California State Controller’s Office releases 2025 self-reported payroll data | Covering California

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – On Thursday, California State Controller Malia M. Cohen published the 2025 self-reported payroll data for California special districts, qualifying joint powers commissions and nonprofit organizations on the Government Compensation in California website.

The data reveals more than $16 billion in total compensation across thousands of public entities.

According to the State Controller’s Office, the data covers 165,338 positions reported by 3,018 special districts, approximately $12.8 billion in wages and $3.4 billion in employer-paid health and retirement contributions.

Of the 3,182 special districts, joint powers entities and qualifying nonprofits required to report, 78 failed to file and 86 submitted incomplete reports.

The 2025 publication includes 48 types of special districts performing 91 unique activities, including water, transportation, library, financial, fire protection, healthcare and community services.

“Transparency is an essential part of responsible fiscal management,” said Controller Cohen. “By publishing more than $16 billion in compensation data, we are giving taxpayers, policymakers, and local leaders a clearer view of how special districts, qualifying joint powers commissions and nonprofit organizations manage public resources. Complete and accurate reporting strengthens public trust and supports informed decision-making in the communities these districts serve.”

The data shows 9 of the 10 positions reporting the highest total wages were in the healthcare industry. The remaining position was with the Sacramento Municipal Utility District.

Three of the ten positions reporting the highest total wages reflect physicians who received lump sum payments of $800,000 or more in 2025.

Four of the ten positions reporting the highest total wages reflect employees who received more than $1 million in annual regular pay.

The State Controller’s Office says the ten special districts reporting the highest average wages were in the fire and public safety sector.

California law requires cities, counties and special districts to report compensation data annually to the State Controller.

The Government Compensation in California website publishes pay and benefit information for more than 2 million government positions in California, as reported annually by each public entity.

Users of the website can view compensation levels on maps and search by region, narrow results by district name or job title and export raw data or customized reports.