California Controller Releases 2025 Public Higher Education Payroll Data

The data highlights a significant gap in transparency between academic systems. While all 10 University of California campuses achieved a 100 percent reporting rate—continuing a streak maintained since 2013—the state’s community college districts showed inconsistent compliance. Of the 73 districts, 37 failed to submit complete reports, with 26 districts filing nothing at all.

Financial figures from the UC system show that medical professionals dominate the top-earner bracket, occupying 42 of the 50 highest-paid spots. Within the top 15 earners, compensation is split between medical staff and athletics personnel. Average wages for the system’s 10 highest-paid employees grew by 17 percent over the last five years, climbing from $3.14 million in 2021 to $3.69 million in 2025.

UCLA led the UC system in workforce size with 74,519 positions, while the Los Angeles Community College District reported the largest staff count among community colleges at 11,182. Cohen emphasized that the transparency initiative aims to provide taxpayers with a clear view of how public funds sustain campus operations and personnel.