How much does a compensation and benefits manager make in California?
$166,700a year
Median yearly pay for compensation and benefits managers in California. That is $80.16 an hour or $13,890 a month.
- Hourly
- $80.16
- Vs. national median
- +12%
- Rank among states
- 6 of 45
- Jobs in the state
- 2,970
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $105,800Median: $166,700Highest 10%: $289,900
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $105,800 | $50.88 | |
| 25th | $127,400 | $61.26 | |
| Median | $166,700 | $80.16 | |
| 75th | $217,500 | $104.57 | |
| 90th | $289,900 | $139.38 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| San Jose, CA | $215,200 |
| San Francisco, CA | $188,900 |
| San Diego, CA | $161,000 |
| Sacramento, CA | $159,500 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $155,400 |
| Oxnard, CA | $143,000 |
| Riverside, CA | $132,700 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for compensation and benefits managers.
| 3. Massachusetts | $184,100 |
| 4. New York | $175,600 |
| 5. New Jersey | $168,400 |
| 6. California | $166,700 |
| 7. Delaware | $166,100 |
| 8. Colorado | $165,800 |
| 9. Minnesota | $163,400 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a compensation and benefits manager make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $80.16 ($166,700 a year).
Do compensation and benefits managers make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $166,700 against $149,200 nationally, 12% more.
Where does California rank for compensation and benefits manager pay?
California ranks 6 of 45 states.
Which city in California pays compensation and benefits managers the most?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, with a median of $215,200 a year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.