California Code, Government Code - GOV § 68500.5

The annual salary of the Administrative Director of the Courts shall be set by the chairperson of the Judicial Council and shall be no less than the salary of a judge of the court of appeal, and shall be paid out of appropriations for the support of the Judicial Council.

The salary of a judge of a court of appeal means the salary of a judge first appointed to the court of appeal after January 1, 1982.