California · 2025 pay
How much do Kern County employees make?
$67,624typical pay, counting everyone paid in 2025
$48,138 – $99,201what most people earned
Includes everyone paid during 2025, including part-year and seasonal workers. The source doesn't show who worked the full year.
California State Controller's Office publishes pay by position without employee names, so there is no name search here.
Common jobs: Human Services Technician IIIOffice Services TechnicianSocial Service Worker III
✓ Official data from California State Controller's OfficeMatches the agency's latest releasesco.ca.gov ↗
How is pay spread across workers?
A year of pay for a lower-paid, typical and higher-paid worker (counting everyone paid), and the top earner, split into regular pay, overtime and extra pay.
$47,964
$67,435
$99,359
$402,277
Lower-paid workerearns more than 1 in 4 coworkers
Typical workerright in the middle
Higher-paid workerearns more than 3 in 4 coworkers
Highest paidone person
Regular payOvertimeExtra pay
Is pay going up?
Yes. Typical pay went from $54,361 in 2022 to $67,624 in 2025 (+24%).
What changed since 2024
- +8.7%Typical pay went up from $62,194 to $67,624.
- −99,584 people were paid in 2025, compared with 9,593 in 2024.
- +24%Since 2022, typical pay has gone from $54,361 to $67,624, while the number of people paid went up from 8,877 to 9,584.
The next update is expected in late 2027.
Pay slip · 2025
A typical worker's year
Kern County
4years of
official data
2022–2025
official data
2022–2025
| Regular pay | $59,455 |
|---|---|
| Overtime | $2,729 |
| Extra pay | $5,252 |
| Total for the year | $67,435 |
Average of the 477 workers in the middle of the pay range. Does not include benefits.
Matches the agency's latest release
Worth knowing about pay at Kern County
What stands out in the payroll data, checked against the rest of our data before it is shown.
- 9¢
Of every dollar Kern County paid in 2025, about 9 cents was overtime.
Usual among the 23 other counties in California in our data: about 6 cents. 3rd highest of 24.
The data shows what was paid, not why. Overtime is pay for hours beyond the regular schedule.
- +34%
Since 2022, total pay at Kern County went up 34% while the number of people paid went up 8%.
Counts everyone paid during each year. Not adjusted for inflation.
Pay by job
Jobs held by 5 or more people in 2025.
| Job | People | Typical pay | Most earn | Since 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Human Services Technician III | 406 | $61,290 | $56k – $67k | ▲ 3.3% |
| Office Services Technician | 318 | $45,523 | $30k – $50k | ▲ 6.8% |
| Social Service Worker III | 298 | $78,327 | $70k – $83k | ▲ 7.2% |
| Sheriff's Detentions Deputy | 269 | $102,060 | $86k – $117k | ▲ 7.4% |
| Deputy Sheriff II | 250 | $103,318 | $85k – $118k | ▼ 5.6% |
| Fire Captain-C | 190 | $196,108 | $168k – $219k | ▲ 0.6% |
| Fiscal Support Specialist | 148 | $56,188 | $52k – $60k | ▲ 8.8% |
| Human Services Technician II | 142 | $51,483 | $42k – $54k | ▲ 9.2% |
| Fire Engineer-C | 137 | $156,966 | $137k – $179k | ▼ 4.2% |
| Office Services Assistant | 127 | $28,435 | $14k – $40k | ▼ 2.1% |
| Mental Health Therapist I | 125 | $78,702 | $64k – $86k | ▲ 8.9% |
