Compensation for City Employees & Officials

Compensation Transparency


The City of Rancho Santa Margarita embraces a philosophy of openness and transparency, and as such, provides compensation information of elected and appointed officials and City staff. The following information is based on a disclosure model provided by the Orange County Grand Jury Report (PDF).

The compensation schedule for City Council members and City employees with a base salary of over $100,000 for the fiscal year is provided below. This is what is recommended to be disclosed by the Orange County model.

FY 2018/19 Compensation Information

(a) Includes retirement contributions, fees, deferred compensation, incentive bonuses, auto allowance, and pay in lieu of time off. (b) City Council pension costs represent the contribution to a Deferred Compensation plan required by State law in lieu of a contribution to Social Security.
Position Salary Other Pay(a)
 Insurance Premiums
 Pension Costs(b)
 Total Compensation
Council Member $5,562 $18,852 $0 $690 $25,104
Council Member $3,244 $9,426 $0 $345 $13,015
Council Member $5,562 $18,373 $479 $690 $25,104
Council Member $5,562 $18,852 $0 $690 $25,104
Council Member $5,562 $18,852 $0 $690 $25,104
Council Member $2,781 $6,283 $3,143 $345 $12,552
City Manager $220,957 $23,923 $258 $18,814 $263,952
Development Services Director $174,046
 $19,485 $1,136 $14,879 $209,546
Finance Director $173,783
 $22,471 $1,316 $14,847 $212,417
HR/RM Administrator $126,885 $4,269
 $18,852 $10,864 $160,870
Public Works Director/City Engineer $117,998 $1,080 $18,852 $8,711 $146,631
Public Works Director/City Engineer $95,115 $7,478 $10,997 $6,171 $119,761
Acctg/Budget Supervisor $114,256 $12,279 $8,999 $21,970 $157,504
City Clerk $115,434 $20,474 $0 $9,872 $145,780
Public Works Superintendent $108,647 $1,926 $18,852 $8,084 $137,509

All City Employees


Access the salary information for all City employees and elected officials in the Compensation Schedule (PDF).