Compensation in cannabis has matured significantly as the industry has grown. What once was a Wild West of salary negotiation has evolved into more standardized ranges—though significant variation exists by market, company size, and experience level.
**Retail Positions**
**Budtender**: $15-$22/hour ($31,000-$46,000 annually) - Entry-level positions start at the lower end - Experienced budtenders with strong sales performance command higher rates - Some dispensaries offer commission or bonus structures
**Inventory Specialist**: $18-$25/hour ($37,000-$52,000 annually) - Requires attention to detail and compliance knowledge - Familiarity with seed-to-sale systems is valuable
**Dispensary Manager**: $50,000-$75,000 - P&L responsibility typically commands higher compensation - High-volume locations often pay premium rates
**General Manager**: $65,000-$100,000 - Multi-location oversight increases compensation - Bonus structures tied to performance are common
**Cultivation Positions**
**Cultivation Technician**: $16-$24/hour ($33,000-$50,000 annually) - Entry point for cultivation careers - IPM certification or similar credentials add value
**Lead Grower**: $55,000-$80,000 - Responsible for specific rooms or grow phases - Often supervises technicians
**Master Cultivator**: $75,000-$150,000+ - Ultimate responsibility for cultivation operations - Top performers at large facilities command premium compensation - Equity or profit-sharing arrangements increasingly common
**Processing Positions**
**Extraction Technician**: $45,000-$70,000 - Certification and safety training are valuable - Hydrocarbon experience often commands premium
**Lab Director**: $85,000-$140,000 - Advanced degrees (chemistry, food science) expected - Regulatory experience adds value
**Corporate Positions**
**Compliance Officer**: $70,000-$120,000 - Multi-state experience is particularly valuable - C-level compliance roles at large MSOs exceed this range
**HR Director**: $80,000-$130,000 - Cannabis-specific HR experience is rare and valuable - Multi-state operations require higher compensation
**CFO**: $150,000-$300,000+ - Public company experience commands premium - Equity compensation is common
**Market Variations**
Compensation varies significantly by market: - **California**: Higher salaries but higher cost of living - **Colorado**: Mature market with more standardized pay - **Emerging Markets (NY, NJ, OH)**: Premium pay to attract talent to new operations
When setting compensation, research your specific market and competitor practices.