Telemarketer salary in California
Telemarketers in California earn a median of $46,000 a year ($22.12 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,880 workers.
Pay ranges from $34,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,400 for the top 10%. That is 30% higher than the national median of $35,450. California ranks 3rd of 41 states for telemarketers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.21 telemarketers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.57). The average (mean) salary is $47,160, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for telemarketers in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,320 | $16.50 |
| 25th percentile | $37,290 | $17.93 |
| Median | $46,000 | $22.12 |
| 75th percentile | $56,910 | $27.36 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,400 | $29.04 |
| Average (mean) | $47,160 | $22.67 |
Half of telemarketers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,833.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,916.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,769.23 |
| Weekly | $884.62 |
| Hourly | $22.12 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Telemarketer salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $45,710 | 160 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $44,900 | 80 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $44,770 | 260 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $43,740 | 130 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $42,450 | 1,550 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $39,970 | 340 |
| Fresno, CA | $38,470 | 50 |
Highest-paying states for telemarketers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Kansas | $48,010 |
| Colorado | $47,670 |
| California | $46,000 |
| Connecticut | $45,200 |
| Massachusetts | $44,650 |
| Oregon | $42,060 |
| New York | $41,400 |
| Minnesota | $39,850 |
| Washington | $39,670 |
| Idaho | $39,400 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Sales and Related Workers, All Other | $52,810 | $25.39 |
| Demonstrators and Product Promoters | $46,220 | $22.22 |
| Real Estate Sales Agent | $57,560 | $27.68 |
| Real Estate Broker | $80,450 | $38.68 |
| Sales Engineer | $139,160 | $66.90 |
| Model | $57,400 | $27.60 |
| Door-to-Door Sales Workers, News and Street Vendors, and Related Workers | $39,520 | $19.00 |
| Retail Salesperson | $38,440 | $18.48 |
| Cashier | $37,100 | $17.84 |
| Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel | $80,850 | $38.87 |
| Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products | $76,490 | $36.78 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers | $54,870 | $26.38 |
| Counter and Rental Clerks | $45,010 | $21.64 |
| Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents | $79,730 | $38.33 |
More: Sales and Related Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 41-9041. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a telemarketer make in California?
The median salary for telemarketers in California is $46,000 a year, or $22.12 an hour. Pay ranges from $34,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,400 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid telemarketers make in California?
The top 10% of telemarketers in California earn at least $60,400 a year. The top 25% earn $56,910 or more.
What is the starting pay for telemarketers in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $34,320 a year, and a quarter of telemarketers earn $37,290 or less.
How many telemarketers work in California?
About 3,880 telemarketers are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.