| Health Care Office Services Technician | 125 | $54,659 | $49k – $58k | new |
| Departmental Aide | 117 | $16,086 | $5k – $19k | ▲ 50.1% |
| Juvenile Corrections Officer II | 116 | $70,670 | $58k – $80k | ▲ 3.9% |
| Human Services Supervisor | 108 | $79,255 | $72k – $86k | ▲ 4.3% |
| Sheriff's Aide | 103 | $64,987 | $60k – $73k | ▲ 6.9% |
| Child Support Officer III | 95 | $58,836 | $56k – $64k | ▲ 7.4% |
| Mental Health Recovery Specialist III | 94 | $79,882 | $71k – $86k | ▲ 3.6% |
| Social Service Worker II | 94 | $62,170 | $45k – $68k | ▲ 2.8% |
| Firefighter-C | 90 | $120,426 | $108k – $145k | ▼ 2.2% |
| Administrative Coordinator | 89 | $73,740 | $68k – $76k | ▲ 11.9% |
| Deputy Sheriff II-C-a | 85 | $133,137 | $122k – $156k | ▼ 0.9% |
| Office Services Specialist | 84 | $53,481 | $44k – $56k | ▲ 9.1% |
| Mental Health Recovery Specialist II | 83 | $66,242 | $58k – $72k | ▲ 5.5% |
| Firefighter | 79 | $104,974 | $98k – $115k | ▲ 13.2% |
| Mental Health Recovery Specialist I | 77 | $58,291 | $53k – $67k | ▲ 14.5% |
| Sheriff's Sergeant-C-a | 74 | $183,950 | $163k – $214k | ▼ 3.3% |
| Per Diem Elections Process Aide | 74 | $852 | $0k – $2k | ▼ 68.9% |
| Senior Deputy Sheriff-C-a | 70 | $155,663 | $146k – $183k | ▼ 2.3% |
| Fiscal Support Technician | 69 | $47,712 | $34k – $51k | ▲ 11.4% |
| Public Works Maintenance Worker I | 68 | $53,837 | $35k – $59k | ▲ 24.4% |
| Social Service Supervisor I | 66 | $96,935 | $88k – $105k | ▲ 5.3% |
| Child Support Officer II | 65 | $18,259 | $11k – $47k | ▼ 26.5% |
| Social Service Worker V | 62 | $93,795 | $84k – $100k | ▲ 5.4% |
| Deputy Probation Officer II | 58 | $80,323 | $72k – $86k | ▲ 9.6% |
| Building Services Worker III | 58 | $40,514 | $22k – $46k | ▲ 8.6% |
| Deputy Sheriff II-C | 57 | $135,720 | $116k – $149k | ▲ 3.2% |
| Social Service Worker I | 57 | $29,947 | $10k – $53k | ▼ 37.8% |
| Sheriff Records Specialist | 56 | $55,630 | $38k – $63k | ▲ 6.1% |
| Human Services Technician I | 55 | $17,676 | $11k – $25k | ▲ 1.6% |
| Public Works Maintenance Worker III | 52 | $69,365 | $62k – $74k | ▲ 3.4% |
| Seasonal Firefighter I | 52 | $6,956 | $5k – $49k | ▼ 89.7% |
| Deputy Probation Officer II-C | 50 | $87,955 | $79k – $98k | ▲ 5.4% |
| Public Works Maintenance Worker II | 48 | $60,423 | $49k – $64k | ▲ 10.9% |
| Mental Health Therapist II | 47 | $94,367 | $85k – $102k | ▲ 9.0% |
| Deputy Probation Officer III-C-a | 46 | $109,453 | $99k – $129k | ▲ 7.1% |
| Eligibility Worker | 46 | $27,381 | $6k – $42k | ▲ 26.2% |
| Deputy Probation Officer II-C-a | 45 | $92,948 | $89k – $101k | ▲ 6.1% |
| Substance Abuse Specialist II | 45 | $59,764 | $45k – $65k | ▲ 5.1% |
| Mental Health Unit Supervisor | 43 | $123,814 | $113k – $141k | ▼ 1.8% |
| Wildland Firefighter | 43 | $89,315 | $78k – $105k | new |
| Accountant III | 42 | $86,277 | $78k – $91k | ▲ 9.9% |
| Sheriff's Support Technician | 42 | $43,082 | $25k – $48k | ▲ 6.0% |
| Public Health Nurse II | 40 | $134,688 | $131k – $145k | ▲ 1.5% |
| Agricultural Biologist/Weights and Measures | 40 | $69,134 | $54k – $78k | ▲ 9.5% |
| Juvenile Corrections Officer I | 40 | $48,168 | $15k – $64k | ▲ 23.2% |
| Program Specialist II | 39 | $66,976 | $61k – $71k | ▲ 5.1% |
| Youth Care Specialist | 39 | $58,935 | $53k – $64k | new |
