Compensation and Benefits Specialists Pay Range in California
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$60,070
- 25th Percentile — Junior$73,790
- 50th Percentile — Median$91,410
- 75th Percentile — Senior$117,240
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$150,180
Half of Compensation and Benefits Specialists in California earn more than $91,410. The top 10% make $150,180 or more, while entry-level workers start around $60,070.
Compensation and Benefits Specialists in California: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- California ranks 4th of 50 states for Compensation and Benefits Specialists pay, at $98,480 per year (16.8% above the U.S. average of $84,330).
- 13,430 people work as Compensation and Benefits Specialists in California — 12.0% of all U.S. Compensation and Benefits Specialists jobs.
- Location quotient 1.02: Compensation and Benefits Specialists jobs are more concentrated in California than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $60,070; the top 10% earn over $150,180.
- Hourly equivalent: $47.35 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Massachusetts at $104,470.
- Among business jobs in California, Personal Financial Advisors pays the most ($170,070).
Compensation and Benefits Specialists Job Market in California
Key factors affecting compensation
California's key industries are Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. Compensation and Benefits Specialists here earn $98,480 on average, placing the state 4th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.42 (U.S. = 1.00), a California salary of $98,480 is roughly equivalent to $69,352 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Massachusetts ($104,470), Delaware ($100,230), Colorado ($99,510) are the closest alternatives for Compensation and Benefits Specialists weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Business Jobs in California
Related career salary benchmarks
- Personal Financial Advisors $170,070/yr California +72.7% vs this role
- Financial and Investment Analysts $125,070/yr California +27.0% vs this role
- Project Management Specialists $124,430/yr California +26.4% vs this role
- Financial Examiners $118,710/yr California +20.5% vs this role
- Management Analysts $115,720/yr California +17.5% vs this role
- Credit Analysts $113,670/yr California +15.4% vs this role
- Market Research Analysts $108,120/yr California +9.8% vs this role
- Budget Analysts $105,890/yr California +7.5% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Compensation and Benefits Specialists salary in California?
The average Compensation and Benefits Specialists salary in California is $98,480 per year (median $91,410), which is 16.8% above the national average of $84,330.
How does California rank for Compensation and Benefits Specialists pay?
California ranks 4th out of 50 states. The highest-paying state is Massachusetts ($104,470/yr).
How much do entry-level Compensation and Benefits Specialists make in California?
The lowest-paid 10% of Compensation and Benefits Specialists in California earn about $60,070 per year and the 25th percentile is $73,790.
How much do Compensation and Benefits Specialists make per hour in California?
About $47.35 per hour, based on the $98,480 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Compensation and Benefits Specialists work in California?
BLS counts 13,430 Compensation and Benefits Specialists jobs in California (OEWS May 2025).
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