Based on the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data — updated August 12, 2026.
| California | National | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median annual salary | $170,080 | $149,469 | +14% |
| Median hourly wage | $81.77 | $71.86 | +14% |
Adjusted for local price levels (100 = national average), the cost-adjusted median is $153,640.
| City | Median | Entry Level | Experienced | Cost of Living |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | $201,500 | $116,250 | $255,750 | 244 |
| Oakland | $182,000 | $105,000 | $231,000 | 196 |
| Los Angeles | $166,400 | $96,000 | $211,200 | 173 |
| Long Beach | $156,000 | $90,000 | $198,000 | 153 |
| San Diego | $153,400 | $88,500 | $194,700 | 161 |
| Sacramento | $140,400 | $81,000 | $178,200 | 130 |
| Fresno | $123,500 | $71,250 | $156,750 | 105 |
The median annual salary for a HR Manager in California is $170,080, or about $81.77 per hour, according to BLS OEWS data.
The national median for HR Managers is $149,469. California is +14% above the national median.
Entry-level hr managers in California typically earn from $116,250 depending on the city and employer.
With 27,450 hr manager jobs on record and a median salary of $170,080, California offers above-average pay compared to the rest of the country.