Are you interested in working as a California State employee? Have you been wondering about who the highest paid California state employees are? Then you have come to the right place to have these questions answered.
This article analyzes the 15 highest-paid California state employees in 2022, their Careers, job experiences, and average salaries.
Table of contents
How much are California State employees paid?
California state pays its employees an average of $78,732 per year. The salaries of California State employees range from $48,134 to $131,148 per year.
Your career position and educational qualifications will determine how much you earn.
Who is the highest-paid California state employee?
The highest-paid California state employee is Christopher Ailman. He is the Chief Investment Officer in the California State Teachers Recruitment System.
Ailman earns about $567,590 per year and is also listed among the top 30 public pension CIOs in the trusted Insight.
15 Highest-Paid California State Employees
Here are the highest-paid California state employees
#1. CHRISTOPHER AILMAN
As the Chief investor officer in the California state teachers recruitment System ( Calstrs), Christopher Ailman is number one on the list of 15 highest-paid California state employees. He has a net worth of $567, 590. Ailman has over 37 years of experience, having served as CIO since October 2000.
Currently, He is a representative of institutional investors on the Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) index editorial advisory board and the sustainability accounting Standard Board ( SASB).
To further Polish his already shining reputation, he was the CIO at the Washington State board, this was before joining Calstrs.
According to Wikipedia, Christopher Ailman is listed among the Top 30 public pension CIOs in the Trusted insight.
It is no wonder, that his portfolio is valued at $567, 590 and is on the top list of the 15 highest-paid California state employees.
#2. Maria T. Millan
She is President and CEO of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM). Under her leadership, CIRM has built a strong and growing portfolio as a patient-centric funder, partner, accelerator, and de-risker to more than 1,000 projects in basic, translational, and clinical research.
After her education and training at Duke, New Jersey Medical School, Harvard, and Stanford.
Dr. Millan is an Associate Professor and Director of Pediatric Organ Transplantation at Stanford. She then entered the private sector, where she helped start the first human clinical trial using neural stem cells on children affected by a devastating and deadly neurodegenerative disease.
In 2012, Dr. Millan to CIRM, where she led the implementation of CIRM’s unique acceleration model, building an infrastructure to support translational and clinical research, and growing clinical-stage portfolio.
In 2017, she assumed the role of President and CEO, successfully leading the agency in achieving all of its goals under the 5-year strategic plan, including discovering 50 new drug candidates and expanding its clinical pipeline to 76.
Mostly the first studies in humans and the training of hundreds of students and academics in regenerative medicine. In 2020, with the CIRM’s funding drying up, it’s future uncertain.
At the height of the pandemic, she directed the agency to continue its commitment to funding and supporting important scientific and clinical programs.
In November 2020, with CIRM’s renewed approval through the passage of a $5.5 billion bond initiative (Proposal 14), she led the CIRM team to restart its program immediately.
Her highly skilled team expands, develops, and implements a bold strategic plan to accelerate world-class science to provide transformative regenerative medicine therapies in a diverse California. She is one of the highest-paid California State employees, she earns $549,590.
#3. Vernon Steiner
As the president and CEO of, the State Compensation insurance fund, Vernon is one of the highest-paid California state employees in 2022. His income is $535,378.
As a 24-year insurance industry veteran, he oversees an agency with three permanent directors and two interim directors since 2007 and has shrunk significantly since 2010.
The State Fund, as it’s known, is California’s largest workers’ compensation fund. Offerer. Government officials manage a $20 billion fund and invest $1.2 billion in annual policyholder premiums.
Steiner, who has a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from UCLA, worked in product development at Health Net in the mid-1990s.
He then went to American International Group, Inc. (AIG) for nine years in claims adjustment. He eventually became regional vice president of a multi-line claims operation for a 13-state territory.
Mr . Vernon left AIG to join CNA Financial Corp. where he held various senior positions including Vice President of Workers’ Compensation.
He joined Zenith Insurance Company, a fire marine, and casualty insurance company in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles County. In 2007 and was responsible for national claims administration with a particular focus on California.
When the State Fund board hired him, he was senior vice president of claims. Zenith received a patent in January for Steiner and two others co-inventing a system that “determines the probable outcomes of active insurance claims by computing and examining the aggregated outcomes of matching historical claims.
Vernon Steiner has served on the board of directors of the California Workers’ Compensation Institute since 2010 and is the incoming chairman.
Since 2009 he has served on the Advisory Board of the Workers’ Compensation Research Institute.
#4. Yu Ben Meng
Yu ben Meng’s career has been a systematic accumulation of product knowledge of all major asset classes through his various roles.
Culminating in his most recent role as DCIO in the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE) and CIO of the California Public Employees Retirement System and CalPERS, the largest owners of assets in the world and the US.