| Library Associate | 39 | $46,889 | $34k – $50k | ▲ 19.4% |
| Fiscal Support Supervisor | 37 | $67,774 | $63k – $72k | ▲ 5.5% |
| Animal Care Worker | 37 | $37,520 | $13k – $41k | ▲ 41.9% |
| Engineering Technician III | 36 | $82,913 | $78k – $89k | ▲ 12.3% |
| Legal Process Technician II | 36 | $46,797 | $39k – $49k | ▲ 14.6% |
| Legal Secretary | 35 | $52,350 | $50k – $55k | ▲ 15.2% |
| Assistant Program Director | 34 | $113,008 | $105k – $119k | ▲ 9.6% |
| Deputy Public Defender V | 33 | $181,279 | $176k – $196k | ▲ 6.1% |
| Maintenance Worker III | 33 | $44,463 | $25k – $52k | ▲ 35.7% |
| Job Developer II | 32 | $68,344 | $66k – $70k | ▲ 8.4% |
| Per Diem Senior Nutrition Program Driver | 32 | $14,492 | $10k – $21k | ▲ 19.2% |
| Program Technician | 31 | $47,224 | $44k – $53k | ▲ 3.8% |
| Social Service Supervisor II | 30 | $108,029 | $95k – $129k | ▲ 1.1% |
| Fire Battalion Chief-C | 29 | $229,778 | $208k – $253k | ▲ 6.0% |
| Vocational Nurse II | 29 | $81,492 | $64k – $98k | ▲ 6.6% |
| Seasonal Firefighter II | 29 | $68,988 | $19k – $75k | ▼ 10.6% |
| Sheriff's Detentions Senior Deputy | 28 | $125,398 | $109k – $149k | ▲ 1.1% |
| Public Works Maintenance Supervisor | 28 | $92,625 | $87k – $96k | ▲ 6.7% |
| Accountant I | 28 | $66,183 | $61k – $72k | ▲ 3.7% |
| Maintenance Worker IV | 28 | $64,377 | $60k – $69k | ▲ 5.1% |
| Deputy District Attorney V | 27 | $183,829 | $158k – $202k | ▲ 1.5% |
| Sheriff's Detentions Sergeant | 25 | $145,575 | $132k – $156k | ▲ 3.7% |
| Deputy Probation Officer III-C | 25 | $106,400 | $104k – $123k | ▲ 6.7% |
| Engineer II | 25 | $102,523 | $94k – $110k | ▲ 8.5% |
| Technical Support Engineer II | 25 | $93,317 | $82k – $99k | ▲ 8.8% |
| Systems Analyst I | 25 | $85,932 | $82k – $88k | ▲ 8.3% |
| Technical Support Specialist II | 25 | $69,415 | $67k – $73k | ▲ 11.4% |
| Senior Office Services Specialist | 25 | $58,870 | $52k – $61k | ▲ 4.8% |
| Health Care Program Technician | 25 | $55,733 | $52k – $59k | new |
| District Attorney's Investigator III-C-a | 24 | $151,276 | $143k – $167k | ▲ 4.6% |
| Fire Engineer | 24 | $144,262 | $114k – $159k | ▲ 8.6% |
| Departmental Analyst II | 24 | $67,633 | $64k – $76k | ▲ 7.5% |
| Park Ranger I | 24 | $59,587 | $21k – $87k | ▲ 16.5% |
| Disposal Site Gate Attendant II | 23 | $55,259 | $48k – $58k | ▲ 18.6% |
| Child Support Customer Service Representative | 23 | $46,136 | $45k – $48k | ▲ 10.7% |
| Seasonal Firefighter III | 22 | $65,142 | $6k – $80k | ▼ 25.2% |
| Investigative Aide | 22 | $51,575 | $34k – $54k | ▲ 9.5% |
| Sheriff's Community Services Technician | 22 | $42,364 | $21k – $60k | ▼ 23.6% |
| Sheriff's Detentions Deputy Trainee | 22 | $7,610 | $2k – $8k | new |
| Public Works Maintenance Technician II | 21 | $77,035 | $68k – $80k | ▲ 5.1% |
| Heavy Equipment Mechanic | 21 | $66,264 | $18k – $83k | ▲ 9.0% |
| Engineering Aide III | 21 | $62,296 | $54k – $67k | ▲ 3.2% |
| Technical Support Specialist I | 21 | $50,590 | $36k – $61k | ▲ 0.9% |
| Public Works Maintenance Technician I | 21 | $40,547 | $20k – $61k | ▼ 29.8% |
| Agricultural/Weights and Measures Aide-Ex | 21 | $22,655 | $15k – $29k | ▲ 21.5% |
| Sheriff's Lieutenant-C M | 20 | $190,719 | $186k – $199k | ▲ 8.8% |
| Deputy District Attorney IV | 20 | $152,035 | $143k – $161k | ▲ 10.1% |
| Human Services Program Director | 20 | $139,824 | $132k – $152k | ▲ 4.7% |
| Juvenile Corrections Officer III | 20 | $90,658 | $81k – $107k | ▲ 11.8% |
| Probation Program Specialist | 20 | $60,883 | $53k – $65k | ▲ 11.9% |
| Extra Help Youth Care Specialist | 20 | $39,307 | $36k – $56k | new |
| Human Services Program Specialist | 19 | $120,726 | $112k – $143k | ▼ 1.0% |
| Systems Analyst II | 19 | $98,574 | $93k – $105k | ▲ 6.1% |
| Program Support Supervisor | 19 | $77,034 | $74k – $81k | ▲ 6.3% |
| Child Support Officer IV | 19 | $68,666 | $66k – $74k | ▲ 8.0% |
| Medical Assistant | 19 | $59,103 | $46k – $61k | ▲ 3.5% |
| Groundskeeper II | 19 | $24,816 | $18k – $40k | ▲ 7.6% |
| Deputy County Counsel V | 18 | $195,928 | $176k – $200k | ▲ 13.0% |
| Probation Supervisor-C-a | 18 | $117,247 | $104k – $131k | ▲ 10.7% |
| Juvenile Corrections Officer III-C | 18 | $90,945 | $86k – $104k | ▲ 4.2% |
| Deputy Probation Officer I | 18 | $64,603 | $56k – $80k | ▲ 1.2% |
| Sheriff's Support Specialist | 18 | $54,155 | $35k – $58k | ▲ 10.3% |
| Paralegal | 18 | $46,138 | $21k – $62k | ▼ 17.0% |
| Social Service Worker IV | 18 | $36,881 | $7k – $76k | ▲ 19.1% |
| Lifeguard | 18 | $6,886 | $6k – $8k | ▲ 104.8% |
| Juvenile Corrections Officer III-C-a | 17 | $98,833 | $96k – $113k | ▼ 0.1% |
| Code Compliance Officer | 17 | $82,068 | $78k – $89k | ▲ 7.4% |
| Juvenile Corrections Cook | 17 | $52,458 | $43k – $66k | ▼ 0.0% |
| Supervising Child Support Officer | 16 | $80,572 | $77k – $86k | ▲ 6.0% |
| Marketing and Promotions Associate | 16 | $64,022 | $59k – $66k | ▲ 8.2% |
| Appraiser II | 16 | $62,510 | $60k – $67k | ▲ 8.4% |
| Health Care Office Services Specialist | 16 | $55,472 | $46k – $58k | new |
| Medical Investigator | 16 | $50,421 | $34k – $54k | ▲ 19.4% |
| Deputy Public Defender IV | 15 | $153,315 | $144k – $156k | ▲ 11.2% |
| Local Area Network Systems Administrator | 15 | $116,209 | $110k – $120k | ▲ 8.4% |
| Public Health Project Specialist | 15 | $58,074 | $56k – $64k | ▲ 8.7% |
| Mental Health Recovery Specialist Aide | 15 | $50,252 | $48k – $52k | ▲ 21.0% |
| Assessment Technician | 15 | $43,771 | $30k – $50k | ▼ 0.8% |
| Law Clerk | 15 | $10,114 | $9k – $12k | ▲ 3.3% |
| Deputy Sheriff Trainee | 15 | $1,879 | $2k – $8k | ▼ 91.7% |
| Behavioral Health Nurse III | 14 | $157,050 | $144k – $179k | ▲ 13.3% |
| Senior Deputy Sheriff-C | 14 | $145,702 | $133k – $160k | ▼ 4.1% |
| Business Manager | 14 | $92,863 | $90k – $103k | ▲ 5.2% |
| Technical Support Engineer I | 14 | $79,513 | $72k – $86k | ▲ 3.7% |
| Planner II | 14 | $74,601 | $72k – $77k | ▲ 13.9% |
| Senior Paralegal | 14 | $71,647 | $70k – $73k | ▲ 6.1% |
| Animal Control Officer | 14 | $66,961 | $48k – $76k | ▲ 4.8% |
| Cook II | 14 | $31,853 | $18k – $40k | ▲ 4.6% |
| Mental Health Planning Analyst | 13 | $71,891 | $61k – $73k | ▲ 10.3% |
| Planner I | 13 | $64,342 | $60k – $66k | ▲ 11.4% |
| Senior Human Resources Specialist | 13 | $61,868 | $59k – $68k | ▲ 22.9% |
| Behavioral Health Peer Specialist | 13 | $49,065 | $36k – $53k | ▲ 43.7% |
| Groundskeeper III | 13 | $48,961 | $39k – $50k | ▲ 13.5% |
| Victim/Witness Services Specialist I | 13 | $46,295 | $31k – $55k | ▼ 7.5% |
