Among California’s post-secondary institutions in 2024, the University of the Pacific ranked 20th in coach salaries, according to the U.S. Department of Education.
Data indicates the University of the Pacific provided an average salary of $133,824 to its coaches, with the top salary at $181,870
The University of Southern California led the state in 2024 by offering the highest average coaching salary of $959,264
In 2024, the average coaching salary across California’s post-secondary schools was $91,045, marking a 5% rise from $86,737 the previous year
A Knight Commission report projects that within a decade, some Power 5 football coaches will earn more than their schools spend on scholarships and medical care for all athletes. The study estimates more than $1 billion in new annual revenue from the expanded College Football Playoff and media rights deals. By 2032, nearly half of public Power 5 schools could reach this ‘crossover point.’
Incomplete data provided by post-secondary institutions can sometimes skew salary data.
| Institution | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| The University of Southern California | $959,264 |
| The University of California-Los Angeles | $718,416 |
| San Diego State University | $503,341 |
| The University of California-Berkeley | $469,908 |
| Stanford University | $441,828 |
| California State University-Fresno | $271,744 |
| Saint Mary’s College of California | $239,472 |
| The University of San Francisco | $235,575 |
| San Jose State University | $227,636 |
| California Baptist University | $215,062 |
Information in this story was obtained from the U.S. Department of Education. The source data can be found here.
