Know your market value with insights across roles — from individual contributors to executive pay and overall company compensation trends.
Access a suite of powerful calculators to make data-driven career decisions.
Automate pay cycles, manage job architectures, and ensure pay equity with AI-powered compensation platforms.
Access validated salary benchmarks, labor market trends, and minimum wage data to stay competitive.
Participate in and purchase industry-specific salary surveys to obtain the most accurate, peer-reported pay data.
As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Compensation Specialist I in California is $73,200 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $35.
However, a Compensation Specialist I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2026 Compensation Trend
AI Onboarding
Smart Recruiting
Compensation Specialist I Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $84,200 | $7,017 | $1,619 | $40 |
| Average | $73,200 | $6,100 | $1,408 | $35 |
| 25th Percentile | $68,800 | $5,733 | $1,323 | $33 |
FLAG Solutions LLC - Pico Rivera, CA
Zynex Medical - Los Angeles, CA
Liberty Mutual Insurance - Bakersfield, CA
CCMSI - Irvine, CA
A Compensation Specialist I's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Compensation Specialist I's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Compensation Specialist I | 0-2 years | $73,179 |
| Compensation Specialist II | 2-4 years | $87,350 |
| Compensation Specialist III | 4-7 years | $114,576 |
| Compensation Specialist IV | 7+ years | $139,126 |
| Compensation Team Leader | 7+ years | $133,409 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Compensation Specialist Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
Compensation Specialist I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $81,943. While startup companies pay approximate $69,322.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $69,322 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $73,316 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $79,131 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $81,943 |
For Compensation Specialist I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 55% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Internet and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Compensation Specialist positions in Media or Energy & Utilities typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Compensation Specialist I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internet | $95,160 | $46.0 | 30% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $91,500 | $44.0 | 25% |
| Healthcare | $87,840 | $42.0 | 20% |
| Financial Services | $84,180 | $40.0 | 15% |
| Chemicals | $80,520 | $39.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a Compensation Specialist I's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $84,200 | $7,017 | $1,619 | $40 |
| Average | $73,200 | $6,100 | $1,408 | $35 |
| 25th Percentile | $68,800 | $5,733 | $1,323 | $33 |
Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Compensation Specialist I, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.
| Next Step Role | Estimate Salary | Projected Raise |
|---|---|---|
| Intermediate Stock Plan Administrator | $86,900 | 19% |
| Compensation Specialist II | $87,400 | 19% |
| Intermediate Executive Compensation Analyst | $94,800 | 30% |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Compensation Specialist I job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
CCMSI
Irvine, CA
CCMSI | Irvine, CA
Workers' Compensation Claim SpecialistThe Workers' Compensation Claim Specialist is responsible for the investigation, evaluation, and adjustment of Califo... more
6 Days Ago
Liberty Mutual Insurance Group
Long Beach, CA
Liberty Mutual Insurance Group | Long Beach, CA
Workers Compensation Claims SpecialistAre you looking for an opportunity to join a fast-growing company that consistently outpaces the industry in year-ove... more
6 Days Ago
EDF Renewable Energy
San Diego, CA
EDF Renewable Energy | San Diego, CA
Scope Of PositionEDF power solutions North America has been providing clean energy solutions throughout the U.S., Canada, and Mexico since 1987. We are a m... more
6 Days Ago
Mastagni Holstedt, A.P.C.
SACRAMENTO, CA
Mastagni Holstedt, A.P.C. | SACRAMENTO, CA
We’re Growing Our Team—And We Need Your Help. Mastagni Holstedt, A.P.C. is actively seeking a qualified attorney to join its Workers’ Compensation practice... more
1 Month Ago
DOMINGO ELIAS & VU APLC
IRVINE, CA
DOMINGO ELIAS & VU APLC | IRVINE, CA
Overview. We believe great attorneys do their best work when they have the autonomy, support, and flexibility to focus on delivering outstanding results fo... more
7 Days Ago
DOMINGO ELIAS & VU APLC
SAN BERNARDINO, CA
DOMINGO ELIAS & VU APLC | SAN BERNARDINO, CA
Overview. We believe great attorneys do their best work when they have the autonomy, support, and flexibility to focus on delivering outstanding results fo... more
7 Days Ago
Get a Salary Increase
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search Job Openings
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Adjust Employee Salary
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Price My Industry Jobs
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
Use Salary.com's Cost of Living Calculator to find out what income you need to maintain your standard of living in a different city and how much more or less money you need to budget for basic expenses.
Explore Cost of Living CalculatorSalary.com experts will help you thrive your workplaces.
Salary.com provides salary survey data for thousands of industry Jobs.
Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:
