Best cities for a compensation specialist
The best cities for compensation specialists are Newark, NJ, Sacramento, CA, and Philadelphia, PA, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for compensation specialists vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for compensation specialists in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a compensation specialist or considering a move, this list of the best cities for compensation specialists to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for compensation specialists. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a compensation specialist. While the absolute best city for compensation specialists is Newark, NJ, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for compensation specialists in 2024.
If you're looking for a compensation specialist job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for compensation specialists in 2026
1. Newark, NJ
Total compensation specialist jobs: 7 Average annual salary: $91,109 Lowest 10 percent warn: $51,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $162,000 Location quotient: 5.16 2. Sacramento, CA
Total compensation specialist jobs: 5 Average annual salary: $99,973 Lowest 10 percent warn: $60,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $164,000 Location quotient: 2.06 3. Philadelphia, PA
Total compensation specialist jobs: 23 Average annual salary: $71,677 Lowest 10 percent warn: $39,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $129,000 Location quotient: 4.08 4. San Francisco, CA
Total compensation specialist jobs: 10 Average annual salary: $99,756 Lowest 10 percent warn: $60,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $164,000 Location quotient: 0.86 5. Seattle, WA
Total compensation specialist jobs: 7 Average annual salary: $96,608 Lowest 10 percent warn: $59,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $155,000 Location quotient: 0.71 6. Detroit, MI
Total compensation specialist jobs: 4 Average annual salary: $69,697 Lowest 10 percent warn: $39,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $123,000 Location quotient: 1.63 7. Portland, OR
Total compensation specialist jobs: 4 Average annual salary: $82,712 Lowest 10 percent warn: $51,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $133,000 Location quotient: 1.01 8. Boston, MA
Total compensation specialist jobs: 11 Average annual salary: $80,473 Lowest 10 percent warn: $45,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $141,000 Location quotient: 1.32 9. Los Angeles, CA
Total compensation specialist jobs: 7 Average annual salary: $90,231 Lowest 10 percent warn: $53,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $151,000 Location quotient: 0.70 10. Saint Paul, MN
Total compensation specialist jobs: 7 Average annual salary: $70,073 Lowest 10 percent warn: $43,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $113,000 Location quotient: 3.13
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Best cities for compensation specialists
- Newark, NJ
- Sacramento, CA
- Philadelphia, PA
- San Francisco, CA
- Seattle, WA
- Detroit, MI
- Portland, OR
- Boston, MA
- Los Angeles, CA
- Saint Paul, MN
- (7 compensation specialist jobs)
- (5 compensation specialist jobs)
- (23 compensation specialist jobs)
- (10 compensation specialist jobs)
- (7 compensation specialist jobs)
- (4 compensation specialist jobs)
- (4 compensation specialist jobs)
- (11 compensation specialist jobs)
- (7 compensation specialist jobs)
- (7 compensation specialist jobs)
Detailed list of the best cities for a compensation specialist
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Newark, NJ | $91,109 | $51,000 | 281,764 | 7 |