| Deputy District Attorney I | 13 | $44,725 | $25k – $74k | ▼ 47.2% |
| Senior Systems Analyst | 12 | $116,456 | $112k – $121k | ▲ 6.9% |
| Technology Services Supervisor | 12 | $116,286 | $111k – $118k | ▲ 6.8% |
| Environmental Health Specialist III | 12 | $97,674 | $92k – $109k | ▲ 7.4% |
| Fire Dispatcher II | 12 | $94,172 | $91k – $102k | ▲ 1.9% |
| Deputy Coroner | 12 | $92,037 | $80k – $104k | ▲ 0.5% |
| Fire Equipment Mechanic | 12 | $85,280 | $78k – $100k | ▲ 2.5% |
| Sheriff's Dispatcher II | 12 | $83,472 | $64k – $102k | ▲ 6.9% |
| Contract Administrator | 12 | $80,138 | $53k – $82k | ▲ 11.2% |
| Technical Support Specialist III | 12 | $73,225 | $69k – $76k | ▲ 10.1% |
| Criminalist I | 12 | $70,885 | $64k – $74k | ▲ 44.0% |
| Environmental Health Specialist I | 12 | $63,158 | $52k – $66k | new |
| Program Specialist I | 12 | $60,622 | $58k – $62k | ▲ 15.3% |
| Health Education Assistant I | 12 | $60,482 | $56k – $63k | ▲ 111.5% |
| First Responder Medical Unit Operator | 12 | $56,008 | $2k – $61k | ▲ 46.8% |
| Highway Painter | 12 | $54,382 | $49k – $60k | ▲ 9.8% |
| Student Intern I | 12 | $6,513 | $5k – $8k | new |
| Sheriff's Commander-C-M | 11 | $219,880 | $218k – $222k | ▲ 7.7% |
| Sheriff's Detentions Lieutenant | 11 | $143,146 | $142k – $151k | ▲ 1.5% |
| Engineer III | 11 | $120,644 | $110k – $132k | ▲ 0.4% |
| Supervising Mental Health Clinician | 11 | $106,126 | $104k – $130k | ▲ 10.3% |
| Mental Health Nurse I | 11 | $97,390 | $71k – $121k | ▲ 4.9% |
| Juvenile Corrections Officer II-C-a | 11 | $88,391 | $82k – $91k | ▲ 3.2% |
| Sheriff Records Supervisor | 11 | $63,197 | $60k – $73k | ▼ 1.5% |
| Fire Prevention Inspector I | 11 | $62,095 | $28k – $77k | ▼ 0.6% |
| Sheriff's Dispatch Assistant | 11 | $59,577 | $32k – $81k | ▲ 25.6% |
| Senior Probation Technician | 11 | $59,421 | $58k – $61k | ▲ 8.0% |
| Light Vehicle Driver | 11 | $44,730 | $32k – $51k | ▼ 4.1% |
| Substance Abuse Specialist I | 11 | $41,001 | $35k – $54k | ▲ 11.1% |
| Extra Help Youth Care Associate | 11 | $31,283 | $28k – $38k | new |
| Behavioral Health and Recovery System Administrator | 10 | $171,142 | $170k – $172k | ▲ 5.1% |
| Probation Division Director | 10 | $143,571 | $139k – $152k | ▲ 1.1% |
| Network Systems Administrator | 10 | $117,432 | $113k – $165k | ▼ 2.4% |
| Behavioral Health Program Supervisor | 10 | $101,477 | $99k – $107k | ▲ 8.0% |
| Deputy Conservator | 10 | $89,583 | $83k – $92k | ▲ 5.1% |
| First Responder Paramedic | 10 | $82,992 | $71k – $89k | ▲ 87.2% |
| Building Inspector | 10 | $75,139 | $51k – $82k | ▲ 2.2% |
| Per Diem Background Investigator | 10 | $56,845 | $39k – $72k | ▼ 13.5% |
| Health Care Fiscal Support Technician | 10 | $54,711 | $34k – $55k | new |
| Building Plans Technician | 10 | $39,622 | $8k – $59k | ▼ 23.7% |
| Supervisor's Field Representative II | 10 | $31,948 | $28k – $41k | ▼ 3.4% |
| Per Diem Nurse II | 10 | $21,685 | $13k – $49k | ▼ 14.0% |
| Behavioral Health Therapist Trainee | 10 | $18,568 | $8k – $75k | ▼ 69.3% |
| Park Ranger Trainee | 10 | $4,623 | $4k – $9k | new |
| Public Health Nurse III | 9 | $161,495 | $129k – $168k | ▲ 8.4% |
| Information Technology Services Manager | 9 | $132,954 | $133k – $134k | ▲ 4.3% |
| Probation Supervisor-C | 9 | $120,102 | $106k – $126k | ▲ 9.6% |
