Top Industries in California - Livability (2024)

Agriculture, tourism, technology are major economic contributors.

By Kevin Litwin on April 8, 2018

If California was its own country, it would have the sixth largest economy in the world (larger than countries like Mexico, Spain, Canada, South Korea and Saudi Arabia), and some top industries inCaliforniaare agriculture, education, finance, government, healthcare, manufacturing, technology, transportation and utilities. Here is some background on some top industries in this beautiful state:A freewheeling, fun-loving lifestyle is often associated with the state of California, nicknamed The Golden State and featuring a diverse geography that ranges from the Mojave Desert and Pacific Ocean to redwood trees and the Sierra Nevada mountains.

In This Article

Agriculture

The Central Valley in the center of California is a major agriculture region, and it helps The Golden State yield more crops and farm-based goods than any other U.S. state. Some of the main food items produced are asparagus, grapes, lettuce, oranges, rice, shelled almonds, tomatoes and milk and cream.

Tourism

There are so many tourism sites in California that it’s nearly impossible to list them all, but the state is running a TV commercial throughout 2017 called “Living the Dream†that showcases some of the most popular tourism destinations. Those hotspots include Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Disneyland, Napa Valley, Pebble Beach, Lake Tahoe, San Francisco, Yosemite, Venice Beach and Laguna Beach – and so forth and so forth.

California’s Top Employers

Technology

In the northern part of California is Silicon Valley, which employs about 250,000 people in the information technology sector. Many of the world’s largest high-tech companies are headquartered in Silicon Valley, including 40 of the Fortune 1000 corporations.

Education

Many top-notch colleges and universities are in California, including 112 community colleges. Some of the more famous four-year public institutions are UCLA and the University of California, while well-known private institutions include Stanford and the University of Southern California.

Forestry

Forests cover more than 45 percent of the land in California, and only the state of Alaska contains more forestland. Researchers point out that the California White Mountains contain some of the oldest trees in the world, including a bristlecone pine tree more than 5,000 years old.

Top 10 Things to Do in California

Pro Sports

A total of 20 professional sports teams are based in California, which is much more than any other state. Some of the more famous franchises are the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants in Major League Baseball; the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors in the NBA; the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Ram in the NFL; and the San Jose Sharks and Anaheim Ducks in the NHL.

Airports and Seaports

The sixth busiest airport in the world is Los Angeles International Airport, and the 23rd busiest is San Francisco International Airport. Meanwhile, tons of cargo freight are loaded and unloaded each day at major seaports at Los Angeles, Long Beach, Oakland and Stockton.

Top Industries in California - Livability (2024)

FAQs

What are the top 3 major industries in California? ›

California Industry Sectors

The state's three largest industry sectors in terms of GDP – finance and insurance; trade, transportation, and utilities; and professional and business services – also provide a foundation to other industry sectors, including manufacturing and information.

Which of the following sectors dominates California's economy? ›

Government is California's largest industry, like most states, with about 2.5 million employees.

Why does CA dominate the industry? ›

Embracing advancements in technology, sustainable practices, and fostering a business-friendly environment are key factors that will shape its economic trajectory. California's ascension to the ranks of the world's largest economies stands as a testament to its resilience, innovation, and diverse economic landscape.

What are the top 5 industries in California? ›

The 7 Biggest Industries in California
  • Agriculture. According to 2022 statistics, California's farms and ranches received $55.9 billions for their output. ...
  • Film and Television. ...
  • Travel and Tourism. ...
  • Tech. ...
  • Service. ...
  • Healthcare. ...
  • Construction.
Jan 19, 2024

What are the three main industries? ›

The 3 major types of industries are primary industry, secondary industry and tertiary industry.

What is California's biggest industry? ›

Its biggest industries are finance and real estate, information and related technologies, professional services, government services, and health care and related services. What are Berkeley California's major industries?

What is the most important industry in California? ›

However, the biggest industries in California are agriculture, film industry, and services sector (including tourism).

What is the richest company in California? ›

In 2021, Apple was the largest publicly traded company in California based on revenue. That year, they had a revenue of 365.82 billion U.S. dollars. Alphabet, Chevron, Wells Fargo and Meta rounded out the top five publicly traded companies in California.

Who is California biggest employer? ›

Detailed List Of The 100 Biggest Companies In California
RankCompanyEmployees
1Allied Universal800,000
2Kaiser Permanente304,220
3Wells Fargo Capital II274,300
4Wells Fargo268,531
75 more rows
Mar 19, 2024

Why is California's economy so strong? ›

Gov. Gavin Newsom's office points to the booming renewable energy industry, job creation, falling unemployment rates, and growing market values for companies as factors that are driving California's economic growth.

Is California still the 5th largest economy in the world? ›

California remains the 5th largest economy in the world since 2017.

What are the main industries in California? ›

The state's economy also houses large industries relating to finance, education, and business services. California's top five sectors are rooted in information, finance, education, government services, and business services. The state has an abundance of natural resources like fertile farmland and mining minerals.

What is the 3 largest farming industry items in California? ›

Dairy Products, Milk — $10.40 billion. Grapes — $5.54 billion. Cattle and Calves — $3.63 billion.

What is California's biggest business? ›

In 2021, Apple was the largest publicly traded company in California based on revenue. That year, they had a revenue of 365.82 billion U.S. dollars. Alphabet, Chevron, Wells Fargo and Meta rounded out the top five publicly traded companies in California.

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