Human Resources
Compensation Analyst — Career & Salary Intelligence
Compensation Analyst careers, salary ranges across the United States, education requirements, and growth outlook.
National median
$78,210
Entry (p10)
$49,480
Top 10% (p90)
$128,920
Career score
60/100
Moderate Career
Career overview
Compensation Analyst careers, salary ranges across the United States, education requirements, and growth outlook.
Career stability score 65/100. Automation risk 52/100. Remote-work compatibility 88/100.
What the job pays nationally
The published wage distribution for this occupation, before any location adjustment. These are pay percentiles, not years of experience \u2014 the source data does not link the two.
| Percentile | What it means | Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | 1 in 10 earn less than this | $49,480 |
| 25th percentile | 1 in 4 earn less than this | $60,890 |
| Median | Half earn more, half earn less | $78,210 |
| 75th percentile | 1 in 4 earn more than this | $100,400 |
| 90th percentile | 1 in 10 earn more than this | $128,920 |
Salary by location
Cost-of-living adjusted mid-level compensation.
| City | COL | Median | p90 |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | 187 | $89,130 | $138,070 |
| Los Angeles, CA | 176 | $97,310 | $149,990 |
| Chicago, IL | 107 | $79,990 | $130,020 |
| Houston, TX | 96 | $78,210 | $128,920 |
| Phoenix, AZ | 104 | $76,720 | $119,190 |
| Philadelphia, PA | 101 | $75,620 | $132,810 |
| San Antonio, TX | 90 | $69,470 | $105,420 |
| San Diego, CA | 160 | $90,070 | $133,450 |
| Dallas, TX | 103 | $74,860 | $122,480 |
| San Jose, CA | 202 | $133,700 | $182,420 |
| Austin, TX | 119 | $74,540 | $126,200 |
| Jacksonville, FL | 93 | $72,300 | $111,480 |
Salary by education
Approximate compensation by educational attainment.
| Education level | Estimated salary | vs Bachelor's |
|---|---|---|
| High School | $55,000 | -30% |
| Associate Degree | $64,000 | -18% |
| Bachelor's Degree | $78,000 | — |
| Master's Degree | $98,000 | 25% |
| Doctorate / Professional | $121,000 | 55% |
| Professional Certifications | $88,000 | 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
49/100
Moderate
Growth
62/100
Moderate
Demand
58/100
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.