#United States #Sacramento #University of California #California Community Colleges #Malia Cohen

California State Controller Releases 2025 Payroll Data

On October 2, 2026, Malia M. Cohen, the California State Controller, unveiled the self-reported payroll data for higher education institutions for the year 2025. This information, now made accessible on the Government Compensation in California website, includes detailed statistics from both the University of California (UC) and the California Community College Districts (CCD).

The comprehensive report covers a staggering 451,244 positions, representing over $34 billion in salaries and more than $6 billion in contributions towards retirement and healthcare. The total compensation provided to these institutions exceeds $40.1 billion.

A Detailed Breakdown

University of California (UC)

The UC system, encompassing ten campuses along with the Office of the President, accounted for 357,167 positions. They reported more than $29.2 billion in salary distributions and nearly $4.5 billion for retirement and healthcare contributions, aggregating a total compensation of over $33.7 billion. Notably, UC has consistently maintained a 100% reporting rate since they joined the program as voluntary participants in 2013.

Among the UC campuses, UCLA recorded the highest number of positions with 74,519, followed closely by UC San Diego with 54,598. Moreover, the data reveals that 42 out of the top 50 highest-paid individuals in the UC system work in the medical field, with salaries of prominent figures demonstrating a significant increase; the average salary of the ten highest-paid employees rose over 17% in a five-year span, from $3.14 billion in 2021 to $3.69 billion in 2025.

California Community Colleges (CCD)

Out of the seventy-three CCDs in California, thirty-six provided complete reports, covering 94,077 positions and recording over $4.8 billion in salaries alongside $1.5 billion in contributions for retirement and medical benefits, culminating in a total compensation exceeding $6.3 billion. However, twenty-six districts did not submit reports, and eleven provided incomplete data.

As stated by Controller Cohen, "Our public colleges and universities open doors to opportunities, and Californians deserve to know how public funds support this mission." She emphasized the importance of transparency and the continuous reporting commitment by UC. Cohen also urged all community college districts to participate fully in reporting, ensuring that the public can see the complete investment made in the personnel responsible for operating the campuses and aiding students’ success.

The highest number of positions reported by a CCD was from the Los Angeles Community College District, which had 11,182 positions, followed by the Los Rios Community College District with 7,154 positions.

Legislative Context

California legislation requires that cities, counties, and special districts report annual compensation data to the State Controller’s Office (SCO). This initiative includes payroll data from state departments and the California State University system while also soliciting voluntary reports from other public entities. The Government Compensation in California website allows the public to search for salary and benefits information by employer and position, providing visual and customizable reports that enhance accessibility.

In the role of California's financial overseer, Malia M. Cohen ensures the responsible management of state resources with transparency and integrity, playing a vital role in promoting public trust. She actively participates in various financial oversight organizations and serves on the boards of two major public pension funds in the U.S. To keep the public informed, individuals can follow the Controller on social media platforms like Twitter and Instagram at @CAController and @CaliforniaController.

For more information, visit the Government Compensation in California website.