Where is California FIRST located?

California FIRST is headquartered in Oakland, California, but may have operations in other locations within the Media sector.

What does California FIRST do?

According to the company's overview, California FIRST is a company that operates in the Newspapers industry.

What industry is California FIRST in?

California FIRST operates in the Media industry.

California FIRST Hourly Pay Rate & Wages

California FIRST Salary

Yearly Salary Hourly Rate Monthly Salary Weekly Salary

Find Out My True Value Get Salary AI Insights

Salary at California FIRST

Current Job Openings at California FIRST

Ready for your next career move? Explore current job openings at California FIRST. Use the search tool below to find available positions by title and location and apply directly to start your career.

Is California FIRST’s Pay Competitive? Salary Benchmarking Analysis

How does California FIRST's compensation stack up against the industry and its key competitors? Our salary benchmarking analysis provides a clear comparison. The chart below visualizes this comparison alongside select peer companies.

Competitor / Benchmark	Avg. Salary	Variance	Primary Market Influence Factor & Explanation
Mount Vernon News	$43	-18.9%	Mount Vernon News likely leverages performance bonuses over the high base salary shown here.
Missoula Independent	$36	-32.0%	Missoula Independent may offer non-monetary perks in lieu of competitive base salaries.
LeVar Burton Kids	$50	-7.0%	Typical compensation structure for smaller regional agencies like LeVar Burton Kids.
Chattanooga Paperboard Corp	$40	-25.9%	Chattanooga Paperboard Corp focuses strategically on recruiting and training entry-level apprentices.
Media Industry	$61	+13.1%	Pay variances are driven by organizational scale, specialized skill requirements, or geographic cost-of-living factors.

Need More Granular Data? The analysis above provides a high-level market overview. To benchmark specific job codes, adjust for real-time cost-of-living changes, or access verified HR-reported datasets, upgrade to Salary.com for Business. Precision matters when building your compensation strategy.

Companies Similar to California FIRST and Their Hourly Pay Rates

Explore companies in the same industry to compare average salaries, benefits, and career opportunities with those at California FIRST. Click a company name to learn more.

Mount Vernon News

$43 / hour

Salary Range: $38 - $49

Mount Vernon, OH

Missoula Independent

$36 / hour

Salary Range: $32 - $41

Missoula, MT

LeVar Burton Kids

$50 / hour

Salary Range: $44 - $56

Burbank, CA

Chattanooga Paperboard Corp

$40 / hour

Salary Range: $35 - $45

Chattanooga, TN

Lawrence Journal - World

$43 / hour

Salary Range: $38 - $49

Lawrence, KS

Meridian Magazine

$51 / hour

Salary Range: $45 - $57

Kensington, MD

Winn Parish Journal

$39 / hour

Salary Range: $35 - $45

Winnfield, LA

Rockville Community Newspaper

$48 / hour

Salary Range: $42 - $54

Vernon Rockville, CT

Health News

$51 / hour

Salary Range: $45 - $57

Staten Island, NY

Employee Reviews: Working at California FIRST

Considering a career at California FIRST? Explore authentic employee reviews to learn about the work environment, career growth opportunities, pay transparency and benefits. These first-hand insights can help you set realistic compensation expectations and make informed career decisions.

Our legal team is a creative partner, not a roadblock. Leadership is transparent and open, actively encouraging employee input and engagement. There are ample opportunities for career advancement, mentorship, and continuous learning. Career advancement requires patience and often depends on seniority.

Commented in May 12, 2025

32

1

Employees feel recognized through regular appreciation programs and constructive feedback. Some managers provide more than others. Training is prioritized, and mentorship is readily available.

Commented in April 28, 2025

46

0

Our brand is powerful and opens doors. My manager is a fantastic leader who acts as both a coach and an advocate. The inclusive culture values diverse perspectives and promotes teamwork.

Commented in September 10, 2024

50

2

The company empowers us to pursue passion projects. Creative input is welcomed, though not always implemented. It makes even the most challenging days feel exciting and worthwhile. The workload fluctuates depending on project cycles, and expectations are generally reasonable. Management is approachable, though follow-through can be inconsistent. The company's commitment to innovation means we're a...

Commented in May 11, 2024

27

1

Employees feel engaged, supported, and valued. This healthy culture prevents creative burnout and fosters a more sustainable, happy, and productive workforce for the long term. Management is transparent and encourages continuous growth through education and hands-on opportunities. Constant learning opportunities across departments.

Commented in January 03, 2024

31

1

What Benefits Does California FIRST Offer Beyond Salary?

A competitive compensation package is more than just a salary. California FIRST offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, financial future, and overall well-being. Below are the most common key benefits:

Social Security

401(K)

Disability

Healthcare

Pension

Time Off (days)

Work at California FIRST?

Share your experience

How Much Should You Be Earning?

Get an estimated calculation of how much you should be earning and insight into your career options.

Get estimated pay range See more details

What Is the Cost of Living Near Oakland?

Understanding the cost of living near Oakland is key to truly evaluating a salary offer or your current compensation at California FIRST.

Oakland's Cost of Living Index is approximately 174.4 (74.4% more expensive than US average; 24.7% more than CA average). Major Bay Area city, extremely high housing costs, significant gentrification, high overall expenses. BART hub. When planning your budget based on a salary from California FIRST, consider these typical monthly expenses:

Expense Category	Estimated Monthly Cost	Key Considerations / Notes
Housing (1-BR Apt Rent)	$2,400 - $3,500+	A significant portion of California FIRST salary. Location choices impact this heavily.
Utilities (Basic)	$190 - $300	Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water etc.
Public Transportation	$90 (AC Transit/BART varies)	Essential for most commuters; car ownership is costly.
Groceries (Single Person)	$490 - $730	Can be higher with more dining out or specialty stores.
Personal & Leisure	$500 - $900+	Dining out, entertainment, shopping. Highly variable.
Healthcare (Individual)	$420 - $790+	Varies significantly by plan & employer contribution.
Subtotal (Excluding Taxes)	$4,090 - $6,220+	This subtotal does not include income taxes (federal, state, local), which can significantly impact your take-home pay.

FAQs of California FIRST

1. How much does California FIRST in the United States pay?

California FIRST pays its employees an average of $53 per hour. The average salary at California FIRST range from $47 to $60 per hour. 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.

2. Do California FIRST employees get a higher salary than its peer company?

The salary at California FIRST is higher than its peer company. The average annual salary at California FIRST is $110,954, or an hourly wage of $53, in comparison to Mount Vernon News which pays $90,027 per year or $43 per hour.

3. How much does salary increase with years of experience at California FIRST?

Salary progression with years of experience at California FIRST 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.

4. Do salaries at California FIRST vary by office location?

Yes, it's very likely that salaries at California FIRST 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 Oakland section provides more context.

5. Does California FIRST offer good benefits?

California FIRST 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 California FIRST" section on this page.