Compensation and Benefits Managers in California. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
Salary distribution
Where California compensation and benefits managers fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $127,420 and $217,510, with a median of $166,730.
Compensation and Benefits Managers in California: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 7 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $177,831. Every figure below is an actual offered salary an employer attested to under federal law.
By DOL wage level
DOL classifies every offer into one of four wage levels based on the role's experience and skill requirements.
| Level | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|
| Level I — entry | 1 | $107,870 |
| Level II — qualified | 4 | $167,637 |
| Level IV — fully competent | 1 | $227,032 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Compensation and Benefits Managers in California. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| ByteDance Inc. | Performance & Incentives Business Partner | 2 | $165,193 |
| Apple Inc. | Compensation Manager | 1 | $178,900 |
| Gilead Sciences, Inc. | Director, Incentive Compensation | 1 | $227,032 |
| Google LLC | Compensation Specialist | 1 | $137,000 |
| Okta, Inc. | Manager, Accounting | 1 | $156,374 |
| ServiceNow, Inc. | Compensation Program Manager | 1 | $177,831 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Manager, Accounting at Okta, Inc.$156,374San FranciscoWage Level IIDecided Jul 25, 2025I-200-25199-185435
- Performance and Incentives Global Projects Lead at ByteDance Inc.$222,516San JoseWage Level IIDecided May 29, 2025I-200-25142-005230
- Compensation Program Manager at ServiceNow, Inc.$177,831San FranciscoDecided May 15, 2025I-200-25128-956496
- Compensation Manager at Apple Inc.$178,900CupertinoWage Level IIDecided Mar 28, 2025I-203-25080-794898
- Director, Incentive Compensation at Gilead Sciences, Inc.$227,032Foster CityWage Level IVDecided Mar 25, 2025I-200-25077-785243
- Compensation Specialist at Google LLC$137,000IrvineWage Level IIDecided Mar 12, 2025I-200-25064-745728
- Performance & Incentives Business Partner at ByteDance Inc.$107,870Culver CityWage Level IDecided May 29, 2025I-200-25142-005223
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification. Disclosed wages reflect what employers attested to pay; actual paid wages may differ. Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.
Where do you stand?
Get an instant percentile reading. Anonymous, no signup.
Aggregate unlocks once 5 readers have shared a salary for this role and state.
Compensation and Benefits Managers pay by experience level in California
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Compensation and Benefits Managers in California, by industry
Median offered wage across 7 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Technology and software leads with a median of $156,374.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technology and software | ByteDance Inc. | 5 | $156,374 |
| Manufacturing | Apple Inc. | 1 | $178,900 |
| Professional services | Gilead Sciences, Inc. | 1 | $227,032 |
Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in California over the past 3 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2025 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
5 years or more
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.3 / 5
Personnel and Human Resources
Knowledge
- 4.1 / 5
English Language
Knowledge
- 4.0 / 5
Writing
Basic skill
- 4.0 / 5
Active Listening
Basic skill
- 4.0 / 5
Reading Comprehension
Basic skill
- 4.0 / 5
Administration and Management
Knowledge
- 4.0 / 5
Speaking
Basic skill
- 4.0 / 5
Oral Comprehension
Ability
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Direct preparation and distribution of written and verbal information to inform employees of benefits, compensation, and personnel policies.
- 02
Design, evaluate, and modify benefits policies to ensure that programs are current, competitive, and in compliance with legal requirements.
- 03
Fulfill all reporting requirements of all relevant government rules and regulations, including the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA).
- 04
Analyze compensation policies, government regulations, and prevailing wage rates to develop competitive compensation plan.
- 05
Identify and implement benefits to increase the quality of life for employees by working with brokers and researching benefits issues.
- 06
Manage the design and development of tools to assist employees in benefits selection, and to guide managers through compensation decisions.
- 07
Mediate between benefits providers and employees, such as by assisting in handling employees' benefits-related questions or taking suggestions.
- 08
Administer, direct, and review employee benefit programs, including the integration of benefit programs following mergers and acquisitions.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
0.0%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Slower than average
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
Sponsored
Build the skills employers list for Compensation and Benefits Managers
Online courses from licensed providers. We may earn a commission when you enroll. The commission does not influence our rankings or wage data.
Explore coursesTop metros in California
Metro-level salary data for compensation and benefits managers in major California metropolitan areas.
- San Jose$215,180
- San Francisco$188,850
- San Diego$160,970
- Sacramento$159,450
- Los Angeles$155,380
- Riverside$132,700
Compare Compensation and Benefits Managers pay across nearby states
Considering a move? Compare California with another state
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Compensation and Benefits Managers in California?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Compensation and Benefits Managers in California is $166,730.
- How does California compare to the national median for Compensation and Benefits Managers?
- The California median is +11.0% versus the BLS national figure of $150,180.
- What is the salary range for Compensation and Benefits Managers in California?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $105,840 and the 90th-percentile at $289,910, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Compensation and Benefits Managers a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment flat by 0.0% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Compensation and Benefits Managers?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.