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Compensation Management Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Compensation Manager

Lancaster, CA · On-site

$80K - $102K/yr

Compensation Management: * Conduct market research, benchmark positions, and perform internal/external alignment to assess industry salary standards and identify compensation trends. * Create ...

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Compensation Specialist

Orange, CA · On-site

$26 - $30/hr

Compensation & Classification Project Support * Build and maintain a centralized database and ... Draft and update s using the new template in collaboration with hiring managers and department ...

Senior Compensation Analyst

Fremont, CA · On-site

$90K - $118K/yr

Stay current on global market trends, legal requirements, and best practices in compensation management. Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business, Finance, Economics, or a ...

Job Evaluation & Structure Management * Evaluate new and existing roles, ensuring proper job ... Compensation Programs Administration * Assist in the annual compensation cycle (merit, bonus ...

Total Rewards Content Management * Own the Total Rewards Confluence space by creating, maintaining, and enhancing compensation policies and educational resources. * Ensure content is accurate, easy ...

Senior Compensation Analyst

Fremont, CA · On-site

$90K - $118K/yr

... management. Qualifications • Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business, Finance, Economics, or a related field. • 5+ years of progressive experience in compensation analysis, preferably in a ...

Total Rewards Content Management * Own the Total Rewards Confluence space by creating, maintaining, and enhancing compensation policies and educational resources. * Ensure content is accurate, easy ...

Total Rewards Content Management * Own the Total Rewards Confluence space by creating, maintaining, and enhancing compensation policies and educational resources. * Ensure content is accurate, easy ...

Compensation Manager Kikoff is looking for a Compensation Manager to own our cash and equity programs end-to-end as we scale toward IPO. You'll be the in-house comp expert who turns our compensation ...

As we continue to scale across multiple countries, business units, and talent markets, we're looking for a Staff Compensation Manager to help shape how we attract, reward, and retain exceptional ...

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Compensation Management information

See California salary details

$35K

$113.2K

$167.3K

How much do compensation management jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for compensation management in California is $113,228.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $94,700.00 and $130,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What professions make $500,000 a year?

In compensation management, high earners often include executive-level professionals such as Chief Compensation Officers, HR Directors, and Compensation Consultants, especially those working in large corporations or specialized consulting firms. These roles typically require extensive experience, advanced certifications like CCP or SPHR, and strong negotiation and analytical skills. Salaries at this level are usually supplemented with bonuses, stock options, or profit-sharing arrangements.

What is the difference between Compensation Management vs Payroll Specialist?

AspectCompensation ManagementPayroll Specialist
Primary FocusDesigning and managing employee compensation strategies, including salary structures, bonuses, and benefitsProcessing employee wages, ensuring accurate payroll calculations, and compliance with tax laws
Required SkillsCompensation analysis, benefits administration, HR policiesPayroll processing, tax regulations, data entry
Work EnvironmentHR departments, compensation teams, strategic planningPayroll departments, accounting, HR support
CertificationsSPHR, CCP, PHRNone specific, often familiarity with payroll software and tax laws

While Compensation Management focuses on developing and overseeing employee pay structures and benefits, Payroll Specialists handle the day-to-day processing of employee wages and compliance. Both roles are essential in HR and finance departments but serve different functions within employee compensation and payroll operations.

What jobs make $1,000,000 a year?

In compensation management, high-earning roles such as Chief Compensation Officer or executive-level HR leaders can reach or exceed $1 million annually, especially in large corporations. These positions often require extensive experience, strategic skills, and sometimes performance-based bonuses or stock options. Most roles in this field do not typically reach this level, but top executives in compensation and benefits can earn such compensation packages.

What is the role of compensation management?

Compensation management involves designing and administering employee pay structures, including salaries, bonuses, and benefits, to attract, motivate, and retain talent. It requires understanding market trends, legal compliance, and organizational goals, often utilizing tools like compensation software and data analysis. Effective management ensures fair pay practices and supports overall business strategy.

What do compensation managers do?

Compensation managers develop and oversee salary structures, benefits, and incentive programs to ensure competitive and equitable pay practices. They analyze market data, ensure compliance with regulations, and collaborate with HR and finance teams to align compensation strategies with organizational goals.
What cities in California are hiring for Compensation Management jobs? Cities in California with the most Compensation Management job openings:
Infographic showing various Compensation Management job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, and 7% Contract. Highlights an 93% In-person, and 7% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $113,228 per year, or $54.4 per hour.

Full-time

Posted 11 days ago


Job description

LIFELONG LEARNING ADMINISTRATION CORPORATION

Full Time, Monday – Friday

This position offers a hybrid work arrangement, with on-site responsibilities determined by program and site needs, and quarterly meetings in Lancaster, CA.

The Lifelong Learning Advantage

At Lifelong Learning, we believe every student deserves the opportunity to succeed, and every school should have the support to make that possible. Our mission is to serve our client schools so educators can focus on what matters most: helping students learn, grow and thrive. Through innovative operational and educational support, we help schools create stronger outcomes, greater opportunities, and brighter futures for the students and communities they serve.

Learn more about us at https://llac.org/

How You Will Make an Impact

The Compensation Manager will lead and execute job analyses for all organizational roles, develop and assess job descriptions, benchmark salaries, and recommend compensation adjustments to maintain internal equity and market competitiveness. The CCM will ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and organization policies related job descriptions, compensation administration, compensation adjustments, salary structures, and variable incentive and stipend programs. Collaboration with the department Director, People Services Leadership, and other stakeholders, to implement compensation structures aligned with company objectives and market trends, while meeting project deadlines. The position reports directly to the Director, People Services or their designee.

