How much does a compensation make in California?
$91,410a year
Median yearly pay for compensations in California. That is $43.95 an hour or $7,618 a month.
- Hourly
- $43.95
- Vs. national median
- +17%
- Rank among states
- 4 of 50
- Jobs in the state
- 13,430
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $60,070Median: $91,410Highest 10%: $150,200
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $60,070 | $28.88 | |
| 25th | $73,790 | $35.48 | |
| Median | $91,410 | $43.95 | |
| 75th | $117,200 | $56.37 | |
| 90th | $150,200 | $72.20 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| San Jose, CA | $133,700 |
| San Francisco, CA | $102,800 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $97,310 |
| Napa, CA | $95,530 |
| Salinas, CA | $90,450 |
| San Diego, CA | $90,070 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $89,590 |
| Sacramento, CA | $87,910 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $87,570 |
| Modesto, CA | $81,650 |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $79,480 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $78,940 |
| Riverside, CA | $78,920 |
| Vallejo, CA | $78,030 |
| Stockton, CA | $76,990 |
| Visalia, CA | $75,760 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $75,350 |
| Fresno, CA | $73,320 |
| Chico, CA | $70,400 |
| Oxnard, CA | $65,050 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for compensations.
| 1. Delaware | $99,560 |
| 2. Massachusetts | $95,890 |
| 3. Colorado | $92,560 |
| 4. California | $91,410 |
| 5. District of Columbia | $86,710 |
| 6. Washington | $86,630 |
| 7. New Jersey | $85,040 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a compensation make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $43.95 ($91,410 a year).
Do compensations make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $91,410 against $78,210 nationally, 17% more.
Where does California rank for compensation pay?
California ranks 4 of 50 states.
Which city in California pays compensations the most?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, with a median of $133,700 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.