$934,901 / year
Salary Range: $709,862 - $1,195,129
Executive
$934,901 / year
Salary Range: $709,862 - $1,195,129
Executive
$512,208 / year
Salary Range: $450,564 - $591,240
Medical
$419,304 / year
Salary Range: $328,378 - $531,759
Investments
$419,304 / year
Salary Range: $328,378 - $531,759
Investments
$374,208 / year
Salary Range: $310,064 - $452,615
Risk Management
$344,056 / year
Salary Range: $305,670 - $395,004
Legal
$335,303 / year
Salary Range: $294,579 - $381,982
Technology Leadership
$324,156 / year
Salary Range: $260,815 - $390,199
Staff
$296,134 / year
Salary Range: $261,882 - $335,246
Legal
$279,832 / year
Salary Range: $236,396 - $325,697
Finance
$273,585 / year
Salary Range: $230,789 - $321,170
Compliance
| Competitor / Benchmark | Avg. Salary | Variance | Primary Market Influence Factor & Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orange County Auditor-Controller | $121,998 |
+1.0%
|
Suggests Orange County Auditor-Controller utilizes a highly similar base-plus-benefits compensation model. |
| baltimorecountymd.gov/Agencies/police | $117,294 |
-2.9%
|
Confirms baltimorecountymd.gov/Agencies/police is a direct competitor vying for the exact same talent pool. |
| Department of Health | $114,140 |
-5.5%
|
Department of Health likely leverages performance bonuses over the high base salary shown here. |
| New York City Department of Finance | $129,002 |
+6.8%
|
Supported by New York City Department of Finance's high-margin contracts allowing higher overhead. |
| Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit Industry | $115,341 |
-4.5%
|
Pay variances are driven by organizational scale, specialized skill requirements, or geographic cost-of-living factors. |
$121,998 / year
Salary Range: $106,489 - $139,876
Santa Ana, CA
$117,294 / year
Salary Range: $102,357 - $134,523
Towson, MD
$114,140 / year
Salary Range: $99,608 - $130,914
Tumwater, WA
$129,002 / year
Salary Range: $112,638 - $147,851
New York City, NY
$108,803 / year
Salary Range: $95,035 - $124,646
Annapolis, MD
$122,409 / year
Salary Range: $106,874 - $140,327
Washington, DC
$93,856 / year
Salary Range: $81,977 - $107,526
Charleston, WV
$107,474 / year
Salary Range: $93,844 - $123,183
Olympia, WA
$99,309 / year
Salary Range: $86,715 - $113,830
Wilkes Barre, PA
Get an estimated calculation of how much you should be earning and insight into your career options.
| Expense Category | Estimated Monthly Cost | Key Considerations / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Housing (1-BR Apt Rent) | $1,500 - $2,200+ | A significant portion of CalPERS salary. Location choices impact this heavily. |
| Utilities (Basic) | $170 - $280 | Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water etc. |
| Public Transportation | $100 (SacRT monthly pass) | Essential for most commuters; car ownership is costly. |
| Groceries (Single Person) | $420 - $620 | Can be higher with more dining out or specialty stores. |
| Personal & Leisure | $350 - $700+ | Dining out, entertainment, shopping. Highly variable. |
| Healthcare (Individual) | $360 - $680+ | Varies significantly by plan & employer contribution. |
| Subtotal (Excluding Taxes) | $2,800 - $4,480+ | This subtotal does not include income taxes (federal, state, local), which can significantly impact your take-home pay. |
CalPERS pays its employees an average of $120,775 per year. The average salary at CalPERS range from $105,399 to $138,523 per year. It's important to remember that these are overall averages, actual salaries vary significantly based on specific job titles, years of experience, skills and location.
The salary at CalPERS is lesser than its peer company. The average annual salary at CalPERS is $120,775, or an hourly wage of $58, in comparison to Orange County Auditor-Controller which pays $121,998 per year or $59 per hour.
The higher-paying job at CalPERS, according to our data, include Chief Executive Officer (avg. $934,901 per year), Division Chief (avg. $934,901 per year), and Chief Medical Officer (avg. $512,208 per year). Pay for these roles reflects significant responsibility, specialized skills and experience.
Salary progression with years of experience at CalPERS is typical. Generally, as employees gain more relevant experience, develop more skills, and take on greater responsibilities, their earning potential increases. For example, a role with 5-7 years of experience will usually pay more than the same role requiring 0-2 years.
Yes, it's very likely that salaries at CalPERS vary by office location. Companies often adjust pay based on local market rates, cost of living, and talent competition in different geographic areas. For instance, a role in a high-cost city like New York City may offer a higher nominal salary than the same role in a lower-cost city like Omaha, NE. Our Cost of Living Insights for Sacramento section provides more context.
CalPERS typically offers a comprehensive benefits package that adds significant value to an employee's total compensation. Common benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan often with a company match, paid time off. For example, a strong 401(k) match or excellent, low-cost health insurance can be worth thousands of dollars annually, effectively increasing your overall earnings beyond your base salary. For a more detailed list of benefits, please see our "Employee Benefits at CalPERS" section on this page.
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