Controller Malia M. Cohen Expands Transparency with 2024 Higher Education Payroll Data
Oct 02, 2025 02:53PM ● By California State Controller's Office News Release
Payroll data for University of California Institutions and California Community College Districts is now available on the Government Compensation in California website as of Oct. 1. Photo courtesy of iStock
SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - On Oct. 1, State Controller Malia M. Cohen published the 2024 self-reported payroll data for University of California (UC) institutions and California Community College District (CCD) districts on the Government Compensation in California (GCC) website. The newly released data covers 457,615 positions and approximately $31.15 billion in total wages.
All 11 University of California institutions — including 10 campuses and the Office of the President — voluntarily filed compliant reports with the State Controller’s Office (SCO). University of California data includes 352,807 employees and more than $25.92 billion in total wages.
Thirty-nine California Community College Districts voluntarily submitted compliant reports to the State Controller’s Office. The published California Community College Districts data covers 104,808 employees and nearly $5.23 billion in total wages. Twenty-four districts did not file a report, and 10 districts filed reports that were not compliant.
“Transparency is essential to building public trust in government. By publishing this payroll data, we are giving Californians direct access to information about how public dollars are spent at our universities and community colleges,” said Controller Cohen. “This empowers taxpayers, students, and policymakers alike to make informed decisions and ensures accountability at every level of government.”
California law requires cities, counties and special districts to annually report compensation data to the State Controller’s Office. State Controller’s Office also maintains and publishes payroll data for state departments and California State University, as well as solicits compensation data voluntarily from superior courts, the University of California, community college districts, K–12 education, First 5 Commissions, and fairs and expositions.
The Government Compensation in California website contains pay and benefit information for 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 district name or 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.













