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 III in California is $114,600 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $55.
However, a Compensation Specialist III'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-Powered Talent
Smart Recruiting
Compensation Specialist III Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $121,300 | $10,108 | $2,333 | $58 |
| Average | $114,600 | $9,550 | $2,204 | $55 |
| 25th Percentile | $107,200 | $8,933 | $2,062 | $52 |
FLAG Solutions LLC - Pico Rivera, CA
AvonRisk - Rocklin, CA
Zynex Medical - Los Angeles, CA
Liberty Mutual Insurance - Bakersfield, CA
A Compensation Specialist III'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 III'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 IIIs. 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 III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $128,288. While startup companies pay approximate $108,529.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $108,529 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $114,782 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $123,885 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $128,288 |
For Compensation Specialist III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 45% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Internet sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Compensation Specialist positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Compensation Specialist III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software & Networking | $143,250 | $69.0 | 25% |
| Internet | $137,520 | $66.0 | 20% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $137,520 | $66.0 | 20% |
| Energy & Utilities | $131,790 | $63.0 | 15% |
| Healthcare | $126,060 | $61.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a Compensation Specialist III'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 | $121,300 | $10,108 | $2,333 | $58 |
| Average | $114,600 | $9,550 | $2,204 | $55 |
| 25th Percentile | $107,200 | $8,933 | $2,062 | $52 |
Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Compensation Specialist III, 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Level IV Stock Plan Administrator | $131,800 | 15% |
| Compensation Specialist IV | $139,200 | 21% |
| Executive Compensation Analysis Manager | $205,300 | 79% |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Compensation Specialist III 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 Specialist - Remote Mid to Senior Level California JurisdictionJoin to apply for the Workers' Compensation Claim Specialist - R... more
6 Days Ago
AvonRisk
Glendale, CA
AvonRisk | Glendale, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Description. AvonRisk is the nation’s leading specialty risk manager for self-insured organizations, uniting respected re... more
5 Days Ago
AvonRisk
Glendale, CA
AvonRisk | Glendale, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Description. AvonRisk is the nation’s leading specialty risk manager for self-insured organizations, uniting respected re... more
7 Days Ago
King's Insurance Staffing LLC
San Francisco, CA
King's Insurance Staffing LLC | San Francisco, CA
Our client, a leading insurance company, is continuing to expand their California business and seeking to add a Senior California Workers' Compensation Cla... more
9 Days Ago
Tristar Insurance Services LLC
Signal Hill, CA
Tristar Insurance Services LLC | Signal Hill, CA
Workers Compensation Claims Examiner III _ TempFully remote Signal Hill Office - Signal Hill, CA 90755Overview: Salary Range $93,600.00 - $104,000.00 Salar... more
9 Days Ago
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
9 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:
