Compensation and Benefits Managers salary in California
Compensation and Benefits Managers in California earn a median of $166,730 a year ($80.16 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,970 workers.
Pay ranges from $105,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $289,910 for the top 10%. That is 12% higher than the national median of $149,230. California ranks 6th of 45 states for compensation and benefits managers pay. There are 0.16 compensation and benefits managers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $180,130, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for compensation and benefits managers in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $105,840 | $50.89 |
| 25th percentile | $127,420 | $61.26 |
| Median | $166,730 | $80.16 |
| 75th percentile | $217,510 | $104.57 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $289,910 | $139.38 |
| Average (mean) | $180,130 | $86.60 |
Half of compensation and benefits managers 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 | $13,894.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,947.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,412.69 |
| Weekly | $3,206.35 |
| Hourly | $80.16 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
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Compensation and Benefits Managers salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $215,180 | 320 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $188,850 | 590 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $160,970 | 240 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $159,450 | 140 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $155,380 | 1,030 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $142,950 | 30 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $132,700 | 130 |
Highest-paying states for compensation and benefits managers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $199,190 |
| Connecticut | $197,970 |
| Massachusetts | $184,070 |
| New York | $175,620 |
| New Jersey | $168,370 |
| California | $166,730 |
| Delaware | $166,070 |
| Colorado | $165,770 |
| Minnesota | $163,390 |
| Georgia | $163,060 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | $218,290 | $104.95 |
| Financial Manager | $180,770 | $86.91 |
| Administrative Services Manager | $108,890 | $52.35 |
| Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers | $123,780 | $59.51 |
| Human Resources Manager | $170,080 | $81.77 |
| Industrial Production Manager | $132,620 | $63.76 |
| Facilities Manager | $118,620 | $57.03 |
| Purchasing Manager | $159,830 | $76.84 |
| Training and Development Managers | $156,260 | $75.13 |
| General and Operations Managers | $124,390 | $59.81 |
| Sales Manager | $134,910 | $64.86 |
| Managers, All Other | $174,560 | $83.92 |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $141,480 | $68.02 |
| Marketing Manager | $193,620 | $93.09 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 11-3111. 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 compensation and benefits managers make in California?
The median salary for compensation and benefits managers in California is $166,730 a year, or $80.16 an hour. Pay ranges from $105,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $289,910 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid compensation and benefits managers make in California?
The top 10% of compensation and benefits managers in California earn at least $289,910 a year. The top 25% earn $217,510 or more.
What is the starting pay for compensation and benefits managers in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $105,840 a year, and a quarter of compensation and benefits managers earn $127,420 or less.
How many compensation and benefits managers work in California?
About 2,970 compensation and benefits managers are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.