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Head of Special Projects Salary in California

How much does a Head of Special Projects make in California? As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Head of Special Projects in California is $72,080 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $35.

However, a Head of Special Projects's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $99,900
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $63,268 to $86,642
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $55,246
Salary Factors Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

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Key Factors That Influence Head of Special Projects Salaries

A Head of Special Projects's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Head of Special Projects Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Head of Special Projects's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $66,452
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $67,041
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $67,867
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $72,484
  • Expert (over 8 years): $75,114
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Entry Level Head of Special Projects less than 1 year $66,452
Early Career Level Head of Special Projects 1-2 years $67,041
Mid-Level Level Head of Special Projects 2-4 years $67,867
Senior-Level Level Head of Special Projects 5-8 years $72,484
Expert Level Head of Special Projects over 8 years $75,114

How Do Head of Special Projects Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Head of Special Projects. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $72,354.
  • California: $72,080.
  • Massachusetts: $71,119.

Top Paying Cities for Head of Special Projects

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • Los Angeles: $72,204
  • West Hollywood: $72,152
  • Dodgertown: $72,203

Head of Special Projects Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Head of Special Projects's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on October 01, 2026
$63,268
Average $72,080/year
$86,642
$5,272
Average $6,007/month
$7,220
$1,217
Average $1,386/week
$1,666
$30
Average $35/hour
$42
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $86,642 $7,220 $1,666 $42
Average $72,080 $6,007 $1,386 $35
25th Percentile $63,268 $5,272 $1,217 $30

Find Your Next Head of Special Projects Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Head of Special Projects job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

  • DaVita Inc | South Gate, CA

    Sr Analyst Special Projects

    DaVita Inc | South Gate, CA

    Senior Analyst Strategy & Special Projects. DaVita is a leader in the dialysis industry with annual revenues exceeding $11 billion and over 65,000 teammate... more

    6 Days Ago

  • The Broad | Los Angeles, CA

    Exhibition Registrar of Special Projects

    The Broad | Los Angeles, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Description. THE BROAD. The Broad was established to make contemporary art accessible to the widest possible audience. Fo... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Loyola Marymount University | Los Angeles, CA

    ITS Special Projects Manager

    Loyola Marymount University | Los Angeles, CA

    ITS Special Projects Manager. The LMU Information Technology Services team enables technologically-rich learning environments, provides effective teaching ... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Encord | San Francisco, CA

    Special Projects GTM

    Encord | San Francisco, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. About us. Encord is the universal data layer for AI that helps 300+ AI teams train and run models on the right data. Our ... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Idler | San Francisco, CA

    Special Projects Operator

    Idler | San Francisco, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. About idler. idler is a frontier data research lab. We build the evals and environments that the world's leading frontier... more

    7 Days Ago

  • RimePro Inc | El Dorado Hills, CA

    Special Projects Division Manager

    RimePro Inc | El Dorado Hills, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Summary. A well-established mechanical contractor is seeking an experienced Special Projects Division Manager to lead and... more

    8 Days Ago

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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