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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Communications Lead in California is $198,803 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $96.
However, a Communications Lead's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Communications Lead Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $218,671 | $18,223 | $4,205 | $105 |
| Average | $198,803 | $16,567 | $3,823 | $96 |
| 25th Percentile | $180,260 | $15,022 | $3,467 | $87 |
WestEd - San Francisco, CA
Symbolica - San Francisco, CA
BizTek People, Inc. | APA International Placement Consultants - San Diego, CA
HDR - Irvine, CA
A Communications Lead'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 Communications Lead'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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Communica... Level Communications Lead | $128,547 |
| Communica... Level Communications Lead | $167,633 |
| Communica... Level Communications Lead | $133,530 |
| Communica... Level Communications Lead | $197,342 |
| VP of Com... Level Communications Lead | $265,442 |
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 Communications Leads. 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:
For Communications Lead roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 50% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Communications Lead positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Communications Lead as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biotechnology | $248,503 | $119.0 | 25% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $242,539 | $117.0 | 22% |
| Internet | $238,563 | $115.0 | 20% |
| Software & Networking | $234,587 | $113.0 | 18% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $218,683 | $105.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a Communications Lead'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 | $218,671 | $18,223 | $4,205 | $105 |
| Average | $198,803 | $16,567 | $3,823 | $96 |
| 25th Percentile | $180,260 | $15,022 | $3,467 | $87 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Communications Lead job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
The AI Education Project
San Francisco, CA
The AI Education Project | San Francisco, CA
Job Description. Job Description. About aiEDU. The AI Education Project (aiEDU) is a fast-growing 501(c)(3) nonprofit on a mission to make AI literacy acce... more
4 Days Ago
Jiobit
San Francisco, CA
Jiobit | San Francisco, CA
A leading family safety technology firm is looking for a Senior Manager of Executive Communications.This role focuses on enhancing executive visibility and... more
5 Days Ago
Disability Solutions
San Jose, CA
Disability Solutions | San Jose, CA
A leading technology firm in San Jose is seeking an experienced Corporate Communications US Media Manager to develop and enhance its media relations strate... more
2 Days Ago
TE Connectivity Corporation
Los Angeles, CA
TE Connectivity Corporation | Los Angeles, CA
Press Tab to Move to Skip to Content Link Select how often (in days) to receive an alert :Select how often (in days) to receive an alert :Global Communicat... more
5 Days Ago
WeVote
Oakland, CA
WeVote | Oakland, CA
A nonprofit organization is seeking a passionate Communications Manager for Fundraising to join its remote team in Oakland, California.The ideal candidate ... more
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ClickUp
National City, CA
ClickUp | National City, CA
A leading productivity software company in California is seeking an Operations and Leadership Enablement Architect to design operational systems and improv... more
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