Financial manager salary in California
The median financial manager in California earns $180,770 a year, or $86.91 an hour, in the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ May 2025 survey. That is 9% above the national median of $166,570, and 8th of the 54 states and territories BLS publishes.
The middle half of California’s 93,310 financial managers earn between $136,030 and $269,990. The highest paying metro area in the state is San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, at $225,280.
Liaison does the routine half of a financial manager’s job for 3% of what one costs in California. See how.
Financial manager salary by city in California
Every metro area in California where BLS publishes a median for financial managers, highest first. A metro that crosses a state line appears under each of its states.
| Metro area | Median annual | Median hourly | Middle half earns | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $225,280 | $108.31 | $176,900 to $327,840 | 7,970 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $216,150 | $103.92 | $166,790 to $314,940 | 17,040 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $175,310 | $84.28 | $136,100 to $251,430 | 34,480 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $174,210 | $83.76 | $133,960 to $235,400 | 7,350 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $169,900 | $81.69 | $129,810 to $225,440 | 1,330 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $165,800 | $79.71 | $130,860 to $216,610 | 400 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $164,270 | $78.98 | $111,580 to $212,540 | 760 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $164,140 | $78.91 | $127,100 to $216,020 | 800 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $163,090 | $78.41 | $126,590 to $212,610 | 4,840 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $160,230 | $77.04 | $120,130 to $208,880 | 4,120 |
| Modesto, CA | $160,180 | $77.01 | $109,800 to $207,400 | 600 |
| Vallejo, CA | $157,530 | $75.74 | $117,490 to $202,490 | 460 |
| Salinas, CA | $153,370 | $73.73 | $119,990 to $191,500 | 450 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $153,030 | $73.57 | $114,760 to $196,210 | 900 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $152,090 | $73.12 | $109,550 to $201,790 | 790 |
| Yuba City, CA | $148,640 | $71.46 | $109,920 to $189,600 | 140 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $140,670 | $67.63 | $108,520 to $187,350 | 420 |
| Visalia, CA | $138,630 | $66.65 | $105,990 to $184,260 | 370 |
| Redding, CA | $138,350 | $66.51 | $103,320 to $178,500 | 230 |
| Fresno, CA | $137,650 | $66.18 | $110,840 to $187,460 | 1,370 |
| Merced, CA | $134,170 | $64.51 | $104,360 to $190,280 | 210 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | $131,320 | $63.14 | $100,610 to $172,180 | 100 |
| Chico, CA | $130,600 | $62.79 | $102,750 to $174,850 | 260 |
| El Centro, CA | $129,480 | $62.25 | $96,820 to $172,930 | 130 |
What a financial manager costs an employer in California
Wages are the start. At employers with fewer than 50 workers, benefits add 35% on top (BLS Employer Costs for Employee Compensation), so a financial manager at the California median costs about $244,100 a year. The employer’s view for every state and metro is on what a financial manager costs, and the routine part of the job is what Liaison does inside the tools a business already runs.
The routine half of a financial manager’s job, for 3% of what one costs in California.
- Watches cash, receivables, payables and margin every morning, from the books and the bank.
- Forecasts cash 30, 60 and 90 days out from how customers actually pay.
- Answers “can we make payroll Friday” with the numbers behind it.
Professional is $629 a month, $7,548 a year, against about $244,100 a year for a financial manager at the California median once benefits are added. On Professional we connect your tools, bring your data in and set up the first rules with you. Anything that moves money waits for your yes.
“Cut our month-end close from 4 days to 4 hours.” Marcus C., owner
$629 a month, or $500 a month on a 12-month term. Prefer to start on your own? Starter is $149 a month, self-serve, with a free trial first: 7 days, no card. More: AI CFO.
Questions
How much does a financial manager make in California?
The median financial manager in California earned $180,770 a year, or $86.91 an hour, in May 2025. The middle half earned between $136,030 and $269,990. Nationally the median is $166,570, so California pays 9% more than the country as a whole.
Which cities in California pay financial managers the most?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($225,280), San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA ($216,150) and Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($175,310).
What does a financial manager cost an employer in California?
Benefits at employers with fewer than 50 workers add 35% on top of wages, so a financial manager at the California median costs about $244,100 a year. The employer’s view is at useliaison.com/back-office-costs/financial-manager.
Financial manager salary in other states
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, occupation 11-3031. Annual figures assume 2,080 hours a year. Updated 2026-10-02.
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