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Compensation Associate Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Aionios LLC

Workers Compensation Associate

Los Angeles, CA · Hybrid

$125K - $175K/yr

Workers' Compensation Associate Locations: (Hybrid) Salary Range: $125,000 - $175,000 + bonus Our client, a nationally recognized civil litigation defense firm, is seeking a Workers' Compensation ...

Aionios LLC

Workers Compensation Associate

Costa Mesa, CA · Hybrid

$125K - $175K/yr

Workers' Compensation Associate Locations: (Hybrid) Salary Range: $125,000 - $175,000 + bonus Our client, a nationally recognized civil litigation defense firm, is seeking a Workers' Compensation ...

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All JobsCompensation Associate JobsCompensation Associate Jobs in California

Compensation Associate information

See California salary details

$45.9K

$58.8K

$69.6K

How much do compensation associate jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for compensation associate in California is $58,791.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $53,800.00 and $63,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Compensation Associate vs Payroll Specialist?

AspectCompensation AssociatePayroll Specialist
Required CredentialsTypically a bachelor's degree in HR, Business, or related field; certifications like CCP are a plusOften a degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business; certifications like CPP or payroll-specific certifications
Work EnvironmentHR or Compensation departments within organizations, focusing on pay structures and benefitsFinance or HR departments, handling payroll processing and compliance
Employer & Industry UsageUsed across various industries in HR teams to manage compensation dataCommon in organizations with in-house payroll processing or payroll service providers

The Compensation Associate primarily focuses on designing and managing employee pay structures, benefits, and compensation data. In contrast, the Payroll Specialist handles the processing of employee wages, tax deductions, and compliance with payroll regulations. While both roles require knowledge of compensation and HR policies, the Compensation Associate emphasizes strategy and data management, whereas the Payroll Specialist concentrates on accurate payroll execution and reporting.

What are some common challenges Compensation Associates face when analyzing salary data across different departments?

Compensation Associates often encounter challenges such as inconsistent job titles, varying responsibilities across departments, and discrepancies in market data when analyzing salary information. Navigating these differences requires strong analytical skills and close collaboration with HR partners and department managers to ensure internal equity and external competitiveness. Staying updated with industry benchmarks and using standardized job evaluation methods can help address these issues and support fair compensation decisions.

What does a Compensation Associate do?

A Compensation Associate is responsible for supporting the development, implementation, and administration of an organization's compensation programs. They analyze salary data, benchmark roles against industry standards, assist with salary reviews, and ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations. Their work helps ensure that employees are paid fairly and competitively, which can improve employee satisfaction and retention. Compensation Associates often collaborate with HR, finance, and management teams to align pay structures with company goals.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Compensation Associate, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Compensation Associate, you need a solid understanding of compensation principles, data analysis, and human resources practices, usually backed by a relevant bachelor's degree. Familiarity with HR information systems (HRIS), advanced Excel skills, and compensation management tools like PayScale or Workday is often required. Strong attention to detail, discretion, and effective communication help you excel in handling sensitive data and collaborating across teams. These skills are crucial to ensure accurate compensation analysis, compliance, and fair pay practices within an organization.
What are the most commonly searched types of Compensation jobs in California? The most popular types of Compensation jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Compensation Associate jobs in California? For Compensation Associate jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Compensation Associate jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Compensation Associate jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Compensation Associate jobs? Cities in California with the most Compensation Associate job openings:
Compensation Associate jobs near you
Compensation Associate

Compensation Associate

Simplicity Group Holdings

San Diego, CA • On-site

$60K - $65K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 8 days ago

Job description

Position:             Compensation Associate

Reports to:         Commissions Manager

Department:      Simplicity Investments

Location:            11512 El Camino Real, Suite 100, San Diego, CA / full-time, in-office

Classification: Full-time, Exempt


Summary / Job Objective: We are currently seeking a highly detail-oriented individual to join our fast-growing team as a full-time Compensation Associate.


Primary Responsibilities:

·        Prepare and process daily compensation data, including statements and payout cycles, using standard templates or third-party systems

·        Reconcile financial records and resolve discrepancies to ensure accurate and balanced ledger entries

·        Maintain accurate client and compensation records, including setup, review, and electronic documentation of financial accounts

·        Respond to and resolve compensation-related inquiries from internal team members and external financial professionals in a timely and professional manner.

·        Ensure data integrity and compliance by reviewing, storing, and auditing compensation documentation

·        Support audit readiness by preparing and organizing documentation for third-party financial audits

Qualifications:

·        Background in finance, insurance, or accounting is preferred

·        Industry Knowledge – Brings relevant background in finance, insurance, or accounting to support role effectiveness

·        Willingness to work extended hours during peak processing periods

Core Competencies:

·        Communication – Demonstrates strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to interact professionally across all levels

·        Customer Service – Provides excellent service and support with a positive, solution-oriented approach

·        Organization & Time Management – Effectively manages multiple tasks and deadlines in a fast-paced, high-volume environment

·        Attention to Detail – Maintains accuracy and precision in work, particularly when handling numerical or financial data

·        Team Collaboration – Works effectively both independently and as part of a team to achieve shared goals

·        Analytical Thinking – Applies strong problem-solving skills to identify, analyze, and resolve issues

·        Numerical Proficiency – Comfortable working with numbers and performing financial calculations

·        Adaptability – Remains flexible and maintains a positive attitude in response to shifting priorities or high-pressure situations

·        Resilience & Reliability – Performs steadily under pressure and is willing to commit extra time during peak periods


Compensation & Benefits

Compensation (based on experience)

·        Annual base salary: $60,000 - $65,000, exempt

·        Annual performance bonus target: 5%

Benefits

·        Employee benefits (medical, dental, vision, life insurance, other)

·        401k with employer match

·        Paid Time Off

Location: 11512 El Camino Real, Suite 100, San Diego, CA / full-time, in-office

Company Description

Headquartered in Summit, New Jersey, Simplicity Financial Marketing Group Holdings (“Simplicity Group”) is a financial holding company in the independent financial services sector that specializes in the distribution of retirement and financial planning solutions. Simplicity Group and its wholly-owned Broker-Dealer, partners with insurance and investment professionals to help provide consumers with guaranteed income and life insurance products, wealth accumulation strategies, disability, and long-term care protection in support of a holistic financial strategy.
Through its vast distribution network of insurance, wealth, and institutional channels, Simplicity Group has assisted with the placement of more than $10 billion of insurance assets and has $10 billion of assets under management and advisement as of Q4 2024. Simplicity Group is a fast-growing business, focused on organic growth initiatives to help its distribution partners expand their businesses. Simplicity Group has over 1,200 employees and 90 operating subsidiaries. Simplicity Group is owned by two of the leading San Francisco-based financial and tech-enabled services private equity firms and by its operating Partners, who help drive the company’s day-to-day business.
For more information, please visit simplicitygroup.com.