City Of Lake Elsinore's Payroll Exceeded $13 Million In 2025, Wildomar's $5 Million, State Records Show

LAKE ELSINORE, CA — Lake Elsinore spent more than $13 million on city employee wages in 2025, while Wildomar spent over $5 million, according to a report released Tuesday by the California State Controller's Office.

The annual report is released to enhance government transparency and provide a single, publicly accessible statewide database.

According to the report, $13,652,879 in total wages were paid out in Lake Elsinore last year, with the 10 highest earning officials compensated between $413,515 and $210,488:

In Wildomar, $5,137,763 in total wages were paid out last year, with the 10 highest earning officials compensated between $256,300 and $148,935:

The number of city employees on the payroll in 2025 stood at 60 in Wildomar, with the average wage at $85,629. In Lake Elsinore, 184 city employees were on the payroll in last year, with the average wage at $74,200, according to the report.

Amounts documented by the controller's office include base pay, overtime and lump sum disbursals, which are often tied to banked vacation and sick leave time that went unused, sometimes for years, then cashed out. The full data is available at publicpay.ca.gov.

Lake Elsinore and Wildomar city council members are compensated but are not classified as city employees. According to the state controller's report, no Lake Elsinore council member was paid more than $19,200 in 2025. In Wildomar, $16,800 was the highest compensation.

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View Riverside County's Highest Paid Workers In 2025: CA State Controller's Report