| 2 | Sacramento, CA | $99,973 | $60,000 | 495,234 | 5 |
| 3 | Philadelphia, PA | $71,677 | $39,000 | 1,567,872 | 23 |
| 4 | San Francisco, CA | $99,756 | $60,000 | 870,887 | 10 |
| 5 | Seattle, WA | $96,608 | $59,000 | 704,352 | 7 |
| 6 | Detroit, MI | $69,697 | $39,000 | 672,795 | 4 |
| 7 | Portland, OR | $82,712 | $51,000 | 639,863 | 4 |
| 8 | Boston, MA | $80,473 | $45,000 | 673,184 | 11 |
| 9 | Los Angeles, CA | $90,231 | $53,000 | 3,976,322 | 7 |
| 10 | Saint Paul, MN | $70,073 | $43,000 | 302,398 | 7 |
| 11 | Oakland, CA | $99,511 | $60,000 | 420,005 | - |
| 12 | Stockton, CA | $98,846 | $59,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 13 | Fremont, CA | $98,791 | $59,000 | 233,136 | - |
| 14 | San Jose, CA | $98,254 | $59,000 | 1,025,350 | - |
| 15 | Jersey City, NJ | $91,155 | $51,000 | 264,152 | - |
| 16 | Reno, NV | $77,747 | $46,000 | 245,255 | - |
| 17 | Fresno, CA | $95,366 | $57,000 | 522,053 | - |
| 18 | Long Beach, CA | $89,705 | $53,000 | 470,130 | - |
| 19 | Bakersfield, CA | $92,647 | $55,000 | 376,380 | - |
| 20 | Anaheim, CA | $89,593 | $53,000 | 351,043 | - |
| 21 | Irvine, CA | $89,251 | $53,000 | 266,122 | 1 |
| 22 | Santa Ana, CA | $89,424 | $53,000 | 334,217 | - |
| 23 | Riverside, CA | $89,330 | $53,000 | 324,722 | - |
| 24 | San Diego, CA | $87,533 | $51,000 | 1,406,630 | - |
| 25 | New York, NY | $80,858 | $45,000 | 8,537,673 | 21 |
| 26 | Raleigh, NC | $58,720 | $30,000 | 458,880 | 4 |
| 27 | North Las Vegas, NV | $70,774 | $41,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 28 | Chula Vista, CA | $87,269 | $51,000 | 267,172 | - |
| 29 | Chicago, IL | $71,919 | $41,000 | 2,704,958 | 8 |
| 30 | Las Vegas, NV | $70,875 | $42,000 | 632,912 | - |
| 31 | Islip, NY | $81,390 | $45,000 | 335,543 | - |
| 32 | Henderson, NV | $70,513 | $41,000 | 292,969 | - |
| 33 | Oyster Bay, NY | $81,315 | $45,000 | 293,214 | - |
| 34 | Hempstead, NY | $81,032 | $45,000 | 759,757 | - |
| 35 | Cleveland, OH | $58,262 | $32,000 | 385,809 | - |
| 36 | Brookhaven, NY | $81,684 | $46,000 | 486,040 | - |
| 37 | Toledo, OH | $57,104 | $32,000 | 278,508 | - |
| 38 | Oklahoma City, OK | $56,544 | $31,000 | 638,367 | 4 |
| 39 | Buffalo, NY | $79,713 | $45,000 | 256,902 | - |
| 40 | Washington, DC | $75,773 | $40,000 | 681,170 | 14 |
| 41 | Dallas, TX | $60,095 | $32,000 | 1,317,929 | 2 |
| 42 | Aurora, CO | $62,912 | $37,000 | 361,710 | 11 |
| 43 | Pittsburgh, PA | $67,043 | $36,000 | 303,625 | - |
| 44 | Austin, TX | $59,827 | $32,000 | 947,890 | 3 |
| 45 | Plano, TX | $60,045 | $32,000 | 286,057 | - |
| 46 | Wichita, KS | $55,418 | $32,000 | 389,902 | 1 |
| 47 | Garland, TX | $60,002 | $32,000 | 234,943 | - |
| 48 | Mesa, AZ | $56,376 | $32,000 | 484,587 | 1 |
| 49 | Minneapolis, MN | $69,969 | $43,000 | 413,651 | - |
| 50 | Denver, CO | $62,976 | $37,000 | 693,060 | 27 |
Highest paying cities for compensation specialists
| Rank | City | Avg. compensation specialist salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $99,756 |
| 2 | Olympia, WA | $97,275 |
| 3 | White Plains, NY | $81,460 |
| 4 | Boston, MA | $80,473 |
| 5 | Washington, DC | $75,772 |
| 6 | Chicago, IL | $71,919 |
| 7 | Philadelphia, PA | $71,677 |
| 8 | Baltimore, MD | $70,409 |
| 9 | McLean, VA | $70,071 |
| 10 | Englewood, CO | $63,187 |
| 11 | Iowa City, IA | $63,069 |
| 12 | Raleigh, NC | $58,720 |
| 13 | Houston, TX | $58,544 |
| 14 | Toledo, OH | $57,104 |
| 15 | Phoenix, AZ | $56,719 |
| 16 | Saint Louis, MO | $54,197 |
| 17 | Atlanta, GA | $53,095 |
| 18 | Springdale, AR | $52,814 |
| 19 | Indianapolis, IN | $52,233 |
| 20 | Omaha, NE | $48,949 |
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Updated January 8, 2025