RESPONSIBILITIES/DUTIES 

This job description is intended to accurately reflect the position's duties, responsibilities, and requirements. It is not intended to be and should not be construed as an all-inclusive list of all the responsibilities, skills, or working conditions associated with this classification. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Job Classification Management: 

  • Review and update current job descriptions to reflect changes in roles, responsibilities, and requirements.
  • Evaluate the need for creating new positions, develop, and classify them, ensuring alignment with organizational standards and compliance with legal regulations.
  • Conduct classification reviews and determine appropriate FLSA classification, certification status, and job level.
  • Initiate the development and maintenance of classification standard policies and procedures (SOP).
  • Implement and maintain a structured job classification system to ensure roles are appropriately categorized by job.  

Compensation Management:

  • Conduct market research, benchmark positions, and perform internal/external alignment to assess industry salary standards and identify compensation trends.
  • Create, maintain, and manage the administration of the organization's compensation policies and procedures.
  • Take the initiative to lead and manage the development and enhancement of compensation reports, resources, and tool to proactively support and inform compensation program decisions.
  • Serve as the point of contact for the Talent Acquisition/Recruiting, responding to inquiries and supporting the drive to streamline internal equity evaluation practices.
  • Stay current with changes in compensation laws, tax regulations, and HR best practices.
  • Monitor minimum wage laws and regulations and provide impact analysis.

Data Analysis & Reporting:

  • Analyze compensation data, market trends, generates reports and prepare comprehensive analysis report using statistical methods (e.g. averages, percentages, correlations), to provide insights into the organization’s compensation structure, identify trends, patterns, and relationships, such as employee compensation averages, salary distribution, and pay gap analysis.
  • Prepare qualitative and narrative reports summarizing employee feedback on compensation satisfaction, gathered from interviews, open-ended surveys, and focus groups to provide deeper insights into underlying reasons, motivations, and perception.
  • Narrative reports, including but not limited to classification analysis and compensation application to the appropriate classifications.
  • Create and present recommendations for salary adjustments, incentives, bonus structures, or benefits enhancements based on analysis. 
  • Execute and manage compensation-related audits to ensure accuracy before distribution and compliance with all internal and external guidelines.
  • Maintain compensation records and salary information in HRIS, ensuring all data is accurate, up to date, and compliant with legal requirements. 
  • Supervisory Responsibilities: Manage, coordinate, supervise, coach, and direct the hiring, training, timely performance evaluations of team members, oversee their daily activities and oversee the daily workflow of the department.  

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES

  • Knowledge of job classification and compensation-related laws and regulations, such as FLSA, ADA, and EEOC, and the ability to ensure compliance.
  • Knowledge of laws, policies, procedures and best practices related to compensation planning.
  • Knowledge of compensation benchmarking methods, salary surveys, and industry pay trends.
  • Ability to interpret data, perform computations, correlations analyses, and perform statistical reports.
  • Ability to troubleshoot when it comes to discrepancies or errors in compensation data or processes.
  • Ability to explain complex compensation concepts clearly to non-experts and to effectively communicate compensation changes or policies to employees. 
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive compensation data responsibly.
  • Ability to manage multiple job classification tasks simultaneously.
  • Strong organizational skills to track and maintain compensation records, classification records, deadlines, and process workflows.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

  • Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Data Analytics, or a related field, or 2 years of equivalent work experience demonstrating the required knowledge, skills, and abilities in the discipline. 
  • Three to five (3-5) years of experience in managing job descriptions and compensation, including but not limited to job analysis, job description development, job classification standards, job pricing methods, compensation structures, variable incentive plans, compensation management software, HRIS, and other information technology systems that support and integrate classification and compensation.
  • Experience and proficiency in interpreting large sets of compensation data, trends, and performance metrics.
  • Experience in project management, program development, organizing, prioritizing, coordinating, implementing, and managing multiple programs, projects, and tasks.
  • Advanced skills in Excel administration and spreadsheet preparation.
  • Certified Compensation Professional (CCP) or industry-related certification (PHR/SPHR, SHRM-CP/SCP) is preferred.
  • Ability to travel up to 10% in the performance of job duties.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Vision: Ability to read small print and view a computer screen for prolong periods, prepare, or inspect documents and operate office equipment.
  • Hearing: Ability to hear average or typical conversations and receiving ordinary information.
  • Speech: Ability to be understood in face-to-face communication, in person or remote, to speak with level of proficiency and volume to be understood over a telephone or computer. 
  • Mental Demands: Ability to read, write, understand, interpret, and apply information at a moderately complex level essential for successful job performance; math skills at a high school proficiency level; judgement and the ability to process information quickly; learn quickly and follow verbal procedures and standards; give verbal instruction; rank tasks in order of importance; copy, compare, compile and coordinate information and records. Frequent multi-tasking, changing of task priorities, repetitious exacting work. Understand how to manage stress. high workflow management, high project coordination, and medium people engagement.
  • Upper Body Mobility: Ability to use fingers to make small movements such as typing, picking up small objects, or pinching fingers together, use hands to grasp, and manipulate small objects; twist and bend at wrist and elbow; extend arms to reach outward and upward; use hands and arms to lift objects; turn, raise, and lower head. 
  • Strength: Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull objects weighing up to 10 pounds.     
  • Environmental Requirements: Ability to encounter constant work interruptions; work cooperatively with others; work independently; work indoors. Prolonged period sitting at a desk and working on a computer.  Work in a low to moderate noise environment with frequent deadline pressures.