California historically attracts well-educated workers from other states, even though a recession (or Dust Bowl) can sometimes shake that pattern.
About one-third of California's U.S.-born workforce are natives of another state. On average, these transplants make about 35 percent more per year than native California workers, census figures show.
Highly-skilled workers are often more able to find jobs away from their home states, and possess the economic means for a move.
In general, transplants born in states with high average incomes tend to make the most money here. Lagging behind are transplants from the South, and transplants who didn't have to move very far to become Californians.
This map shows the average earnings of full-time, year-round California workers by the state of their birth.
Average earnings of full-time, year-round California workers by state of birth
Source: U.S. Census Bureau -- 2008-2010 American Community Survey Public Use Microdata Sample.
Notes: Map shows Californians between ages 18 and 64 who work at least 30 hours a week and 40 weeks a year. Census earnings figures are "top-coded" at roughly $470,000, which affects the top 0.35% of earners and slightly depresses the overall averages.
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