupations$42,320183,810
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations$28,570156,380
Sales and Related Occupations$40,050154,620
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations$67,290104,940
Healthcare Support Occupations$30,89088,130
Construction and Extraction Occupations$55,99082,200
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations$98,32081,960
Production Occupations$38,91079,110
Management Occupations$113,61066,840
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations$50,92059,480
Home Health and Personal Care Aides$26,83055,890
Business and Financial Operations Occupations$69,58055,700
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$33,39054,500
Stockers and Order Fillers$31,89049,850
Fast Food and Counter Workers$27,58048,750
Cashiers$28,39048,570
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations$34,37046,370
Retail Salespersons$32,36044,880
Protective Service Occupations$55,50040,900
Personal Care and Service Occupations$33,06035,260
Registered Nurses$105,57029,780
Office Clerks, General$37,52027,440
Community and Social Service Occupations$58,58026,900
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$49,77025,300
Waiters and Waitresses$28,31023,430
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$34,89019,130
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$41,89019,080
General and Operations Managers$117,90018,590
Security Guards$31,18018,170
Customer Service Representatives$39,43017,930
Computer and Mathematical Occupations$83,64017,860
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators$37,49016,290
Carpenters$53,15015,440
Architecture and Engineering Occupations$88,06015,410
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term$39,05015,400
Cooks, Fast Food$26,19015,140
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$59,67014,840
Cooks, Restaurant$28,85014,510
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers$32,17014,380
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$44,81013,780
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$68,46013,360
Packers and Packagers, Hand$27,66013,320
Light Truck Drivers$42,98013,020
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$43,82012,720
Project Management Specialists and Business Operations Specialists, All Other$69,13012,250
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$48,14012,020
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations$56,68011,590
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$30,72011,460

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

* Average Salary Index for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
All Occupations$50,7001,538,400
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations$37,350207,620
Office and Administrative Support Occupations$42,320183,810
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations$28,570156,380
Sales and Related Occupations$40,050154,620
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations$67,290104,940
Healthcare Support Occupations$30,89088,130
Construction and Extraction Occupations$55,99082,200
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations$98,32081,960
Production Occupations$38,91079,110
Management Occupations$113,61066,840
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations$50,92059,480
Home Health and Personal Care Aides$26,83055,890
Business and Financial Operations Occupations$69,58055,700
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$33,39054,500
Stockers and Order Fillers$31,89049,850
Fast Food and Counter Workers$27,58048,750
Cashiers$28,39048,570
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations$34,37046,370
Retail Salespersons$32,36044,880
Protective Service Occupations$55,50040,900
Personal Care and Service Occupations$33,06035,260
Registered Nurses$105,57029,780
Office Clerks, General$37,52027,440
Community and Social Service Occupations$58,58026,900
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$49,77025,300
Waiters and Waitresses$28,31023,430
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$34,89019,130
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$41,89019,080
General and Operations Managers$117,90018,590
Security Guards$31,18018,170
Customer Service Representatives$39,43017,930
Computer and Mathematical Occupations$83,64017,860
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators$37,49016,290
Carpenters$53,15015,440
Architecture and Engineering Occupations$88,06015,410
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term$39,05015,400
Cooks, Fast Food$26,19015,140
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$59,67014,840
Cooks, Restaurant$28,85014,510
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers$32,17014,380
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$44,81013,780
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$68,46013,360
Packers and Packagers, Hand$27,66013,320
Light Truck Drivers$42,98013,020
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$43,82012,720
Project Management Specialists and Business Operations Specialists, All Other$69,13012,250
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$48,14012,020
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations$56,68011,590
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$30,72011,460

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