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Compensation Analyst I Salary in the United States

How much does a Compensation Analyst I make in the United States?

As of April 01, 2026, the average salary for a Compensation Analyst I in the United States is $66,319 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $32.

However, a Compensation Analyst I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $85,391
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $62,263 to $76,302
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $58,570
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View as table View as graph 25% $62,263 10% $58,570 90% $85,391 75% $76,302 $66,319 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Compensation Analyst I Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $76,302 $6,359 $1,467 $37
Average $66,319 $5,527 $1,275 $32
25th Percentile $62,263 $5,189 $1,197 $30
Check out Compensation Analyst I Job Openings in the United States
Compensation Analyst

Cintas - Mason, OH

Senior Global Compensation Analyst

Acumatica - Westerville, OH

SR COMPENSATION ANALYST

Premier Health - Dayton, OH

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Key Factors That Influence Compensation Analyst I Salaries

A Compensation Analyst 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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Compensation Analyst Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Compensation Analyst 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:

  • Compensation Analyst I (0-2 years): $66,319
  • Compensation Analyst II (2-4 years): $79,200
  • Compensation Analyst III (4-7 years): $103,887
  • Compensation Analyst IV (7+ years): $126,116
  • Compensation Supervisor (7+ years): $120,972
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Compensation Analyst I0-2 years$66,319
Compensation Analyst II2-4 years$79,200
Compensation Analyst III4-7 years$103,887
Compensation Analyst IV7+ years$126,116
Compensation Supervisor7+ years$120,972
$66,319 Compensat...
$79,200 Compensat...
$103,887 Compensat...
$126,116 Compensat...
$120,972 Compensat...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Compensation Analyst Is

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:

  • San Jose: $83,648
  • San Francisco: $82,826
  • Oakland: $80,989

What Skills Can Increase a Compensation Analyst I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 15.83% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Benchmarking (Mentioned in 2.44% Job Postings): Benchmarking is the practice of comparing business processes and performance metrics to industry bests and best practices from other companies. Dimensions typically measured are quality, time and cost. Benchmarking is used to measure performance using a specific indicator (cost per unit of measure, productivity per unit of measure, cycle time of x per unit of measure or defects per unit of measure) resulting in a metric of performance that is then compared to others. Also referred to as "best practice benchmarking" or "process benchmarking", this process is used in management in which organizations evaluate various aspects of their processes in relation to best-practice companies' processes, usually within a peer group defined for the purposes of comparison. This then allows organizations to develop plans on how to make improvements or adapt specific best practices, usually with the aim of increasing some aspect of performance. Benchmarking may be a one-off event, but is often treated as a continuous process in which organizations continually seek to improve their practices.
  • Talent Acquisition (Mentioned in 1.46% Job Postings): Talent acquisition is the process of identifying organizational staffing needs, recruiting qualified candidates and selecting the candidates best suited for the available positions.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 15.83%
Benchmarking 2.44%
Talent Acquisition 1.46%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Compensation Analyst I's salary.
  • Executive Compensation: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
  • Presentation: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Consulting: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Executive Compensation
$73,614
11%
Presentation
$69,635
5%
Consulting
$69,635
5%
Economics
$68,972
4%
Insight
$68,972
4%
Alignment
$68,972
4%
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How Education impacts a Compensation Analyst I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Compensation Analyst Is enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Compensation Analyst I with a Bachelor's Degree is between $62,815 and $66,371).

Compensation Analyst I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Compensation Analyst I
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.3%
High School 4.3%
Associates 4.9%
Bachelors 58.2%
Masters 32.0%
Doctorate 0.3%
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Compensation Analyst I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Compensation Analyst 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.

Last Updated on April 01, 2026

Compensation Analyst I Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Compensation Analyst 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.

Compensation Analyst I Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Stock Plan Administrator II $78,706 19%
Compensation Analyst II $79,200 19%
Executive Compensation Analyst II $85,891 30%

Salary Trends for Compensation Analyst I

Salaries for a Compensation Analyst I can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $61,542 in 2023 to around $59,453 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Compensation Analyst I salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Compensation Analyst I Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$61,542
2024
$60,571
2025
$59,453
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $61,542
2024 $60,571
2025 $59,453
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Compensation Analyst I

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Compensation Analyst I

Here are companies hiring for Compensation Analyst I and their salaries, click below for more details.

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Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Compensation Analyst I job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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FAQ about Compensation Analyst I

1. Where can a Compensation Analyst I earn the most?

A Compensation Analyst I's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Compensation Analyst I earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Compensation Analyst I is $83,648.

2. What is the highest pay for Compensation Analyst I?

The highest pay for Compensation Analyst I is $85,391.

3. What is the lowest pay for Compensation Analyst I?

The lowest pay for Compensation Analyst I is $58,570.

4. What are the responsibilities of Compensation Analyst I?

Analyzes, designs, and administers employer compensation programs, including base pay, long and short-term incentives, spot bonuses, commissions, and stock that align with company objectives for recruiting, retention, and employee engagement. Designs and communicates pay structures, grades, compensation budgets, and guidelines. Advises managers on making effective pay decisions that support employee engagement and comply with compensation policy and budgetary guidelines. Evaluates jobs and develops and maintains job descriptions and job architecture. Participates in compensation surveys, conducts research and analysis on market competitiveness, pay equity, and compensation trends. Requires a bachelor's degree or equivalent. Typically reports to a manager. Work is closely managed. Works on projects/matters of limited complexity in a support role. Typically requires 0-2 years of related experience.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
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  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
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