Plumas County’s salary study shows most employee pay falls behind similar counties in California. Only 20% of the 140 positions compared matched or exceeded median pay in nine nearby counties.
Human Resources Director Josh Mizrahi shared the study with the Board of Supervisors on August 18. The 250-page report, prepared by Regional Government Services, examined 206 job categories but focused on 140 with enough data for comparison.
The study ranked jobs as above, competitive with, or below median pay in counties like Amador, Colusa, and Lassen. Supervisors in Plumas County earn 17.5% more than peers in these counties. Their top monthly salary is $5,465, second only to Colusa County.
The payment Plumas County’s elected supervisors receive is in the “above” category. Top base salary is 17.5% higher than the average top payment in comparable counties, according to the RGS study. The maximum monthly salary for a Plumas County supervisor is $5,465. Only Colusa County pays more — $6,390 a month. In Lassen County the highest monthly salary for a supervisor is $3,313, the lowest for the nine counties included in the study.
Just three other positions exceeded the median: a behavioral health substance use disorder counselor, a behavioral health quality improvement compliance manager, and a mechanic/shop technician.
Sixteen of 26 department heads earn less than median pay. The treasurer-tax collector and county auditor salaries lag by 35%. The assessor’s pay trails by nearly 35%, the sheriff-coroner by 34%, and the clerk-recorder by 33%. The airport manager’s pay falls 40% below comparable positions.
Some department heads, including directors of planning, social services, public health, and the county administrative office, earn competitive salaries.
The study also compares pay for confidential staff, health and human services, midmanagement, probation, sheriff, and contract employees.
Regional Government Services recommends adopting salaries above the market, holding steady for those within 5% of median, and creating a multiyear plan to raise salaries falling below the median.
Supervisors asked county staff to review the report and prepare salary recommendations for the 2026-2027 budget, due in September.
What steps will Plumas County take to close pay gaps? How will this affect employee retention and recruitment? Your voice matters in shaping the county’s compensation future.
