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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Intermediate Compensation Analyst in California is $87,350 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $42.
However, an Intermediate Compensation Analyst's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Intermediate Compensation Analyst Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $94,250 | $7,854 | $1,813 | $45 |
| Average | $87,350 | $7,279 | $1,680 | $42 |
| 25th Percentile | $78,320 | $6,527 | $1,506 | $38 |
LHH - San Jose, CA
Harbor Freight Tools - Calabasas, CA
ROLLER - San Francisco, CA
Sandisk - Milpitas, CA
An Intermediate Compensation Analyst'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 an Intermediate Compensation Analyst'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 |
| Intermediate Compensation Analyst | 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 Intermediate Compensation Analysts. 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:
Intermediate Compensation Analyst salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $97,783. While startup companies pay approximate $82,722.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $82,722 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $87,489 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $94,427 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $97,783 |
For Intermediate Compensation Analyst roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 32% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Energy & Utilities and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 18% above the average. In contrast, Intermediate Compensation Analyst positions in Biotechnology or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Intermediate Compensation Analyst as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy & Utilities | $103,073 | $50.0 | 18% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $101,326 | $49.0 | 16% |
| Insurance | $96,085 | $46.0 | 10% |
| Chemicals | $93,464 | $45.0 | 7% |
| Internet | $92,591 | $45.0 | 6% |
Understanding how an Intermediate Compensation Analyst'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 | $94,250 | $7,854 | $1,813 | $45 |
| Average | $87,350 | $7,279 | $1,680 | $42 |
| 25th Percentile | $78,320 | $6,527 | $1,506 | $38 |
Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As an Intermediate Compensation Analyst, 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 III Stock Plan Administrator | $115,900 | 33% |
| Compensation Specialist III | $114,600 | 31% |
| Senior Executive Compensation Analyst | $124,420 | 42% |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Intermediate Compensation Analyst job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
APPLIED MATERIALS
Santa Clara, CA
APPLIED MATERIALS | Santa Clara, CA
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San Jose, CA
FloQast | San Jose, CA
Senior Compensation AnalystWe are seeking a driven, collaborative, and strategic Senior Compensation Analyst to join our high-performing People team. In th... more
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COMPA
Irvine, CA
COMPA | Irvine, CA
Compensation Data AnalystCompa is a venture-backed AI startup revolutionizing the future of compensation.In a dynamic job market with hiring challenges, ac... more
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The Voleon Group
Berkeley, CA
The Voleon Group | Berkeley, CA
Senior Compensation AnalystVoleon is a technology company that applies state-of-the-art AI and machine learning techniques to real-world problems in financ... more
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Streamlit
Menlo Park, CA
Streamlit | Menlo Park, CA
Senior Compensation AnalystSnowflake is about empowering enterprises to achieve their full potential and people too. With a culture that's all in on impact... more
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Snowflake Computing
Menlo Park, CA
Snowflake Computing | Menlo Park, CA
Senior Compensation AnalystSnowflake is about empowering enterprises to achieve their full potential and people too. With a culture that's all in on impact... more
7 Days Ago
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