Workforce Insights: Orange County Professional (Corporate Teams)

Our workforce insights provide a data-driven snapshot of current labor market conditions, helping employers and job seekers understand how economic trends, hiring demand, and compensation benchmarks intersect. Informed by regional market data and employer activity, these insights highlight key employment trends, in-demand roles, and evolving workforce dynamics. Paired with our salary guide, they offer practical context around pay expectations, market competitiveness, and workforce planning decisions.

This report provides a detailed overview of salary ranges, employment figures, and workforce trends for key industrial roles, offering insights into local hiring landscapes. It supports employers and HR professionals in workforce planning and salary benchmarking by highlighting regional dynamics and industry-specific data. ● Employment growth projected at 4.8%, remaining above national average ● Tech employment growth moderates to 2–2.5% YoY as companies prioritize efficiency and AI integration ● Job gains led by healthcare, professional services, and business support roles Employment Growth ● Ongoing effects of California’s $20 fast-food minimum wage continue to influence wage benchmarks ● Employers in adjacent industries face upward pressure on entry-level and hourly pay Minimum Wage Increase ● Median salary across roles increases to $85,000/year ● Ongoing effects of California’s $20 fast-food minimum wage continue to influence wage benchmarks ● Wage growth continues at a cautious pace, constrained by persistent housing and cost-of-living pressures ● Increased focus on automation and workforce optimization to offset labor costs Wage Trends PROFESSIONAL STAFFING Workforce Insights: Orange County, CA Salaries, Employment Trends, and Key Industry Data ● Orange County GDP growth projected at 2.2–2.6%, signaling steady but moderate expansion ● Ongoing investment in: a. Technology and AI-enabled business operations b. Healthcare infrastructure and outpatient facilities c. Clean energy and sustainability-focused projects Economic Growth & Trends SB 294 – Workplace Know Your Rights Act Notices ● Starting Feb 1, 2026, employers must provide an annual “Know Your Rights” notice to employees. ● Must cover workers’ comp, immigration protections, union/concerted activity, and rights during law enforcement interactions. ● Must be provided in the employee’s workplace communication language. ● Employees must be able to designate an emergency contact by March 30, 2026. Why that impacts salary: Adds compliance workload and accelerates onboarding/policy standardization. SB 617 – Cal-WARN Notice Updates ● Effective Jan 1, 2026, Cal-WARN notices must include expanded required details. ● Must include local workforce board coordination info and CalFresh assistance contacts. ● If coordinating services, employers must arrange them within 30 days. Why that impacts salary: Increases risk and admin demands during workforce reductions. Legislation Insights

Clerical & Admin Low Medium High Number Employed Administrative Assistants $47,024 $56,240 $65,480 18,249 Marketing Specialists $63,766 $75,323 $88,928 10,689 Office Coordinators $57,200 $75,504 $83,408 17,829 Project Managers $52,816 $82,160 $100,672 16,684 Customer Service Rep $37,,632 $42,328 $63,864 20,646 Finance & Accounting Low Medium High Number Employed Accountants $65,208 $92,352 $102,752 18,733 Controllers $102,347 $140,936 $186,596 10,661 Payroll Specialists $55,884 $65,854 $76,922 2,370 AP Manager/AR Manager $89,954 $108,910 $139,362 3,097 Bookkeepers $46,641 $54,468 $67,585 2,179 Human Resources Low Medium High Number Employed Benefits Analysts $77,376 $104,832 $123,240 1,062 CHRO $112,648 $149,968 $193,550 3,438 HRIS Analysts $77,864 $92,724 $109,896 4,845 HR Directors $109,583 $129,968 $177,736 2,618 Talent Acquisition Partner $68,888 $81,717 $98,904 10,453 IT Low Medium High Number Employed Help Desk Representatives $50,759 $62,543 $77,538 6,419 Systems & Network Engineers $86,306 $103,938 $124,202 1,169 Software Engineers $108,056 $149,448 $170,248 17,662 IT Security Analysts $87,568 $118,144 $137,904 1,440 IT Managers $107,192 $124,184 $1477,896 7,379 By leveraging these insights, businesses can make decisions to remain competitive in a dynamic labor market, align compensation with market realities, and address staffing challenges proactively. The salaries listed are estimates and may vary based on experience, location, and industry demand.