On the investment horizon, he has in-depth knowledge of fast money investing and experience with asset owners with a time horizon of decades.
He managed groups of assets and led two of the world’s largest asset owners with respectful performance, demonstrating his investment acumen and leadership skills to successfully lead these organizations.
With a salary of $475,955, Yu is one of the highest-paid California state employees in 2022.
#5. Peter V. Lee, JD
He was the CEO of Covered California (the exchange), where he oversees the exchange’s planning, development, and ongoing administration and evaluation.
The State of California established the exchange to support the dramatic expansion of coverage made possible by the Affordable Care.
Before joining the Obama administration, Mr. Lee led the Pacific Business Group on Health (PBGH), one of the nation’s leading coalitions of public and private buyers, first as CEO and then as CEO of Policy National Health. Mr. Lee earns $460,824 making him one of the highest-paid California State employees.
Mr. Lee has served on various boards and commissions, including the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA); the National Quality Forum; the National Health Business Coalition; and as co-chair of the Consumer/Buyer Outreach Project as well as numerous national and state agencies, such as the Crossing the Quality Chasm Summit Committee of the Institute of Medicine and the State Managed Care Improvement Task Force of California.
#6. Eric Baggesen
Next on our highest paid California state employee is Eric Baggesen, the Managing Investment Director of the public employee’s Retirement system who earns $457,980.
Before joining Calpers, Mr Eric worked at State Street Global Advisors for 8 years as the Unit head of emerging markets in the global structure products group.
While working in State Street, he developed the concept and design of the State Street Global Advisors.
In addition, Baggesen is a chartered Alternative Investment Analyst and charted Financial Analyst. He also was the former vice president of Normal L. Barnett & Co.
#7. John Ehnes
As the Chief executive officer/state Teacher’s Retirement in the State of California, he has a reported pay of $456, 728. In 1994, Governor Roy Romer appointed Mr . John was appointed Insurance Commissioner.
Ehnes has a bachelor’s degree from Cornell University and a master’s degree from Vanderbilt University.
He was also a board trustee for the Colorado Public Employees Retirement Association for a year.
Ehnes worked for an NGO ( international Foundation of employee Benefits plan) as a board member. The NGO was concerned with policies and practices addressing Sustainability issues.
Mr. Ehnes served as the Director of Finance and Benefits Division Department of Personnel.
He is presently a member of the World Economic forum. Ehnes is also one of the highest-paid California state employees.
#8. Marjorie Hutchings
Next on our list of 15 highest-paid California State employees in 2022 is Marjorie Hutchings who earns $430,795.
Hutchings became the State Fund’s Chief Information Officer (CIO) in September 2012. She brings 32 years of technology experience and 19 specifics to the insurance industry.
As CIO, Hutchings is responsible for successfully managing the IT organization and overseeing day-to-day operations and high-level technology.
As the team leader responsible for rewriting claims and policy applications for the NextGen project, Marj oversees replacing more than a dozen existing standalone systems with a single software package.
Before joining State Fund, Marj was an original technology team member at a new insurance company whose business strategy was based on delivering superior technology.
Her experience includes working with property and casualty systems, property and casualty rate/quotation/exposition systems, customer-facing online/real-time web platforms, virtualization of production systems, and implementation of private cloud, data, and network security protocols.
/Application standards for Internet-based insurance transactions and active supplier management deliver on-time/on-budget performance.
Marj graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration/Computer Information Systems from Northern Arizona University. She also received the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) Leadership Fellow designation.
#9. Daniel Beinvenue
Mr. Dan is the Managing Director of Global Equity Investments for the California Government Employee Pension Scheme.
He is responsible for implementing and managing the investment policy and strategy for the pension fund’s approximately $160 billion publicly traded equity investments worldwide.
Mr. Bienvenue oversees more than 40 internal global equity associates and outside consultants and advisors who manage CalPERS’ domestic and international equity investments.
Before CalPERS, Daniel Beinvenue was a Principal and Senior Portfolio Manager at Barclays Global Investors, overseeing an international equity portfolio management group responsible for $55 billion across developed and emerging markets.
Before he joined Barclay’s Global Investors (BGI), his professional experience included sales and trading in the analyst program at J.P Morgan Securities in New York.
He joined CalPERS in September 2004 and served as a portfolio manager and senior portfolio manager for internal equities before he was appointed Chief Investment Officer in 2014.
Bienvenue received his BA in economics, cum laude, from the University of California, Davis, where he was an All-American Scholar in wrestling. It also has the letters CFA and CAIA. This highest-paid California State employee earns $413,545.
#10. Scott Chan
Mr. Chan is currently the Deputy Chief investment officer of, the California state teacher’s Retirement system and he earns $403,985.
As the Deputy Chief investment officer, his responsibility is to implement investment strategy and risk, global equities, and private equity.
