Controller Malia M. Cohen Publishes 2024 Payroll Data for Special Districts

SACRAMENTO - State Controller Malia M. Cohen today published the 2024 self-reported payroll data for California special districts on the Government Compensation in California (GCC) website . The data covers 172,854 positions and a total of over $12.66 billion in 2024 wages with over $3.38 billion in health and retirement costs for 3,100 special districts. Sixty-eight special districts either did not file or filed a report that was non-compliant.

Special districts are governmental entities created by residents of a local community to deliver specialized services. Data for 2024 shows the top 10 districts by total wages are healthcare, transportation, electricity, water, and fire districts.

"Fiscal oversight and transparency are central to my responsibility as State Controller. Publishing the 2024 payroll data for California's special districts allows the public to see how billions in wages and benefits are managed each year," stated Controller Cohen. "The Government Compensation in California website is a critical accountability tool that helps taxpayers, policymakers, and local leaders track spending, evaluate priorities, and ensure that public resources are being used responsibly."

California law requires cities, counties, and special districts to annually report compensation data to the State Controller. The State Controller also maintains and publishes state and California State University salary data.

The GCC site contains pay and benefit information on more than two million government jobs in California, as reported annually by each entity.

Users of the site can:

• View compensation levels on maps and search by region;
• Narrow results by name of the district or by job title; and
• Export raw data or custom reports.

As the chief fiscal officer of California, Controller Cohen independently oversees and manages California's financial resources with integrity and transparency to build trust. The Controller is responsible for accountability and disbursement of the state's financial resources. The Controller has independent auditing authority over government agencies that spend state funds. She is a member of numerous financing authorities, and fiscal and financial oversight entities including the Franchise Tax Board. She also serves on the boards for the nation's two largest public pension funds. Follow the Controller on X at @CAController and on Facebook at California State Controller's Office .

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