Of the 548 California city managers for which 2022 wage data was available, the statewide top 20 included nine from Los Angeles County. Montebello ranked number one in the state due to a $1 million lump-sum payment to a former city manager. Likewise, Palmdale's outgoing city manager received $719,484, of which $632,810 was a lump-sum payment. The most regular wages paid in Los Angeles County to a sitting city manager in 2022 was $478,497, paid in Beverly Hills. By comparison, the regular wages of the City Administrative Officer of Los Angeles (that city's equivalent to a city manager) was $319,351 in 2022, falling short of a spot in the list below. Even the Governor of California earned a relatively cheap $201,553 that year.
Ranked in order of compensation, highest to lowest
| City | Total Wages |
|---|---|
| Montebello | $1,000,000 lump-sum payment to former city manager. $393,533 to successor. |
| Palmdale | $719,484 (included $632,810 lump-sum payment) to former city manager. $352,764 to successor. |
| Beverly Hills | $478,497 |
| Carson | $417,611 (included $363,579 lump-sum payment) to former city manager. $355,455 to successor. |
| Downey | $411,248 |
| Rosemead | $403,797 |
| San Marino | $390,712 |
| Inglewood | $388,922 |
| Culver City | $368,275 |
| Santa Monica | $367,892 |
| Lancaster | $352,953 |
| Norwalk | $346,824 |
| Arcadia | $343,279 |
| Vernon | $343,235 |
| Torrance | $340,427 |
| Long Beach | $338,361 |
| Burbank | $335,712 |
| Pomona | $325,033 |
| West Hollywood | $324,636 |
| Glendale | $323,151 |
Source: Government Compensation in California
