Image by BenScripps at Pixabay.com.
Of the 462 California city managers for which 2023 wage data was available, the statewide top 25 included six in from Los Angeles County. Although Montebello ranked number one in the state in 2022, due to a $1 million lump-sum payment to a former city manager, it fell to 22nd place in 2023. Likewise in 2022, Palmdale's outgoing city manager received $719,484, of which $632,810 was a lump-sum payment, however, that city manager's pay fell to 141st place in the state in 2023 (not making it into the list below). The highest pay in Los Angeles County to a sitting city manager in 2023 was $639,326, paid in the City of Commerce. By comparison, the regular wages of the City Administrative Officer of Los Angeles (that city's equivalent to a city manager) was $372,980 in 2023 - serving a city with 315 times the population of the City of Commerce. Even the Governor of California earned a relatively cheap $201,553 in 2023.
Ranked in order of compensation, highest to lowest
| City | Total Wages | Rank in California (of 462 cities) |
|---|---|---|
| City of Commerce | $639,326 | 1 |
| Pomona | $584,525 | 3 |
| Inglewood | $503,737 | 8 |
| Beverly Hills | $477,790 | 10 |
| Pasadena | $429,131 | 15 |
| Montebello | $403,850 | 22 |
| Carson | $394,925 | 26 |
| Culver City | $380,560 | 33 |
| Santa Monica | $377,589 | 36 |
| Torrance | $375,994 | 37 |
Source: Government Compensation in California
