Training for Health Care Jobs in California: Opportunities for Workers without a Four-Year Degree
October 2025
Key Takeaways
California’s health care sector is the largest and fastest growing in terms of employment. Many health care occupations do not require a four-year degree. They offer opportunities to those with some college for well-paying jobs that are available across most regions. In this report we provide an overview of the economic returns from community college health training programs and current information on enrollments across different programs and providers. It can help guide policy decisions and strategies for broader access to health careers with potential to increase economic mobility. We find:
Intensive health training programs that result in associate degrees offer high economic returns. Registered nursing, dental hygienist, and a few allied tech programs nearly double earnings levels in the six years after people finish their degree. These occupations have wage levels well above average across most regions of the state. →
Mid-length health programs resulting in certificates that take one to two years to complete—such as licensed vocational nursing and psychiatric technicians—can also lead to better-paying jobs. However, job opportunities and wage levels vary across regions. →
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