| Senior Deputy Sheriff | 9 | $118,679 | $111k – $126k | ▼ 11.8% |
| General Services Manager | 9 | $115,016 | $98k – $123k | ▲ 0.0% |
| Public Health Program Manager | 9 | $108,432 | $99k – $116k | ▲ 10.3% |
| Deputy District Attorney III | 9 | $107,310 | $60k – $109k | ▲ 65.2% |
| Administrative Services Officer | 9 | $100,901 | $95k – $114k | ▼ 6.1% |
| Waste Management Specialist III | 9 | $98,956 | $91k – $101k | ▲ 7.2% |
| Juvenile Corrections Officer II-C | 9 | $79,314 | $70k – $86k | ▲ 0.7% |
| Investigative Specialist | 9 | $69,829 | $62k – $79k | ▼ 4.9% |
| Senior Highway Painter | 9 | $61,441 | $57k – $63k | new |
| Sheriff's Dispatcher I | 9 | $52,435 | $24k – $63k | ▲ 58.1% |
| Engineering Manager | 8 | $169,748 | $167k – $170k | ▲ 6.6% |
| Public Works Manager | 8 | $145,548 | $140k – $151k | ▲ 1.1% |
| Sheriff's Senior Dispatcher | 8 | $118,899 | $112k – $123k | ▲ 7.1% |
| Public Works Maintenance Superintendent | 8 | $109,001 | $106k – $116k | ▲ 9.7% |
| Supervising Planner | 8 | $102,192 | $96k – $104k | ▲ 12.2% |
| Senior Public Defender's Investigator | 8 | $99,698 | $100k – $106k | ▲ 7.1% |
| Emergency Medical Services Coordinator | 8 | $84,037 | $82k – $90k | ▲ 2.5% |
| Public Health Program Specialist | 8 | $83,062 | $81k – $85k | ▲ 11.6% |
| Building Inspector-C | 8 | $81,352 | $79k – $85k | new |
| Human Resources Analyst | 8 | $78,182 | $78k – $80k | ▲ 5.9% |
| Senior Legal Secretary | 8 | $67,690 | $66k – $69k | ▲ 7.1% |
| Air Conditioning Mechanic | 8 | $65,516 | $64k – $82k | ▲ 7.1% |
| Sheriff's Program Specialist | 8 | $62,857 | $56k – $72k | ▼ 7.1% |
| Supervisor's Field Representative III | 8 | $52,332 | $46k – $56k | ▼ 11.9% |
| Automotive Mechanic I | 8 | $48,208 | $38k – $52k | ▲ 9.5% |
| Child Support Specialist I | 8 | $45,741 | $38k – $47k | ▲ 97.4% |
| Senior Nutrition Site Coordinator | 8 | $42,928 | $34k – $44k | ▲ 8.2% |
| Elections Process Clerk II | 8 | $42,560 | $23k – $51k | ▲ 9.2% |
| Stock Clerk | 8 | $35,121 | $25k – $42k | ▲ 5.0% |
| Mail Clerk | 8 | $23,259 | $7k – $39k | ▲ 13.2% |
| Criminalist III | 7 | $122,181 | $119k – $130k | ▲ 4.6% |
| Senior Appraiser | 7 | $91,225 | $89k – $94k | ▲ 6.6% |
| Planner III | 7 | $85,853 | $84k – $94k | ▼ 1.5% |
| Fire Dispatcher I | 7 | $82,240 | $72k – $85k | ▲ 3.1% |
| Evidence Technician II | 7 | $79,377 | $78k – $101k | new |
| Senior Paralegal-Confidential | 7 | $72,853 | $61k – $74k | ▲ 5.7% |
| Senior Human Resources Specialist - Confidential | 7 | $69,632 | $69k – $73k | ▲ 14.4% |
| Maintenance Electrician | 7 | $63,181 | $60k – $67k | ▲ 7.8% |
| Office Services Coordinator | 7 | $58,654 | $47k – $65k | ▲ 2.6% |
| Autopsy Assistant | 7 | $48,934 | $12k – $56k | ▲ 800.2% |
| Fire Helicopter Pilot | 7 | $47,509 | $11k – $224k | ▲ 76.9% |
| Graphic Artist | 7 | $47,492 | $47k – $54k | ▼ 0.9% |
| Mail Clerk II | 7 | $43,657 | $27k – $46k | ▲ 17.2% |
| Human Services Aide | 7 | $5,107 | $5k – $13k | ▼ 87.2% |
| Chief Deputy Sheriff-C-M | 6 | $237,240 | $231k – $242k | ▲ 8.3% |
| Fire Captain | 6 | $170,975 | $134k – $208k | ▼ 4.6% |
| Engineer III-C | 6 | $126,886 | $123k – $130k | new |
| Assistant Probation Division Director | 6 | $115,429 | $113k – $117k | ▲ 2.3% |