Chan has a bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of California and a master’s degree in business administration from Duke University Fuqua School of business.
He reports directly to the Chief investment officer, Christopher Ailman. He is an advisory board member of the institutional investor’s Roundtable. In addition, he is one of the highest-paid California State employees.
#11. Stephen Hunckler
Hunckler is the Chief claims operation officer, state compensation insurance fund CCOO and he earns$402,813.
He oversees several operations and activities in the organization such as Claims legal, state contract services, major claims operations, and the claims processing centre.
Hunckler has a B.sc degree in Organizational leadership from Colorado State University.
He is an expert in claim management and customer service relations. Some of his work experience includes; working as senior vice president at State Auto insurance companies, Working at the Balboa Insurance Group, AiG, and CNA insurance companies.
Stephen is one of the highest-paid California state employees so far. Hunckler is one of the highest-paid California State employees.
#12. Brian kelly
Brian Kelly was the first secretary of the new California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA), an agency founded in 2013 and focused solely on transportation.
At CalSTA, Kelly oversaw eight departments, boards, and commissions, 38,000 employees, and an $18.1 billion budget, one of the largest portfolios in the state of California.
At CalSTA, he was responsible for various complex transportation issues that directly affected nearly all Californians, the state’s economy, public safety, highway construction and maintenance, and public transportation.
During his tenure, his many achievements included passing Senate Bill 1 (SB 1), the largest single investment in California’s transportation infrastructure, advancing the nation’s first state regulation allowing testing and deployment of autonomous Vehicles, and beginning construction of the nation’s first high-speed rail system in California’s Central Valley.
Before that, Kelly had spent nearly two decades at the centre of major transportation policy decisions in California, serving four consecutive Senate Presidents Pro Tempore.
From 2008 to 2012 he was Executive Staff Director to Senate President Pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg.
He was Senior Executive Consultant to Senate Pro Tempore President Don Perata from 2004 to 2008, Senior Consultant to Senate Pro Tempore President John Burton from 1998 to 2004, and Assistant Counsel to Senate Pro Tempore President Bill Lockyer from 1995 to 1998.
Kelly earns an income of $394,609, making him one of the highest-paid California State employees.
#13. Marcie Frost
Another individual on our list is Marcie Frost, who earns $390,876, she’s one of the highest-paid California state employees in 2022. As CEO, Marcie oversees an annual budget of $1.8 billion, an experienced team of 2,800 professionals, and three lines of business for the fund: pensions, healthcare benefits, and investments.
In 2013, Marcie was appointed by Washington State Governor Jay Inslee as the Cabinet Secretary for Results Washington’s performance and accountability system.
She served as one of the early creators and Architects of the platform that sets goals and advances in education, the state’s economy, sustainable energy, healthy and safe communities, and efficient government.
Marcie was an ex officio voting member of the Washington State Board of Investments and President for four years before joining CalPERS.
#14. Arnold Philips
As the Managing director of the Public Employees Retirement System, Arnold earns $389,155. He is one of the highest-paid California state employees. He brings 33 years of experience to his role.
Mr Arnold is responsible for the management of approximately $110 billion in fixed income assets comprised primarily of investment grade high yield corporate securities, foreign debt, mortgage-backed securities, and US Treasuries.
Arnie has held various positions within the Global Fixed Income Group, including Short Duration Fixed Income Portfolio Manager between 2001 and 2005.
In 2005 he assumed his current position focusing on structured securities Investments. Previously, he held other senior positions in the Investment Office, managing various fixed income total return portfolios focused on structured securities.
Arnold holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration (finance) with a minor in economics from Sacramento State University. He earned the Chartered Financial Analyst designation and Certified Cash Manager certification.
#15. Morton Rosenberg
Morton is the last on our list, he works as the statewide Dental Director C•E•A, inmate Dental Services Program Division of Correctional Health Care Services. He earns $319,466, which makes him one of the highest-paid California State employees in 2022.
FAQs
California state pays its employees an average of $78,732 per year.
The highest-paid California state employee is Christopher Ailman. He is the Chief Investment Officer in the California State Teachers Recruitment System.
Ailman earns about $567,590 per year.
CONCLUSION
These are our 15 highest-paid California State employees in 2022. If you truly desire to pursue a career working as a California State employee, endeavour to follow up on some of these individuals. I hope you found this article helpful.
REFERENCE
- https://hsr.ca.gov/about/board-of-directors/board-members/brian-kelly/
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherailman
- https://www.calstrs.com/scott-chan
- https://www.calpers.ca.gov/page/about/organization/executive-officers/marcie-frost
- https://www.calpers.ca.gov/page/investments/about-investment-office/investment-office-senior-team/arnie-phillips
- Image source: The Business journals
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