Human Resources
Compensation Analyst — Career & Salary Intelligence
Compensation Analyst careers, salary ranges across the US and Canada, education requirements, and growth outlook.
National median
$82,000
Entry (p10)
$58,000
Top 10% (p90)
$125,000
Career score
60/100
Moderate Career
Career overview
Compensation Analyst careers, salary ranges across the US and Canada, education requirements, and growth outlook.
Career stability score 65/100. Automation risk 52/100. Remote-work compatibility 88/100.
Salary by experience
National baseline before location adjustments.
| Level | Years | Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Entry | 0–2 yrs | $61,500 |
| Junior | 3–5 yrs | $72,775 |
| Mid | 6–10 yrs | $82,000 |
| Senior | 11–15 yrs | $106,600 |
| Lead / Principal | 16–20 yrs | $131,200 |
| Executive / Top Performer | 20+ yrs | $154,816 |
Salary by location
Cost-of-living adjusted mid-level compensation.
| City | COL | Median | p90 |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | 187 | $153,300 | $233,800 |
| Los Angeles, CA | 176 | $144,300 | $220,000 |
| Toronto, ON | 135 | $110,700 | $168,800 |
| Chicago, IL | 107 | $87,700 | $133,800 |
| Houston, TX | 96 | $78,700 | $120,000 |
| Montreal, QC | 98 | $80,400 | $122,500 |
| Phoenix, AZ | 104 | $85,300 | $130,000 |
| Philadelphia, PA | 101 | $82,800 | $126,300 |
| San Antonio, TX | 90 | $73,800 | $112,500 |
| San Diego, CA | 160 | $131,200 | $200,000 |
| Dallas, TX | 103 | $84,500 | $128,800 |
| Calgary, AB | 107 | $87,700 | $133,800 |
Salary by education
Approximate compensation by educational attainment.
| Education level | Estimated salary | vs Bachelor's |
|---|---|---|
| High School | $57,000 | -30% |
| Associate Degree | $67,000 | -18% |
| Bachelor's Degree | $82,000 | — |
| Master's Degree | $103,000 | 25% |
| Doctorate / Professional | $127,000 | 55% |
| Professional Certifications | $92,000 | 12% |
10-year career growth forecast
Projected compensation assuming standard market growth.
Certifications that increase earnings
PMP
Cross-functional program leadership
Approx. uplift: +9%
Lean Six Sigma Green Belt
Process improvement credibility
Approx. uplift: +6%
Career Opportunity Score breakdown
Overall
60/100
Moderate
Moderate Career
Compensation
51/100
Moderate
Growth
62/100
Moderate
Demand
59/100
Moderate
Stability
65/100
Strong
Advancement
52/100
Moderate
Remote flexibility
88/100
Excellent
Frequently asked questions about Compensation Analyst
Common questions about salary, education, growth, and total compensation.