| Mental Health Nurse II | 6 | $113,541 | $77k – $138k | new |
| Supervising Fire Dispatcher | 6 | $111,932 | $101k – $122k | ▲ 8.9% |
| Public Health Nurse I | 6 | $108,215 | $106k – $114k | ▲ 6.7% |
| Sheriff's Background Investigator II | 6 | $95,822 | $10k – $104k | new |
| Deputy District Attorney II | 6 | $91,106 | $54k – $98k | ▲ 0.1% |
| Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator II | 6 | $80,078 | $60k – $84k | ▲ 3.7% |
| Vocational Nurse I | 6 | $77,077 | $73k – $100k | ▲ 15.6% |
| Program Coordinator | 6 | $76,294 | $66k – $89k | new |
| Youth Care Supervisor | 6 | $74,001 | $47k – $78k | new |
| Child Support Staff Development Specialist | 6 | $61,290 | $51k – $65k | ▲ 20.4% |
| Deputy Clerk of the Board II | 6 | $59,841 | $56k – $64k | ▲ 17.9% |
| Public Health Laboratory Assistant | 6 | $56,205 | $50k – $59k | new |
| Contracts Administration Assistant | 6 | $55,235 | $44k – $62k | ▼ 3.6% |
| Veterans Services Representative I | 6 | $51,325 | $46k – $59k | new |
| Warehouse Supervisor | 6 | $46,727 | $24k – $61k | new |
| Utility Worker | 6 | $45,686 | $29k – $48k | ▲ 35.2% |
| Probation Technician | 6 | $43,741 | $42k – $53k | ▼ 13.0% |
| Seasonal Fire Supervisor | 6 | $35,625 | $7k – $80k | ▼ 64.1% |
| Youth Prevention Specialist II | 6 | $33,732 | $11k – $58k | new |
| Special Deputy Sheriff | 6 | $33,710 | $24k – $79k | ▲ 86.5% |
| Senior Groundskeeper | 6 | $33,426 | $26k – $35k | new |
| Planning Commission Member | 6 | $1,875 | $2k – $2k | ▼ 16.7% |
| Fire Heavy Equipment Specialist II-C | 5 | $214,823 | $192k – $217k | ▲ 12.0% |
| Deputy Fire Chief-C | 5 | $202,211 | $202k – $209k | new |
| Planning Division Chief | 5 | $160,039 | $101k – $162k | new |
| Deputy Chief Information Technology Officer | 5 | $148,356 | $146k – $152k | new |
| Environmental Health Specialist IV | 5 | $135,114 | $133k – $141k | ▼ 2.6% |
| Physical Therapist-California Children Se | 5 | $134,415 | $126k – $135k | ▲ 10.7% |
| Technology Services Manager | 5 | $132,618 | $133k – $134k | ▲ 3.6% |
| Nurse Practitioner | 5 | $131,117 | $120k – $202k | ▼ 28.4% |
| Sheriff's Dispatch Supervisor | 5 | $127,739 | $112k – $132k | ▲ 7.1% |
| Child Support Services Program Manager | 5 | $107,407 | $106k – $109k | ▲ 7.1% |
| Deputy Public Defender II | 5 | $106,887 | $67k – $111k | new |
| Supervising Heavy Equipment Mechanic | 5 | $106,591 | $92k – $116k | ▲ 20.5% |
| Senior Workforce Development Analyst | 5 | $100,343 | $93k – $101k | ▲ 7.9% |
| Senior Human Resources Analyst | 5 | $95,798 | $82k – $100k | ▲ 7.7% |
| Departmental Public Information Officer | 5 | $86,028 | $85k – $89k | ▲ 6.9% |
| Waste Management Specialist II | 5 | $81,215 | $80k – $94k | new |
| Airport Police Officer I | 5 | $78,846 | $58k – $82k | ▲ 85.4% |
| Kern 360 Financial Analyst | 5 | $77,514 | $34k – $80k | new |
| Contract Specialist | 5 | $76,780 | $75k – $79k | ▲ 8.6% |
| Facilities and Services Specialist | 5 | $76,094 | $69k – $78k | ▲ 8.6% |
| Geographic Information Systems Specialist | 5 | $75,080 | $67k – $76k | new |
| Confidential Administrative Assistant | 5 | $74,474 | $68k – $76k | ▲ 2.5% |
| Maintenance Carpenter | 5 | $69,411 | $64k – $79k | ▲ 8.9% |
| Kcera Member Services Analyst | 5 | $69,196 | $52k – $75k | new |
