California Median
$166,730
per year
Hourly Rate
$80.16
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+12% vs US median
US median $149,230
State Rank
#6 of 45
2,970 employed here
How much do Compensation and Benefits Managers make in California?
Compensation and Benefits Managers in California take home a median of $166,730 annually — roughly $80.16 an hour — which runs 12% above the national median of $149,230.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $105,840 while the top 10% make $289,910 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $127,420 and $217,510 a year.
Compensation and Benefits Managers salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $105,840 | $50.88 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $127,420 | $61.26 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $166,730 | $80.16 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $217,510 | $104.57 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $289,910 | $139.38 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 6th out of 45 states and territories for Compensation and Benefits Managers pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Compensation and Benefits Managers salary in other states
Washington $199,190Connecticut $197,970Massachusetts $184,070New York $175,620New Jersey $168,370Delaware $166,070Colorado $165,770Minnesota $163,390Georgia $163,060Oregon $161,470District of Columbia $160,990Virginia $153,660Illinois $151,730Michigan $151,620Rhode Island $149,340Ohio $141,920Maryland $139,860Pennsylvania $139,040New Hampshire $136,950Texas $136,930North Carolina $135,240Tennessee $132,780Utah $132,620Arizona $129,890Maine $129,690Florida $127,960Wisconsin $127,920New Mexico $124,390Alaska $122,490Nebraska $121,630Alabama $118,470Iowa $118,250Indiana $118,180Nevada $115,180Kentucky $114,290Kansas $114,070Hawaii $110,120Oklahoma $107,760Missouri $106,490Arkansas $100,810Louisiana $99,840South Carolina $99,630Idaho $90,020Mississippi $89,250
Working as Compensation and Benefits Managers in California
Nationally, about 23,000 people work as Compensation and Benefits Managers in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($166,730) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Compensation and Benefits Managers make in California?
The median Compensation and Benefits Managers salary in California is $166,730 per year, or about $80.16 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $105,840 at the entry level to $289,910 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Compensation and Benefits Managers about 12% more than the national median of $149,230. California ranks 6th out of 45 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Compensation and Benefits Managers?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $166,730 a year. About 2,970 Compensation and Benefits Managers are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Compensation and Benefits Managers salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.