| Patient Rights Advocate | 5 | $68,188 | $63k – $69k | new |
| Supervising Departmental Analyst | 5 | $65,740 | $32k – $70k | new |
| Marketing and Promotions Coordinator | 5 | $65,174 | $64k – $76k | ▲ 8.2% |
| Identification Technician II | 5 | $61,695 | $59k – $66k | ▲ 4.3% |
| Electronic Health Record Specialist | 5 | $60,471 | $47k – $64k | ▲ 4.0% |
| Environmental Health Specialist-in Training | 5 | $57,601 | $5k – $62k | ▲ 4.8% |
| Legal Secretary-Confidential | 5 | $56,814 | $51k – $57k | new |
| Senior Building Services Worker | 5 | $51,577 | $51k – $52k | ▼ 14.5% |
| Office Services Technician-Confidential | 5 | $49,366 | $49k – $51k | ▲ 8.1% |
| Veterinary Assistant | 5 | $46,785 | $46k – $49k | new |
| Engineering Aide | 5 | $39,641 | $33k – $43k | ▲ 28.0% |
| Park Attendant | 5 | $34,980 | $33k – $37k | ▲ 210.6% |
| Firefighter - Overhire | 5 | $34,426 | $30k – $38k | new |
| Automotive Parts Storekeeper II | 5 | $34,393 | $17k – $47k | new |
| Forensic Laboratory Technician I | 5 | $25,856 | $20k – $46k | new |
| Deputy Public Defender I | 5 | $23,886 | $19k – $32k | new |
| Civil Service Commission Member | 5 | $1,725 | $2k – $2k | ▼ 4.2% |
| Parks and Recreation Commission Member | 5 | $150 | $0k – $0k | ▲ 0.0% |
No jobs match.
How many people earn what
- Under $10k623
- $10k – $30k751
- $30k – $50k1,218
- $50k – $70k2,455
- $70k – $90k1,615
- $90k – $110k1,022
- $110k – $150k1,049
- $150k or more851
Includes part-time and seasonal workers, which is why many earn under $10k.
Pay by department
| Department | People | Typical pay |
|---|---|---|
| Human Services | 1,942 | $59,231 |
| Sheriff | 1,512 | $98,264 |
| Mental Health Services | 1,027 | $66,430 |
| Fire | 901 | $123,637 |
| Probation | 711 | $79,879 |
| Public Works-public Ways | 652 | $65,668 |
| Child Support Services | 311 | $53,769 |
| District Attorney | 260 | $62,164 |
| Aging and Adult Services | 243 | $51,091 |
| Library | 230 | $18,966 |
| Public Health | 230 | $63,602 |
| General Services | 223 | $46,355 |
Highest paid at Kern County in 2025
Common questions
How much does a Kern County employee make?
The typical employee was paid $67,624 in 2025: half of the 9,584 people paid earned more, half earned less. Most earned between $48,138 and $99,201.
Why do so many people earn very little?
The list includes everyone who got a paycheck during the year: part-time, seasonal and short-term workers, and people who joined or left partway through. 623 people (6.5%) were paid under $10,000.
Does this include benefits like health insurance or pension?
No. It is the pay people received: regular salary or wages (79.8% of all pay), overtime (9.1%) and extra pay such as allowances, longevity and severance (10.4%).
Where does this data come from, and when is it updated?
From California State Controller's Office (Government Compensation in California) (sco.ca.gov). Our figures match the agency's latest release; the next update is expected in late 2027.
"Typical pay" is the median: half earn more, half earn less. "Most earn" is the middle half of workers. Figures are calculated by PublicPayData from the official dataset; 0 records with $0 or negative pay are left out. How we calculate this · Corrections & removals